New apprentice joins leading north west accountancy firm

A LEADING accountancy firm has further signalled its commitment to investing in young people with the appointment of a new apprentice.

JF Hornby and Co has welcomed 18-year-old Carly Atkinson to the team as a trainee chartered accountant.

The former UVHS Sixth Form pupil will spend the next five years under the tutelage of her experienced colleagues as she pursues her dream job.

She said: “I completed work experience preparing accounts with a local agricultural and tourism business in the summer holidays, where I found it interesting learning about the challenges they faced due to decreases in direct government subsidies.

“This inspired me to pursue a role in accountancy as I wanted to help make a positive impact on businesses in the area. I like the idea of helping clients to save money by making their businesses more efficient.

“As an accountant, I will be solving real business problems and helping businesses to achieve their goals which will give me a sense of purpose. No two days are the same and constantly changing regulations create challenges which will keep me on my toes. I aspire to complete my qualifications to become a professional accountant and a productive member of the Hornby team.

Carly will complete her level 4 AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) course after two years. This will be followed by a further three years of study, after which she will become a Chartered Accountant.

JF Hornby & Co has established a name for itself in recent years a business that is prepared to invest in the area’s young people, offering them an alternative to university by fully funding their training to chartered status.

Delighted: Paul Hornby, Managing Director of JF Hornby & Co

To date, more than 20 people have been through the JF Hornby training programme and qualified as fully-fledged chartered accountants.

Managing Director Paul Hornby said: “Carly is a fantastic addition to the team at JF Hornby & Co. She is bright, inquisitive and enthusiastic. She wants to make a positive difference and her approach is a perfect fit with our ethos.

“It gives me great pleasure to provide opportunities to college leavers who have decided that university is not for them, but want to pursue a career in the finance sector. For as long as the right people are out there, we will continue to invest in the training and development of young people.”