From graduate trainee to exam qualified senior accountant
Initial Steps
Bradley has always had a natural affinity with numbers. Add to that an interest in business and finance and a career in accountancy seemed a natural choice.
Careers in engineering or HR had been briefly in the mix, but Bradley chose accountancy. A decision he partly attributes to helping business owners in his family, which gave him an appreciation of what it takes to run small businesses and the help an accountant could provide.
Graduating from Nottingham Trent University in 2021 with an Accounting and Finance degree, Bradley joined Bates Weston in September 2021.
When asked what made him choose Bates Weston he says:
“I have always been drawn to the idea of straight talking, helping business owners in practical ways. Bates Weston’s approach – being able to convey complex ideas and convert them into actions a client can take – that’s a great service and something I wanted to be able to do. I also liked the idea of getting involved with all aspects of accountancy and not just specialising in one area, which was something that Bates Weston could offer.”
Since joining the team as a graduate trainee accountant, Bradley is now an exam qualified senior accountant and will become fully qualified in April 2025.
His degree gave him 5 exemptions from the certificate level and 2 exemptions from the professional level of the ACA qualification, something Bradley really appreciated when it came to studying and working during his training contract. He completed the 3 advanced level exams this year.
Highlights and Challenges
Clear highlights for Bradley include passing all his exams and continually learning as his career develops.
“It was an incredible feeling to get the text from the ICAEW congratulating me on passing the advanced level exams. It may be the best text I’ll ever get!”
As to learning as his career develops, Bradley has seen how differently businesses can operate and knows and understands the numbers that drive them. He has developed his interpersonal skills as well as his technical ones.
“I am encouraged to fulfil my potential at Bates Weston and I can now confidently assist clients by explaining what their numbers mean and why changes have happened, or identify and explain ways that a client can improve their internal controls.”
“The next step will be to answer the “so what” question for clients. The numbers say this, so what do we do now? Our job then is to help the client not only to survive but to thrive.”
Growing in confidence with clients and colleagues is a gradual process, but Bradley smiles as he recalls “lightbulb moments” when he helped a client resolve a problem or could help a junior colleague with a query.
Bradley is also an active member of our Social Committee which runs events that bring the whole BW team together in a relaxed way.
“Seeing something you plan come to fruition and hearing how much everyone enjoyed it is a highlight too” he says.
Turning to the challenges Bradley has faced, like most, working and studying at the same time was difficult. Getting his mind set right and being organised were the keys to Bradley’s success.
“Understanding that this intense study period is only going to go on for a relatively short space of time really helps. And beyond that, having a study plan that allows for some time off and your hobbies, and sticking to it, stops you from being overwhelmed.”
Day to Day
Currently Bradley’s role as an audit senior is regularly taking him out to client premises, where his communication, organisation and technical skills are put to good use. One of the highlights here is spotting a process improvement that the client ultimately adopts.
He also gets satisfaction from a job well done.
“Every audit is like a project. You begin with a blank audit file, and by the end of the process, you can be satisfied that a client’s accounts are free from material misstatement (or otherwise) as well as suggesting useful improvements along the way, so the completion process is very rewarding.”
In addition to audit work, Bradley also has accounting responsibilities and is looking forward to gaining more experience in both accounts and audit as his career develops.
And finally…..
When asked to tell us the key qualities needed to pursue a successful accounting career, Bradley starts with being fearless and resilient.
“Don’t be scared to take opportunities as they are presented to you.”
“We all have naturally good and bad days, you just have to keep going.”
Thirdly he adds curiosity.
“Keep asking the questions. Keep learning. The more you ask, the more you learn, the greater your confidence and the easier it becomes to ask!”
