School Leaver Program (Jan 2025)

Are you ready to open doors?  

Well, you’re in the right place! There is no better place to start a career than at SW. We are a progressive advisory and accounting firm with an 85-year history in Australia. In 2025, we are offering a brand new program for school leavers – providing a unique pathway into the accounting industry.

The School Leaver program combines work with structured education through TAFE or University. This allows you to earn while you’re learning and apply concepts learnt through education in the workplace, fast tracking your career.

During the program you will work on real client work be a part of SW leading learning and development program and of course have fun events!

Apply now, join the Australia’s best kept accounting secret and experience what it's like to be part of a team that leads the way and creates opportunities every day!

School Leaver at SW: Choose your pathway.

As a School Leaver, you create your own pathway, putting you in the driver’s seat of your career. You can choose between two exciting divisions. Our Business Private Client Advisory division and our Assurance and Advisory division.

You can also select between a University pathway or Non-Degree Pathway

Non-Degree pathway: Fast track your career with little to no HECS debt! During your 2- year undergraduate program you will undertake Tafe study and Foundations training through CAANZ give you strong foundations into the accounting world, whilst gaining hands on experience. 

University Pathway: During your 2-year undergraduate program you will take on a mixture of full-time and part-time work incorporating your university studies of accounting whilst getting hands on experience in the accounting world.

Join SW, a hidden Gem in the world of accounting: 

• Be a part of a recognised leader in Graduate and Internship programs winning numerous awards since 2016!
• Join a firm that is growing and open to change and disruption in today’s economy
• Accelerate your career with SW sponsoring your Chartered Accountant studies
• Extra leave days, matched time, and dedicated Wellness Wing to encourage your work-life balance
• Weekly team lunches, regular social events and offsites to foster a positive work culture
• Receive $500 wardrobe supplement to go towards your professional attire
• We believe in building meaningful relationships with our people from the moment we first connect
• Dedicated buddy to guide you through the program and show you the ropes

About us: Australia’s best kept accounting secret

In Australia, we operate in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth with over 400 people and 41 Partners nationally. Taking the lead, SW joined the rapidly growing ShineWing International Network, one of the world’s leading organisations of independently owned and managed advisory and accounting firms. With access to a global network and a team of over 12,000 professionals, 490+ Partners, in 95+ offices, across 19 countries and regions, we work together to open doors to opportunity in Australia, Asia and across the world.

We have been recognised as a Graduate and Intern Employer of choice in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 as compiled by the Australian Association of Graduate Employers (AAGE) and the Australian Financial Review. Haven’t heard of us? The answer is simple: we’ve been quietly and diligently working behind the scenes, focusing on growth and expansion into new markets and locations while continuing to serve our established clients with dedication.

Business & Private Client Advisory 

Our Business and Private Client Advisory Division works with a range of small, medium and large private businesses and family groups, along with some not-for-profit and foreign owned businesses. Our team offers a wide variety of services to clients who operate in a range of industries including property, education, hospitality & gaming, accommodation, agribusiness and automotive.  

 Responsibilities

• Preparing tax returns
• Processing tax office correspondence
• Preparing Business Activity Statements
• Preparing financial statements
• And more!

Assurance and Advisory

Our Assurance and Advisory Division’s core services are traditional external audit and internal audit services, with an IT advisory offering. This team gets the opportunity to work on a broad range of clients and industries; working with and learning from different Partners, Managers and team members. For our Graduates this means the opportunity to work across all streams and select a specialisation once they have depth of experience. With the opportunity to be based at our client’s site, our Graduates will see first-hand what it means to run a business.

Responsibilities

• Preparing audit work papers
• Examining financial statements
• Preparing stocktakes
• Going to client sites
• Building relationships with clients
• And more!

Who we’re looking for:

• You’re entrepreneurial and passionate about making a difference and opening doors to new opportunities for our clients
• You’re energetic about putting knowledge into practice
• You’re unique, one of a kind, and bring a different perspective – we value diversity of thought and a growth mindset
• You’re authentic, empathetic and a team-player who thrives in a collaborative environment
• You’re completing year 12 or have completed year 12 last year and are planning to/are studying an accounting degree/ Tafe
• Achieved 80 or above ATAR
• Applicants must be a citizen of, or hold permanent residency in, Australia or New Zealand

Join a growing firm that will open doors to growth and opportunities where you can make your own journey and love your work.