WORK HERE

There is opportunity in the bucket load, across the whole spectrum of Accountancy and Operational
Support; Audit, Tax, Deals, Outsourcing, Wealth, Tech & High Growth and Law, as well as an
operational infrastructure like no other.

Whether you are a student looking to build out valuable industry experience in a Placement Year or a
School Leaver/Graduate looking to jump start your career in a Level 7 Apprenticeship? Perhaps
you’ve got experience from part or post qualification to Partner but you want to excel yourself
further!

Well, we have something for you, and we’re never shy of doing things differently here.

We’re proud to be the UK’s largest accountancy B Corp, joining the business movement tackling
society’s greatest challenges and we’re on a mission to take everything you thought you knew about
accountants and flip it on its head – grey suits and all.

Why are we doing it? To Disrupt. To Lead. And to Make Life Count for our people and our clients.
But what is it really like to work here at Cooper Parry?

OUR ENVIRONMENT

We’ve created workspaces that our people can’t wait to walk into. Making our people feel motivated,
ready to get stuck in and do their best work.

Never underestimate the power of colour. Just a splash of the right shade can energise, inspire and
motivate. And that’s why when you step into our offices, one thing will hit you straight away: we don’t
do grey. Our casual dress code helps with that – why stifle in a suit when you can bring your full
personality to work? Our dress code is ‘wear something’, and no one has broken it yet.

OUR CULTURE

Our culture is who we are. It’s what makes us unique. It’s our character, our personality. It shapes
our strategy – not the other way round.

It’s constantly evolving, and it’s built by the same people it attracts, retains and develops –
passionate, energetic go-getters that live and teach our values.

We put complete trust in our people and give them the power to decide how they spend their days
here. Micro-managing never factors into the equation. We offer flexible and agile working, which
means we won’t tell you where or when to work (as long as you’re not sending emails outside our
curfew!). And on top of that, we offer open holiday – making sure our people are never short of an
opportunity to make life count.

We celebrate every success – big or small, and it’s how we reward our people for everything they do,
through our reward and recognition platform.

Throughout the year our people experience and wellbeing programme are paramount to ensuring
our people are putting themselves first – with access to an EAP, mental health couching, access to a
virtual GP, an abundance of financial wellbeing benefits and an exciting social calendar.
We don’t do any of this because it’s cool. We do it based on a whole load of facts, statistics and
evidence relating to productivity, performance and happiness.

“But do people do any work?”, “Surely people take the p*ss?”

We’ve heard it all. That’s why we just ask for one thing in return: produce incredible work. Because
our strengths-based culture makes sure our people are doing what they’re best at every day, we set
high expectations when it comes to performance. But rest assured, if you’re willing to put in the
effort, you’ll get a hell of a lot in return.

OUR PEOPLE

A lot of businesses put their clients first, and while our clients are important to us, we think if your
people are happy, engaged and motivated, the irresistible client experience is guaranteed to follow.
And we’ve proven that!

While our culture is great for attracting new stars to the business, our people are the ones that make
it. They’re passionate, proactive and personable – three P’s that any client, manager or colleague
loves. Our Culture Book is filled with our peoples’ feelings on what working here means to them. You
can check it out here.

We want everyone at Cooper Parry to be an inspiration; someone you can learn from. And we want
them to be able to apply their strengths and talents day in, day out.

On top of that, we’re always receiving feedback from our people about what’s hot, and what’s not.
Every week we send out our ‘How’s It Going?’ survey, asking everyone to rate their week on a scale of
1-10 and provide any comments where they see fit. It’s a great way for us to shout about any
successes and iron out any issues as soon as they arise.

Every six months we do the Gallup Q12 Engagement Survey, and we also send out the annual Best
Companies survey which helps us measure engagement against the whole of the UK.

WE LISTEN TO OUR PEOPLE, WE PUT THEM FIRST, AND THEN WE LET THE
MAGIC HAPPEN. IT’S AS SIMPLE AS THAT

Why is Keep Learning built into our ethos and core value at Cooper Parry? Simple. We do not want to be stagnant. We are passionate not just that we keep growing as a firm but also as individuals and teams. Our capacity to grow knows no boundaries. That’s why we seek individuals who are curious, independent thinkers, who adapt and are always searching for a new and better way, so we can disrupt, lead, and make life count. While we will encourage your growth, it is up to you to take ownership for your development and we will support your goals and make sure you reach further than you ever thought possible.

