Bringing onboard new trainees has always been part of our succession strategy, to introduce new talent who will grow and develop into potential partners of the future. This year is no exception as we welcome seven new trainees to the firm.
George Sutton, Bethany Wright and Daniel Masterman join the team in the Goole office and Luke Martin, Louis McMaw, Will Johnson and Kristian Bell join the York team. Our trainees come to us through a number of routes, including from other employment or straight from school, college or university. Our latest trainees have all studied accountancy or were in the early stages of their accountancy careers with other firms before joining Townends.
Jayne Bryars, Partner at Townends says: “We’re very pleased to have such a talented group of trainees join the firm. An apprenticeship is a brilliant way of bringing people into the business, to gain experience and develop their skills. It also gives the trainees an opportunity to put into practice what they learn in the classroom.
“A number of our partners started their careers as trainees here, including me, and we hope to offer progression to those who show commitment and determination at the firm. It gives us a strong line of succession and ensures that the business continues to develop and move forwards. It’s going to be exciting to see how their careers develop over the coming years.”
Louis McCaw, who is training with Townends during a placement year from Newcastle University, says: “I will begin my final year of my Accounting and Finance degree in September. Townends has provided me with my first experience of professional full-time work and the placement year has given me an invaluable first-hand experience of life as an accountant. In the future I hope to become a fully qualified chartered accountant and have a secure job with responsibility.”
Joining from another firm of accountants, Will Johnson felt that the training he received from his previous employer wasn’t going in the direction that he wanted and saw the Townends position as an opportunity to help him further develop his skills. Says Will: “I met some of the Townends team at an industry event and they seemed very friendly and gave an excellent impression of the firm. The training opportunities at Townends are exactly what I had been looking for and I have learned so much in the time that I have been here.”
Kristian Bell had gained experience at another firm whilst working in its tax department. He decided to move as he wanted to work on accounts rather than specialising so early on in his career. Kristian says: “My college tutors recommended that I contact Townends and I’d heard that they offered good training for new accountants, so I applied for the position. I’ve been studying towards my AAT level 4 as well as the ATT qualification and, in the long run, I ultimately want to be in a position where I have my own portfolio of clients.”
Having worked at a smaller accounting firm in Goole, Daniel Masterman was keen to move to a larger firm where he feels he will have more career opportunities in the future. Says Daniel: “Before I joined Townends I was studying through distance learning in my own time, which I was finding difficult to fit in with working full time. I’m now able to concentrate on my studies one day a week as well as getting hands on practical experience during the rest of the week. I’m focussing on learning as much as I can and on completing my AAT.”
We regularly have training contracts available for those who possess excellent communication skills, strong IT and numeracy skills and a willingness to learn. In return we offer a competitive pay scale; study package – including tuition fees and study leave; flexitime; learning and development opportunities; and a friendly working environment.
Please contact our HR Department on 01405 763341 or click here for more details about our training contracts.
