After completing his A-levels, Kharim Patel joined Bishop Fleming as an Accountancy Associate, choosing the apprenticeship route to begin building his career through hands-on experience. Read more about Kharim's journey.
What did you study in sixth form or college, and how has this helped you in your apprenticeship?
I studied Business, Maths and Product Design at A-level, and each subject helped me build skills that I now use every day in my apprenticeship.
One of the most valuable areas of development was my communication skills. Through group assignments and business competitions, I gained confidence in presenting ideas and working collaboratively. This has made it much easier to communicate with senior colleagues and clients, whether communicating online or in person.
Time management was another key skill I developed, particularly through Product Design, which involved a heavy coursework load. Balancing multiple deadlines taught me how to organise my workload effectively. This has been especially helpful as I transitioned from a gap year into a full-time role, where I now manage work responsibilities, exam preparation, and personal time.
Finally, studying Maths strengthened my analytical thinking. It helped me approach problems in a structured way, which has been invaluable for tackling assessments at work and for understanding which tasks are required to achieve the best outcomes.
What has been a highlight or biggest achievement of your apprenticeship journey so far?
One of the biggest highlights of my apprenticeship journey so far has been the variety of experiences I have gained through rotating across different departments. This has allowed me to develop a well-rounded skill set while gaining a strong understanding of the firm's main services. With each rotation, I have faced new challenges, whether that is learning new processes, working with new people or adapting to different types of work. Being able to contribute to each team and gradually take on more responsibilities has been a very rewarding part of my journey so far!
What appealed to you about a career in accountancy?
I was initially drawn to accountancy because I really enjoyed both Maths and Business at A-level. I liked the problem-solving aspect of maths as well as understanding how businesses operate, so accountancy felt like a natural combination of the 2 subjects. Additionally, my decision was further strengthened by the work experience I gained at school, where I saw firsthand how accountancy works in practice. This experience helped me understand the day-to-day responsibilities of an accountant, from analysing financial information to contributing to wider business decisions. This made me realise that the key skills required in accountancy are areas that I naturally enjoy and would like to keep developing.
How has Bishop Fleming supported you throughout your journey so far?
Bishop Fleming has provided me with consistent support throughout my apprenticeship. Before I even started, I was invited to the annual summer social, which gave me a great opportunity to meet the team in a relaxed setting. From day one, the buddy system has been extremely helpful, giving me a go-to person for general questions and making my transition into the team smoother.
Additionally, the monthly check-ins with my Growth Coach have been extremely useful, helping me track my progress, set objectives for the upcoming months and work through any challenges.
Bishop Fleming has also provided me with a wide range of opportunities to support my development. From training sessions to rotating through different departments, I have felt encouraged to continue learning and taking on new challenges.
What made you apply for an apprenticeship over a different route?
When deciding between going to university or doing an apprenticeship, the main thing that I was debating was which best suited my learning style and long-term goals. I have always found I learn much more effectively by doing rather than reading or studying theoretically, so the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and knowledge from day one was really appealing.
Another key factor was the ability to spread my exams over the duration of the apprenticeship rather than having concentrated exam seasons at university. This has really helped me manage my workload more effectively and give my best on each exam.
What I have found the most valuable so far is being able to directly apply what I learn in the exams to real-world situations, instead of just answering hypothetical questions. I am able to use the knowledge I have gained in a practical setting where each scenario is slightly different.
What skills have you developed that have helped you grow in your role so far? (Are there any gained you did not expect to develop)
Throughout my apprenticeship journey so far, I have developed a range of skills that have supported my professional and personal growth. One of the key areas has been my communication skills, as I have become more confident when working with different teams by asking questions and discussing my work. Additionally, my confidence has significantly grown. A key example of this was completing a charity skydive, which pushed me outside of my comfort zone and made me face my fears. Experiences like this, alongside the development of my technical knowledge and skills, have helped me present myself more clearly and communicate more effectively in a professional environment.
Another important area of development has been my ability to adapt to different situations, which I did not initially expect to develop as much. As I joined via the rotating launchpad scheme, I have moved between different departments, teams and types of work every 6 months. This has significantly enhanced my adaptability as I have had to adjust to completing new types of work, learning new processes, and building relationships with new colleagues.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying to Bishop Fleming?
The biggest piece of advice I could give would be to just go for it. Bishop Fleming is an extremely supportive environment that provides you with all the tools necessary to learn and develop, so you do not need to know everything from day one.
I would also say to remember it’s not just you applying to Bishop Fleming, but it's also finding the right place for you to begin your career. Being yourself throughout the application process really helps ensure that it is the right fit for both you and the firm.
How has your apprenticeship supported you in building relationships with clients and colleagues?
The apprenticeship has really helped me in building strong relationships with both colleagues and clients. Being part of such a supportive team, always happy to give me more responsibility and opportunities to communicate with clients, has helped me build my confidence professionally. The rotating structure of the launchpad scheme has also played a big role in cultivating relationships, as moving between departments has allowed me to meet a wide range of people and adapt to different working styles. This has not only improved my ability to work collaboratively but has also helped me tailor my approach to the client's needs.
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