Graduate Programme, Restructuring & Recovery Services - London (Sept 2026)

At S&W, we help our clients thrive by simplifying the complex, illuminating new paths, and shaping solutions that make a difference. As one of the UK’s top 10 fastest-growing accountancy firms, we have been a trusted partner since 1881—helping businesses and individuals meet challenges and seize opportunities across generations.

Built on expertise and driven by ambition, we provide a comprehensive range of services, including tax and accountancy, advisory and assurance, corporate finance, and restructuring. We are defined by our purpose—to help navigate challenges, unlock potential, and achieve the extraordinary.

Introduction to the Restructuring and Recovery Services team at S&W

S&W’s restructuring and insolvency practitioners combine in-depth expertise and broad experience to provide assistance to a range of clients facing financial difficulties.

Our team aims to recover value for our clients’ creditors – through our advisory services, negotiations relating to business structuring, debt restructuring or formal insolvency. In many cases, we act as a bridge between key stakeholders to appraise practical solutions.

What will you be doing?

The graduate’s role is to support experienced staff with insolvency case management and compliance with both legal and best practice requirements. You will gain working knowledge of all regulatory and statutory requirements, including statements of Insolvency Practice and other best practice, Risk Management and Anti-Money Laundering requirements.

Your responsibilities will include:

Client contact

• Occasional client contact in conjunction with more senior staff.
• Dealing with creditor and other enquiries relating to insolvency cases
• Dealing with external agents and advisers (primarily lawyers) on routine matters

Technical

• Perform work in line with legal and best practice requirements
• Maintain physical and electronic records in formal insolvency cases
• Understand and appreciate key commercial aspects of the insolvent company’s business.

Organisational

• Manage case portfolios, in compliance with statutory, regulatory, and internal procedures
• Report to senior staff on a regular basis, including preparation of monthly case reviews
• Liaise with more senior staff regarding any issues to identify and implement best solutions
• Review information analytics to facilitate case strategy or to fulfil reporting requirements
• Collect and sell assets with the assistance of agents
• Draft documents required for statutory processes (e.g. notices of general meeting, circulars to creditors, progress reports)
• Draft routine case correspondence
• Support clerical tasks, such as file maintenance, telephone/email creditor enquiries, preparation of minutes etc

To be successful in this role, you should:

• Be committed to working towards the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) level 7 professional qualification
• Have obtained or be predicted a minimum 2:2 degree, in any discipline
• A Level: Minimum 112 UCAS points in three subjects (or equivalent), excluding General Studies
• GCSE: Minimum Grade 5 (or equivalent), in English Language and Maths respectively

Learning & Development

You’ll be supported in completing your qualification; gaining the finance knowledge, accountancy skills and real-world business experience to jumpstart your career in accountancy, tax and business advisory. And you won’t do it alone - you’ll be joining as part of a cohort with your own personal support network, including a buddy to offer first-hand experience. Your qualification training will be supported by a leading UK training provider, and you’ll be given the space and time to study whilst developing a variety of skills to become a well-rounded advisor. You’ll receive guidance and support each step of the way by our dedicated Learning & Development team and training contact for your department to make sure you have everything you need to realise your potential from day one.   

As a colleague here at S&W you will have access to benefits that include:

• Fully funded training towards professional qualifications
• Competitive salary
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Pension contribution
• Generous holiday package
• Option to purchase additional holiday
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Eye care support
• Shared parental leave

We are proud to value the differences that a diverse workforce brings, representative of society and our clients. At S&W we have a wide range of highly active employee resource groups and we’re delivering multiple diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the organisation. It is our commitment to provide a workspace where all colleagues, regardless of identity, background, or circumstance, feel respected as individuals and feel that they can achieve their full potential and work in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.

We are happy to make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate for your needs throughout the application process. Please let your Recruiter know.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION

When you click on the ‘I’m interested’ button you’ll be taken to your profile page. We’re in the process of updating it but in the meantime:

• We can only accept one application to any of our programmes in a recruitment season. If you are unsuccessful, you will need to wait until the next September when we re-open applications for the following year.
• Under the ‘Experience’ section, if you do not have any experience please enter ‘N/A’ into the ‘Title’ text box and choose a random end and start date
• Under the ‘Education’ section you do NOT need to include all your education details as we’ll ask for this separately once you’ve completed your profile. All you need to do is fill in the ‘Institution’ (aka University) question which is mandatory. If you have more than one degree please include your latest one.
• Under the ‘Resume’ (aka CV) section, it is mandatory for you to upload a document, however, it will not be formally reviewed.
• The ‘Message to Hiring Manager’ text box is NOT mandatory and will not be formally reviewed.