Risk Assurance and Advisory Assistant

Menzies LLP is looking for candidates to join its Risk Assurance and Advisory Graduate programme on a fixed-term contract based in the Manchester Office. The firm talks about brighter thinking, blending finance expertise with strategic insight, and lives by the values Inspire, Innovate, Collaborate and Empathise. It has been recognised by JobCrowd.com as one of the Best Graduate and Apprenticeship Employers for the last five years.

The role is designed for graduates who want to begin a career in accountancy by supporting not-for-profit and public sector clients with governance, risk management and internal controls. You’ll receive a structured development plan and support to study toward a recognised qualification, with the option to pursue ACCA or CIA, building a solid base for a long-term career. The position starts in January 2027 and is based onsite in Manchester.

A day in risk assurance and advisory

The team helps clients pursue objectives by strengthening governance and risk processes, delivering assurance and advisory services that aid decision making and performance. Much of the work centres on not-for-profit and public sector organisations, assessing how risks are managed, how operations run, and whether existing processes could be improved.

Work spans board-level governance, strategic planning and value for money, and touches on HR, health and safety and frontline operations. It complements the client’s financial-control work performed by their corporate auditors, giving you a broad view of how organisations stay compliant and efficient.

As part of this opportunity, the firm provides full support to study toward ACCA or CIA, helping you establish a strong foundation for progression in the field. Please note this role is due to start in January 2027 and is based onsite at the Manchester Office.

What you’ll bring to the team

We’re looking for people who are collaborative and ready to take on new challenges.

Must-haves

• A collaborative mindset and the motivation to tackle new tasks
• A 2:2 undergraduate degree in any discipline
• At least two A-levels with grades A–C plus one more A level or an equivalent qualification
• Five GCSEs at grades A*-C or 9-4, including Maths and English
• The ability to learn quickly and adapt to new information
• A comfort with numbers and a keen eye for detail
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to explain financial information in a way that is easy to understand

Nice-to-haves

• An interest in pursuing ACCA or CIA with the firm’s study support
• Any prior exposure to governance, risk management or internal controls
• Experience working in teams or on collaborative projects beyond coursework
• An interest in working with not-for-profit or public sector clients

Pay, benefits and the practical details

The role offers £26,230 per year on a fixed-term contract, based onsite at the Manchester Office.

Benefits include an agile working policy and a dress-for-your-day approach, 23.5 days of holiday plus bank holidays, structured career development plans, a CSR programme and social events, and access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for confidential support 24/7. You can read more about the benefits package here: Menzies Employee Benefits.

The company notes that the role is due to start in January 2027 and will be carried out onsite in Manchester. There is full support to study toward ACCA or CIA as part of the programme.

Advice for applicants

For your resume, open with your degree details and make the 2:2 requirement clear, then include your GCSEs and A-levels so the baseline is easy to verify at a glance. Show a concrete example where you collaborated with others and where you handled data or financial information with care.

When you present must-have skills, back them with short, specific stories: a team project where you contributed to meeting a deadline, a task that demanded precise number work, and an explanation you gave to someone without a finance background that helped them understand a concept.

In interviews, be ready to discuss governance or risk ideas you’ve encountered in coursework or internships, and how you would approach helping not-for-profit clients. If you have any relevant coursework or volunteer experience, bring it up with specifics about the impact you had.

Ask a thought-provoking question about study support for ACCA or CIA and how the Risk Assurance and Advisory team collaborates with not-for-profit organisations in practice.