TRAINING WITH MEDIUM SIZE FIRMS OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Getting it Right
The Medium Size Approach
Variety of Experience
Quality of training
Personal Treatment
Where do you find us? 
Who do we want?

Getting it right

If you are trying to decide where you should apply for a training contract, you've probably already discovered that it's no easy decision to make.  There are well over a thousand training firms in this country.  Which one will be right for you?

More and  more people are realising that training with a medium sized firm is right for them.  The range of experience they'll get, the variety of clients they'll see, the quality of training they'll receive - all these combine to produce broad-based and accomplished business professionals.

For the right people, the quality and scope of training offered by medium sized firms of accountants is hard to beat.

The medium sized approach

There are distinct advantages to being medium sized.  There isn't a textbook definition of a medium sized firm.  It's more a matter of approach and culture.  We're able to get close enough to our clients to give them both the depth and breadth of business advice they need.  That's for any size client, for sole trader to plc

Partners can be closely involved with their clients' affairs; technical expertise can be combined with a more human scale of service.  People know who the other members of staff are.  Partners and managers are accessible to everyone - especially students

Although the way we work has been developed to benefit our clients, it creates undoubted advantages for our students.  When you ask trainees what they think the main advantages are, the ones that crop up again and again are the VARIETY OF EXPERIENCE and the PERSONAL TREATMENT they get.

Variety of experience

From an early stage in your career you'll be dealing with a diversity of clients and getting exposure to many different types and sizes of business.  Assignments tend to be shorter - typically no longer than 3-4 weeks, so although you may occasionally have to stay away from home, it won't be for months on end.

Of course you do audits and get experience of big audits - you need those; but we also give you invaluable experience of book-keeping, accountancy and tax.  As you progress, you may be given special assignments to do.  We aim to help you see the totality of a business, not just one narrow slice.

Quality of training

Training for exams, in-house formal training and on-job training are all extremely high standards.  Of course, external tutors take you through your professional exams and your firm closely monitors your progress.  There's no need to give you simulated work experience - you'll be getting all the experience you need first hand!  Whatever your plans in the future, the experience you gain training with a medium sized firm will open doors for you in all directions.

Personal treatment

Because of our size, in a medium sized firm you'll be seen, known and appreciated as an individual.  Partners take an interest in what you're doing, how your training is progressing and how you're performing.  There's more room for your aspirations to be taken into account, especially when allocation jobs.  Team sizes tend to be smaller; as one of two, three or four in a team, your contribution is not likely to be overlooked.  As one of a smaller, select student intake, your training is very tightly controlled.

Where do you find us?

You'll find medium sized firms up and down the country, in major financial and industrial centers, and thriving county towns.  Many are London based, and many have close association with similar sized firms abroad. 

Who do we want?

You will need at least 300 UCAS points at A-level, excluding General Studies, and a 2:1 second class honors degree or a distinction  for an approved Foundation Course.  Just as important as academic achievement are personal qualities - perseverance, for example.  Never underestimate the demands of studying for exams AND doing a full-time job;  a great deal of commitment is needed if you're to succeed.  And of course, as modern accountancy is mostly about dealing with and advising people, an outgoing personality is essential.

The intellectual, academic and professional standards we expect are extremely rigorous.  But in return we'll give you the scope, variety and stimulation you need to turn you into a high caliber business professional.