Hello, my name is Jamie, and I am an ACA trainee with Wilder Coe Ltd. I joined Wilder Coe through the HAT recruitment process in 2024, after spending 3 years at the University of Exeter studying Business and Management. When I decided that I wanted to take my ACA exams I knew that a smaller sized firm would be right for me, being able to work closely with clients and a more valued member of the team.
My first month was split between two weeks of college studying for the accounting and assurance exams, and two weeks of practical training put on by HAT. This was a great introduction the world of accounting, especially for me who hadn’t learnt much about the profession during my degree. This put me in good position when it came to my first day in the office, as I felt like I had a good idea of what was expected of me, and how to perform my role.
As an Audit Junior, I work as part of a small team, usually between 3-5 people, made up of partners, managers and seniors. My role varies from client to client, depending on the specific needs of the job. Typically, I will be working on specific areas of the audit, with more senior colleagues reviewing my work. This gives me an element of freedom, with structured feedback networks allowing me to develop my understanding of the work.
As an employee of a HAT firm, I have started my journey alongside a number of trainees at different firms, getting to know lots of them through the first month of college. Since then, I have been able to keep in touch with them and compare experiences. Events such as the HAT quiz give an opportunity to socialise in a more relaxed setting and create friendships outside of my own company.
Although there is a lot of revision needed to pass the ACA exams, it has never overwhelmed me. I think that this is due to there being good systems in place for separating work and college time, as well as the limited amount of overtime expected of me from my company. This means that there is time in the evenings and at weekends to do enough revision, while still doing the things that I love to do in my free time.
Over the last 9 months there have been plenty of ups and downs. It is a long qualification and sometimes can feel overwhelming, however each exam passed is a step closer to qualification. It is a really rewarding process in this sense, and the opportunity to work alongside like-minded trainees makes the day-to-day work environment a great place to be.
