Accountancy: a career that adds up


Within a decade of leaving college, Jack had set up his own practice as an Accountant. From an early age, he’d known he wanted to work in an office, but it was a careers talk that really inspired him. Here he tells us about his journey – so far!


When I was young, my Dad worked in an office and wore a suit. I didn’t really know what he did, but I knew I liked the idea of a job like that! By the end of Year 11, I still hadn’t really narrowed it down so decided to head on to Sixth Form College and study for A Levels. I chose subjects that I hoped would keep my options open: Business, Psychology and Economics. By this time, my older brother had gone on to University to study Business Management and I think I expected to follow in his footsteps. But just one careers talk changed that!


We had a careers fair in college when I was in Year 12 and


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one of the top ten Accountancy firms came to give a talk. They offered a ‘school or college leaver’ scheme where I could start working and study towards professional qualifications at the same time. Today, this would be an Accountancy Apprenticeship, but they hadn’t been written then! I thought this sounded really interesting; I had always enjoyed Maths (in fact, I had been able to take my GCSE a year early) so it seemed to click with me.


When it got to Year 13, while my friends were making their UCAS applications, I was researching all the accountancy firms within striking distance of home and applying to their


Make The Future Yours! Issue 2


school leaver schemes. Of course, the one I really wanted was with the firm I had spoken to at that careers fair – and I got it! I know people think that accountancy sounds quite dull, but they were actually quite a cool firm to work for. As you would expect, they were serious and professional when required but a nice team and a good company to work for. We also had a few nice perks too, like always getting to take your birthday off!


My professional training started almost straight away. Because I had got a good grade in Maths, I was able to go straight in at the Level 3 AAT qualification. This is a modular course, with


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