I just started playing and grouped up with a friend but we cant seem to accept any of the missions while in a group together we have both done the first 3 tutorials and basic flight tutorial.

So how do I accept missions while in a group?

Some missions aren't group missions, that's just how it works. The only ones that are group missions are deneb and hive skirms I believe. There might be a few others but the vast majority are not.

Escort missions and advanced combat practice also work in groups.

Also note that many group missions will not become available to you until you reach Combat license 3. Missions like Hive Skirmish and Border Skirmish will automatically group you with anyone else who is taking that mission.

The nice thing about Vendetta is that missions are not essential in order to progress in the game; it's possible to pursue many other objectives as a group, without taking a mission. See, for example, the manufacturing page on the VO wiki. You could begin working together to collect some of the items needed to build some of the bigger capship components. Then, you might give the items to a trusted veteran player to assemble the actual component for you (I'll leave it to you to research who you may consider trust-worthy). Also, if you stumble upon a Border Skirmish or a Hive Skirmish, you can affect the outcome regardless of whether or not you are in the mission (you will not receive the normal rewards, but you still will be having an impact on the state of the galaxy and may find some valuable items among the battle debris).

If your group is strong enough, you could even try taking one of the conquerable stations. Just show up (not writing where) and start shooting the turrets. That would definitely get you noticed. If you do well enough, you may even be able to take over the station. Then anybody who wanted to dock there would have to come ask you for a key (unless they tried taking it back themselves).

Escorts also don't show up until lvl 3.