University didn’t appeal to me, so I looked into apprenticeships. I’ve always enjoyed maths and business at both GCSE and A-level, and hence came across accountancy (although an interest in either subject isn’t a necessity). In 2014 I completed a week’s work experience at Larking Gowen and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I was exposed to different aspects of preparing accounts and developed my understanding of what an accountant does. Getting involved in accounts preparation and seeing how important finance is for a company cemented my decision to pursue a career in this sector. Additionally, the progression available in this profession appealed to me, as there was the opportunity to keep developing after studying.

Background on qualification

In the ten years I’ve been at Larking Gowen I have completed qualifications from the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and the Association of Chartered Accountants (ACA). The AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting covers drafting financial statements, managing budgets and evaluating financial performance, as well as optional units such as business tax, personal tax, external auditing, credit management, and cash and treasury management. This took roughly two years to complete and enabled me to study to be a Chartered Accountant without a degree.

The ACA qualification includes 14 exams covering topics including financial management, law, tax and business strategy. However, I had four exemptions from completing AAT first. The ACA provided me with a combination of finance knowledge, accountancy skills and practical work experience.

Current role

I am currently a Senior Manager within the Farms and Rural Business team at Larking Gowen. I work with partners and the management team to contribute to the growth and development of the team. I have responsibility for aspects of my own portfolio of clients, including the preparation of accounts, business tax returns and personal tax returns, ensuring they’re in line with regulatory and internal requirements.

I also oversee and review the preparation of accounts by others in my team, providing training where required. I deal with day-to-day queries from clients and, following recent government changes, assist with estimating potential inheritance tax bills and advising how to mitigate large tax bills. Furthermore, I’m involved in business development activities, raising awareness of Larking Gowen’s services and maintaining good relationships with clients.

Future plans

My plan is to continue advancing through the levels at Larking Gowen. There are Director roles to grow into, as well as potential pathways to Partnership.

Advice

My advice would be to avoid the stereotypes of accountants – the work is more interesting than people think. If you can’t decide if accountancy is for you, I’d recommend speaking to someone in the industry or getting some work experience. Finally, make sure you find a firm that will support you. Studying is challenging but rewarding, and having support from colleagues and management makes a big difference.