Member Article

Apprentice outshines to secure permanent role

A local apprentice has impressed company bosses so much that he has been offered a full time permanent role just nine months into his apprenticeship.

Danny Carrington, 24 joined North Durham accountancy firm, Valued Accountancy as an Accounts Assistant in August last year. He has been helping the company’s clients with bookkeeping and helping them post VAT returns, preparing year end accounts and corporation tax returns.

And, with positive feedback from clients about how well he has conducted himself since he started, the company had no hesitation in turning his apprenticeship into a full time role.

He joined the company after working in previous roles at another accountancy practice and then as a lab technician for a local chemical testing company. However, he knew he was destined for a career in accountancy and applied for his apprenticeship at Valued Accountancy through Derwentside College.

As part of his apprenticeship he is studying a part-time AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) two evenings a week at the College, which he expects to complete in the next few months. He is then aiming to progress his education by studying for an ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) as he aims to progress his career and gain as many qualifications and as much experience as he can.

He said: “It’s a dream come true for me and I still can’t believe I have been offered this role. The apprenticeship has really helped me get a foot on the career ladder and I am very grateful to Valued Accountancy for helping me to progress so much in such a short space of time. Whilst work has given me the hands-on experience I needed, my education has helped me to understand how this all fits into real life by doing the role.

“The apprenticeship has been a valuable experience and I would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking about doing one as a route to employment. If you find the right company that is willing to invest in you and take time to teach you, it’s been an invaluable experience.”

Stephen Paul, Owner of Valued Accountancy, said: “We have always been keen to create apprenticeship and training opportunities for local people and in Danny’s case, he has demonstrated real enthusiasm and commitment to the role, which are the key characteristics we look for in our staff.

“He is the consummate professional and I had not hesitation in allowing him to work directly with our clients to deliver the high levels of service they expect us to deliver. It demonstrates the value of apprenticeships and that they are not only just a good opportunity to gain valuable experience but in some cases, full time employment at the end of it.”

Danny’s role has been extended and he is working as part of a team to provide training for clients using Xero software. One client is painting and decorating firm Spectrum Interiors North East based in Bensham, Gateshead. Director Terry Main, said: “I’ve been working with Danny since he joined Valued Accountancy and he has always been very professional and co-operative. Nothing is ever a problem and he is always positive and willing to help. It’s great news that he has been offered a full time role and I’m really pleased for him – he deserves it.”

Valued Accountancy, which won the Xero Overall Accounting Partner of the Year award this year provides accountancy, consultancy and business support and is one of four Practice Studio Partners in the UK that provides consultancy and training to small and medium sized organisations by implementing software on behalf of Xero.

Danny’s appointment is one of a number of acquisitions made by the company is recent weeks. The company has also welcomed Melanie Cant as senior marketing & administrative executive and Eileen Walker as a senior accounts assistant to the business last month, which has now seen the company grow to fourteen strong. Both Melanie and Eileen joined the company from Harlands.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Stephen Paul .