• Swindon & Wiltshire News
• Monday February 6 2023
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Accountancy firm Haines Watts celebrates all young employees during National Apprenticeship Week

Apprenticeships are not the only route to career success, says Swindon- and Bristol-based Top 15 accountancy firm Haines Watts, which is celebrating all its young employees in National Apprenticeship Week (February 6-10).

University placement trainee Shalini Roy (20), who is based at the Swindon branch of the firm, is a former student of Royal Wootton Bassett Academy and is studying for a degree in accountancy and management at the University of Reading.

She’s completed two years of her course and is now doing a year’s placement before returning to complete her final year at the end of 2023.

“Working at Haines Watts has been a really good experience as the entire team are friendly and welcoming. Every day you learn something new, even if it’s a tiny Excel trick. I have gained knowledge in preparing year end accounts for clients and VAT returns with the assistance of my helpful colleagues.

“I have also done many bookkeeping jobs. Even smaller jobs like completing a cashbook analysis, posting a trial balance, or finishing a tax analysis is enjoyable as these are jobs that they don’t teach you at university.

“I will continue to develop new skills and gain more knowledge in the upcoming months. I believe I will be able to apply this in my studies and I will be able to share my knowledge with my friends studying the same course as me.”

And Ryan Leigh (18), who is a former student of The Ridgeway School, Wroughton, near Swindon, is undertaking a traineeship at the Swindon office.

“After leaving school at 16, I went straight into the finance industry completing my level 2 AAT qualification elsewhere. Haines Watts has offered an open and welcoming atmosphere that has allowed me to comfortably become part of the team and become a valued member of the workplace,” said Ryan.

“Over the coming years, I would like to earn my Level 3 and 4 AAT qualifications and move into a position where I can offer those who are new to the company the support and guidance I have received. Overall, I would like to be in a position where I hold some responsibility and leadership as I believe I thrive as a leader and can bring new and exciting leadership qualities to the table.”

Mike Lloyd, managing partner of Haines Watts Swindon, is an advocate of bringing young talent into the company and also the sector as a whole.

“We need young people coming through and all accountancy firms can play a part in encouraging and nurturing the accountants of tomorrow. I had that support when I was younger, and you never forget those who support you and mentor you in the early days of your career.”

©Barbara Evripidou/FirstAvenuePhotography.com

Meanwhile, Amaya Reid is undertaking an apprenticeship at the Bristol office, where she looks forward to being free of debt after choosing to go straight into professional life rather than taking the conventional and popular route through university.

Originally studying A-Levels in sciences and languages, it was once Covid hit in 2019 that Amaya had a rethink, choosing to attend St Brendan’s Sixth Form College instead, and start studying law, accounting and politics.

Now she’s one of the early beneficiaries of a new partnership between the college and Haines Watts, which is expected to see three or four new apprentices joining the firm annually.

With almost a year’s experience of bookkeeping and admin under her belt, Amaya is set to start a new role in the accounts department of the company in mid-February.

“I feel like I’m appreciated here,” she says, “and I realise that if I work hard then I can work my way up the ladder. To other people who are at school or college, I’d say that I know apprenticeships have a stigma and that there’s a narrative which suggests that everyone should go to uni.

“But I think people should see what a great opportunity an apprenticeship is, to get on in professional life quickly and get rewarded with good pay and responsibility from an early age. If you know what you want to do with your career, you should seriously consider it.”

Matthew Bracher, managing director at Haines Watts Bristol, said there were many benefits to taking on young accountants who have decided to pursue careers rather than going to university.

“Firstly, anyone who takes on a career at the age of 18 and recognises the long-term advantages of avoiding significant debt is demonstrating a maturity and shrewdness which reflects well on their personality,” he said.

“Those are the type of people we are looking to offer opportunities to, as they see the world in a pragmatic way.

“In addition, we are interested in being able to train young talent in the values and practices we expect at Haines Watts – it is rewarding to see them develop into people who can really advise and help other people. Having a degree doesn’t always give those personal skills that we look for.

“We have an established trainee programme here, as well as manager and partner level development programmes, which works well for us as a business and is a key part of facilitating growth in the SME market, as well as supporting our longer-term ambitions.

“We’re delighted to see our apprentices like Amaya progressing and developing. It’s great for our business and for our clients alike.”

Haines Watts Swindon will be exhibiting at the UK Careers Fair at the County Ground in Swindon on Wednesday, March 29.

Main pic: Ryan Leigh and Shalini Roy with their manager Paige Warwick (left) of Haines Watts Swindon
Inset: Amaya Reid of Haines Watts Bristol