We are a strengths-based organisation, which means that we focus on what you are good at and empower you to use and nurture those strengths, bring your whole self to your role! We know that most learning and development takes place in the flow of work, so you will work closely with your manager to ensure that you are playing to your strengths and doing a job that you love.

As a Trainee, you will undertake an impactful development programme over your apprenticeship studying for a Professional Qualification and developing the skills you need to excel in your roles.

As a Manager, we recognise and value the role you play and if you manage people then you will attend our Rebel Managers programme to enable you to be a world class manager.

Progressing to Partner, if that’s your end goal, we will support you on your development journey to partnership with coaching, mentoring, and insights into who you really are and what this means for you as a leader.

Underneath it all, we love feedback! We always come from a position of support, recognising that in order to succeed we need to fall, and feedback is key to our learning.

Rebel Managers Testimonial:

“Rebel managers brings a fresh and powerful perspective on bringing the best out in our teams, with the right balance of learning, face to face interaction and individual study. It’s a safe environment to explore real use-cases, share experiences with peers and get to know more colleagues. The best bit is that it helps us as leaders to drive and reinforce CP values.” – Iahwa Gibson, Head of Team Delivery & Growth Marketing

Our people are who we are, it’s what makes us unique, and we are committed to looking after you to truly foster a culture that empowers everyone to thrive, both personally and professionally.

This includes providing plenty of wonderful perks that support us in our mission to provide a supportive and inclusive environment that holistically promotes your wellbeing, creates opportunities to enhance your overall quality of life and enables you to reach your full potential and feel empowered to lead fulfilling lives. Check out below how we bring all this to life on a daily basis!

Lifestyle:

• Open Holiday
• WFAAF – Work From Anywhere, Always, Forever
• Wear Something Dress Code – Don’t like stuffy suits? Don’t wear them. Do your best thinking in a pair of jeans? Great. As long as you’re wearing something, we’re happy.
• Social Clubs – Book Club, Away Day, Running, Hiking, Netball, Gym, Table Tennis, Pole Fitness, Cocktail Club, 5-a-side, Christmas Party, Team Days Out , National Volunteering Day
• Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Gym Membership
• Restaurant Discount Card
• Activity Pass
• Discounted Vouchers & Cashback
• Christmas Office Closures

Health:

• Dental Insurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Private Medical
• Access to a virtual GP Service
• Eye tests
• Annual Flu Jab

Wellbeing:

• Cycle to Work
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Sanctus Coaching
• In-house beauty treatments (fees apply to external provider)
• Financial Wellness:
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Financial wellbeing platform

Reward:

• Reward and Recognition Platform
• Long Service Awards
• Vouchers for marriages, civil ceremonies, and special birthdays
• Refer a Friend scheme
• Client Referral scheme
• Baby Hampers for new parents

EARLY CAREERS PROCESS

HOW WE FILTER CV’S

We recognize that students may not have extensive workplace experience. When reviewing your cvs, we prioritize good grades and a well-organized format, which shows the effort and time invested in its creation. Emphasise the skills and attributes you’ve developed through your education and any brief work experiences. A two-page cv is ideal, allowing us to assess your communication skills and potential for the role you applied for.

VIDEO INTERVIEW

We seek energetic and enthusiastic students who understand the role and let their personalities shine in the videos. We don’t expect perfection. We want to see how you perform in the moment and handle the challenges our questions present, reflecting how life is like at cp. Additionally we want to see how you fit into our company culture, so we are looking for candidates that are personable and approachable.

THOMAS INTERNATIONAL TESTING AND WHAT IT TELLS US

Our thomas international aptitude and personality testing provides insights into whether each candidate is a good fit for the department they’ve applied to. The aptitude test identifies candidates with the strengths to thrive in a fast-paced, analytical, and numerical environment. Additionally, the personality and leadership tests help us understand each candidate’s learning style, response to pressure, and teamwork abilities. This information allows us to provide you with the best experience as you progress through life as a cooper parry employee.

