What attracted you to join Critchleys?
Critchleys stood out to me due to its charity work and the opportunity to help individuals and small businesses.
What does a typical day/week look like as a Business Services Trainee?
I work in the office full time and use client records and accounting adjustments such as accruals to produce filleted accounts to file at Companies House and full accounts to file with tax returns. As part of that I draft tax returns and consider things such as payroll liabilities and VAT adjustments.
What types of industries and clients do you work with?
My clients are from a large range of industries, including sole traders that may run garages or work as photographers, or larger companies that could be in the publishing industry or medical field. My favourite to work on are farms because they can use the accounts we produce to see how to improve business practices, and the better farms can run, the better quality and quantity of food reaches consumers.
I have produced accounts for over 45 clients and the number is steadily growing. I am also responsible for the final admin of many other clients that have been worked on by more senior members of the team. We communicate with our clients via a variety of means depending on the client’s preference and the situation. I have also visited a few clients at their place of work and have recently been stationed at a client’s office for a few days while preparing accounts in order to have easy access to any of their records, to answer any accounting questions they may have, and to build the professional relationship.
What do you enjoy most?
Everyone is very friendly and there is always someone willing to help you.
What has surprised you most since joining?
Because there is so much to know regarding accountancy everyone here is constantly learning and communicating with each other to find solutions to issues.
Your development at Critchleys so far?
I have gained a massive amount of knowledge, particularly about how businesses function and taxation.
What advice would you give someone at the start of their career?
Don't be afraid to admit you don't know something or ask for help, no one knows everything and if you are in a trainee position the company will have taken into account that others will need to spend some time with you training you.