Experiences of an Accounts Trainee

Every year, M+A Partners welcomes several trainees into the team – with opportunities within our Tax, Accounts and Audit departments.

Our trainee programmes are designed to make it possible to develop business skills whilst completing more formal training and studying towards a professional qualification.

Here we look at the experiences of two of our Accounts Trainees, Kieran Flood and Ed Saunders, and find out how they settled into studying and working within M+A Partners.

Kieran Flood

“I joined M+A Partners as an Accounts Trainee after leaving school and despite this being my first job, I quickly felt part of the team, which in turn helped me to build up confidence within my role and when speaking to clients.

M+A offer a number of options when it comes to studying towards your professional qualification and this flexibility has enabled me to successfully balance work, and all that comes with getting accustomed to a new job, and my studies.

I am currently working towards my AAT qualification and hope to qualify by the start of 2022. My AAT studies have given me the chance to practice and demonstrate my capabilities in preparing different types of accounts – all with the support and encouragement of senior members of our team.

It is my aim to start working towards my ACCA certification next year, and it is the combination of practical work experience and study support, that has enabled and motivated me to plan for this next step in my training.

Within my role, I complete an interesting variety of accounts work, including companies, charities, partnerships, and sole traders. My colleagues are very approachable and always willing to give guidance, which in turn creates a positive learning experience.

Despite the current restrictions, we have regular online catchups as a team, and I did attend the 2019 Christmas party and 2020 tax get-together – helping me to meet and get to know other members of M+A Partners.”

Ed Saunders

“Following a year working on the family farm, post the completion of my A-Levels, I joined M+A Partners as an Accounts Trainee in January 2020.

I quickly settled into the Accounts team, the result of welcoming colleagues and being buoyed by their belief in my agricultural knowledge. There is a positive working environment within our department, with more senior colleagues willing to help and answer lots of questions, while giving you conviction in your own capabilities.

I am studying towards my AAT qualification and am currently half-way through my second year – having been delayed last year. I find that the tasks I carry out on a day-to-day basis support and correspond with the AAT syllabus, this overlap has helped me to get to grips more effectively with both my practical work and studies.

Throughout my training I have been eased in at a pace that is comfortable, allowing me to take on increasingly professional duties as and when I feel ready and enhancing my confidence. I now work on a range of different accounts, specialising in agricultural or diversified farm businesses.

The social side of M+A is really positive, I managed to attend an in-person event back in January 2020, just after I joined the firm – a great way to meet people from departments that I would normally not see. Since the easing of lockdown, I have also started playing 5-a-side football with other members of the team which is great fun.

I am also very appreciative of all the little ways in which the partners and seniors look after us, whether this is checking up on how we are doing when working from home, tasty cake deliveries or Christmas gifts.”

We have opportunities for school leavers and graduates to join our 2023 Trainee Programme as Trainee Accounts Advisers.

Click here to find out more about trainee opportunities within M+A Partners.