2008 Other Office Placement Schemes
We have two placement opportunities commencing September 2008 in our Milton Keynes and Oxford Offices. These placements are available to students on four-year sandwich degree programmes and run from September 2008 to July 2009.

You will be treated in exactly the same way as our first year graduate intake, including salary. You will commence your ACA training, attend our in-house training courses and work on an exciting range of clients. We expect a lot from our placement students: Enthusiasm, professionalism, taking personal responsibility, being client focused, principled and independence of thought. Equally you will have the opportunity to work with and learn from a highly successful team of professionals, develop your commercial awareness, client skills and team skills.

About Mazars
We are independent, integrated and international. Mazars is one of Europe's largest accounting firms with a huge global presence. In Europe we are one of the largest accounting firms. Mazars is the 5th largest firm in six European countries, including France.

We work with a wide range of clients - from individuals to local businesses to large corporate companies and global organisations - across many sectors.

Our team has one common goal - to focus on our client's agendas and deliver value through a personal touch backed by big experience.

What will I be doing?
Your placement will be in our regional audit team. The Chilterns region comprises Bedford, Milton Keynes and Oxford offices and our Audit team works across these offices to ensure the best service is given to clients. As an example, our Milton Keynes placement student could work on jobs led from the Bedford or Oxford office. As such you will need to be flexible in your approach and be able to drive!

In addition to audit and assurance, Chilterns region provides a huge variety of services to our clients. This ranges from corporate finance, transaction support and tax to business process improvement consultancy.

During your placement you will gain exposure to these services and we will also offer you the opportunity to work shadow senior team members in at least 2 other service lines.

This regional approach means that our people get exposed to a wide range of clients in terms of size and industry. A few examples of our diverse client base is set out below:

Client 1 - this company is the world's largest corporate aircraft charter company with 23 offices in 15 different countries. The company is fully listed on the London Stock Exchange and has income of £186m in the last financial year.

Client 2 - this company is a leading provider in high value asset rental in the transport sector such as trucks, buses & coaches, forklifts and refrigerated vehicles. The company remains in private ownership and had turnover of £136m in the last financial year.

Client 3 - this client is a subsidiary of a listed bank and provides a spectrum of innovative investment products for institutions, private investors and mutual funds. We work with them client on their investment property portfolio of c. £500m.

Client 4 - this client covers all branches in the London region of a large national charity in the religious sector. The charity provides a vast range of services including bible school education, bookshops, nurseries and missions.

Client 5 - this client is growing owner managed car dealership with turnover in the region of £9m. The dealership sells new and used cars as well as servicing and parts.

You will be doing the work of a first year trainee so you will frequently be out at clients, working as part of the on site team to carry out the audit. With our support we expect everyone to make a contribution and this will be no different for our placement students.

ACA Training and support
You will be fully supported to commence your ACA training during your placement year. Attending college and sitting exams with your fellow students and graduate trainees you will sit the Accounting and Audit and Assurance examinations in your placement year. For more information concerning the ACA go to http://www.icaew.com/.

Study leave is given for courses and examinations and all aspects of examination training is funded by Mazars. All you need to do is work hard and pass your exams. To help you, we will have a 'buddy' during your placement year who will be in the year above you. They can't sit the exams for you but they can steer you in the right direction in terms of problems you may face.

Skills for Business
Skills for Business is our in-house development programme for our graduate intake. You will attend the same courses as graduate trainees in your placement year, Skills for Business 1 and 2. Each module is residential and last approximately a week. You will meet and work with our national graduate trainees (c 80 of them) from our 18 offices across the UK.

The purpose of Skills for Business is to equip you with the knowledge and skills you will need in the role, complimenting your ACA studies. It gives you a chance to practice and learn in a friendly supportive environment. SFB 1 focuses on getting to know the Firm, our strategy, our clients and our approach. In addition you will cover an introduction to financial statements, accounting principles and our Audit system. At SFB 2 you will cover auditing tools and techniques, key audit sections (sales, purchases, debtors and creditors), more about Mazars and our range of services and time management and communication.

How else will we support you?
• During your placement we will also support you with your final year project to ensure you get the most out of your time with us.

• You will have a buddy (a second year student) who will help you understand how we do things. They will be there to answer any questions on day to day issues and can help you with any challenges you might face

• Feedback: We believe that continuous feedback is the best way to learn. You will receive feedback on each job you work on and will have 2 appraisal review during your time with us.

• Mentor: Our regional placement scheme is sponsored by an Audit Partner. He will meet with you during your placement and ensure that you are progressing. He can also give you support and advice about your longer term career. We hope you will want to return to us following your final year at University.

• The salary for the 11 month placement is £20,000 pa.
• We will also consider sponsorship for your final year at University. Depending on your performance during your placement there is an opportunity for us to provide financial sponsorship for your final year.

How do I apply?
The application and selection process for these positions is the same as our graduate scheme. Please apply online at www.mazars.co.uk. We are looking for candidates with a minimum of 280 UCAS points and grade B or above at both GCSE Maths and English.

We advise you to get your application in to us as early as possible, giving you the best chance of success.
If your application is successful you will be asked to take some online verbal and numerical tests and if completed successfully you will be invited to a first interview. We are looking for people who are committed to a career in accountancy and who have strong communication and team skills.

Is there a deadline for applications?
The deadline for applications for these two positions is 6 June 2008.