12-Month Placement Programme, Forensics - London (July 2026)

Company Description

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 Forensics team at S&W

With a distinctive range of expertise and extensive links to the legal profession, we provide forensic services across numerous disciplines for both corporate and private clients. Our partners are acknowledged leaders in their own fields and combine this expertise with an understanding of the legal process and experience of acting as Expert Witnesses.

Our team offers forensic accounting and forensic technology services on a wide range of contentious matters including dispute resolution, fraud and bribery investigations, private client disputes, personal injury claims, and Monitoring Trustee and Competition Services, both in the UK and internationally.

What will you be doing?

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented student to join our placement programme in Forensics. This programme offers an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience by working on projects across a range of forensic services, such as fraud and financial crime, and commercial disputes. You will work alongside experienced professionals, contributing to real cases and developing valuable skills and knowledge to help build your future career.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Gaining more of an understanding of the various different types of services offered within the Forensic Services department.
• Assisting with and undertaking analysis of financial documents such as financial statements, bank statements and other sources of information, including for example researching and using available data sources to bolster analysis.
• Documenting analysis conducted.
• Assisting with the review of documents to establish relevance of documentation to a matter.
• Fact-checking of reports and calculations prepared by other members of the team.
• Taking ownership of allocated tasks and being accountable for the quality of the work undertaken.

To be successful in this role, you should:

• Be in your penultimate year of university
• On course for at least a predicted 2:2 degree, in any discipline
• A Level: Minimum 112 UCAS points in top three A Levels (or equivalent), excluding General Studies
• GCSE: Minimum Grade 5 (or equivalent), in English Language and Maths respectively

We believe that diverse perspectives and experiences are the cornerstone of our success. At S&W, you'll find an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is evident in our active employee resource groups and ongoing initiatives. We’re dedicated to creating a workplace where you can thrive and reach your full potential.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the application process. Please don’t hesitate to discuss your needs with your recruiter.

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.