ASSESSMENT CENTRE

Upon arrival to the assessment centre, you will be greeted and supported by the Early Careers team. To start with our Early Careers team, specialised area team, and a current student, will go through a presentation, detailing everything you need to know about Cooper Parry, the job role and how we operate.You will then have two group activities which can include 5 or 6 candidates per group. The day will also include a talk with our Student Support Manager, an interview and office tour.

Format for the day is subject to change dependant on the team and business area you have applied for, we will ensure that final details are emailed to you before the day if there are any changes.

WHEN TO EXPECT FEEDBACK
We try our best to deliver feedback and next steps throughout the process as quickly as possible.

Following an assessment centre, we usually give you an indication on when you will receive feedback in our “What’s Next?” talk at the end of the Assessment Centre. However, a good rule of thumb for us is to deliver feedback within a week.

EXPERIENCED HIRE PROCESS

SHORTLISTING

We review each cv to shortlist those that best align with the role’s criteria. Factors considered include relevant work experience, qualifications (if required), and specific skills related to the job.

If you are then successful to the next stage, a Talent Acquisition Partner will contact you to discuss your resume, career aspirations, and initial fit for the role. This call provides an opportunity to ask initial questions about the position and CP.

INTERVIEW STAGES

• Behavioural
• Technical
• Cultural

Depending on the role, the interview process may involve 2 or 3 stages. You may be asked to solve a case study or prepare a presentation, simulating tasks you would perform in the role.

The interview process is designed to be as informative for you as it is for us. This is an opportunity for you to evaluate our company, understand our work culture, and determine if we are the right fit for your career aspirations.

ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS

Thomas international aptitude and behavioural tests these tests measure behaviour and various cognitive abilities such as numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning. They are used occasionally to provide additional insights into your capabilities and personality.

PARTNER AND DIRECTOR ROLES

You can expect to see the same steps above as well as participation in a panel-style interview with senior leaders of CP. Depending on the role, additional behavioural assessments might be required to evaluate your leadership style and fit with our executive team.

FEEDBACK TIMELINE

Generally, you can expect to receive feedback within 24-48 hours after each stage of the interview process, unless other candidates are still being processed for the role. We strive to keep you informed and provide timely updates throughout the recruitment process.

ACCESSIBILITY

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

At CP, we know everyone performs their best when they feel comfortable and supported to bring their whole selves to an interview. We’re a proud Disability Confident Employer! We’d love to support you through this process if you have additional access needs.
If you want to discuss how we can make the assessment centre more accessible for you, please reach out to your Recruitment Partner, not sure who this is? Email careers@cooperparry.com. We’ll strive to make the process as smooth and simple for you – and that support continues into your employment at CP! We’ll collaborate with you, so you have all you need to achieve your best at work. If you want to discuss what this might look like, get in touch with our D&I Advisor.

Finally, we’d love to highlight the government’s Access to Work scheme. This is a fab scheme to provide accommodations beyond what is reasonable for an employer to provide. It can include funding for BSL interpreters, taxis to and from the office, and mental health supports if that’s a barrier for getting into work. Information on the application process and the online form to apply can be found here.

NEURODIVERSITY

WE SUPPORT OUR PEOPLE

At Cooper Parry, we are dedicated to supporting neurodivergent students throughout our recruitment process and beyond. As members of Neurodiversity in Business, we aim to create an inclusive environment where everyone can excel. Our D&I Advisor leads our neuro-inclusion efforts, working with professional agencies and internal stakeholders to develop supportive processes. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our D&I Advisor for assistance.

For students attending our assessment centres, we offer tailored support to ensure a smooth and fair experience. We encourage the disclosure of neurodivergent conditions to access necessary supports, promising full confidentiality. Our supports after employment include assistive technology, accessible equipment, strategy coaching, workplace mentoring, and customized training for managers and teams. Additionally, we guide you through applying for government grants like Access to Work, which covers various accommodations, including during the recruitment process. At Cooper Parry, we are committed to helping neurodivergent students succeed and feel valued from the moment they join us.

If you have any questions regarding neurodiversity, please contact our D&I Advisor – Lydia Stott, lydias@cooperparry.com