The apprenticeship route has allowed me to benefit from gaining invaluable real-world experience in the accountancy profession while still achieving the all-important ACA qualification.
Kieren Smith, Corporate Finance Executive
Can you share with us your career journey and role at Bishop Fleming?
My journey in the accountancy world began way back in 2015 as a fresh faced 18-year-old straight out of school. I joined Bishop Fleming’s Bath office within the Corporate & Business Services team. The department was fairly small back then, with around six of us in the team.
While working for Bishop Fleming, I undertook the AAT qualification before then starting on my ACA qualification. During this time, I progressed through the Corporate & Business Services team benefiting from wide exposure to different aspects of the accountancy world and progressed through from an Associate to become an Executive. Since completing my ACA apprenticeship last summer, I have moved into the Corporate Finance team within Bishop Fleming, which has provided a new opportunity for me to develop my skills and knowledge.
Why did you choose the apprenticeship route?
I knew I didn’t want to go to university while I was in Sixth Form, however I didn’t at the time know what other options I had. I was in the middle of my university applications when we had a talk at our School from an apprentice at Bishop Fleming, but before this I didn’t even realise it was something which I could do. I subsequently applied to Bishop Fleming to join as a school leaver and have not looked back. The apprenticeship route has allowed me to benefit from gaining invaluable real-world experience in the accountancy profession while still achieving the all-important ACA qualification.
How has your role evolved since you first joined the company, and what are some of the biggest challenges you've faced along the way?
My role has changed and developed massively during my time at Bishop Fleming, as I have progressed within my team, I have been given the opportunity to take on more responsibility and ownership of my clients. I have gone from producing management accounts and statutory accounts to reviewing them and being the one to report on them back to my clients.
One of the biggest challenges I faced as a school leaver was being able to see the big picture and the end goal of becoming ACA qualified, it is a long route with the apprenticeship taking either 3 or 5 years depending on what level you join at. It can be easy to become disheartened or lose focus in this time, but you have to remember that you are gaining a world recognised qualification while being supported by a great firm and also gaining invaluable workplace experience.
What’s different about apprenticeship scheme now to when you did it?
When I first joined, the apprenticeship route was still being developed and tested meaning it was very different to how it is now. One of the main differences now is the fact that you are not doing your apprenticeship alone and have the benefit of going to college with your colleagues meaning you are supported both by the firm and your peers.
Furthermore, the apprenticeship programme is now run completely in house, whereas for me it was managed by the college separately. This means that now students have the benefit of their managers being far more involved in the apprenticeship programme resulting in better support and engagement being available to students.
Describe how you've grown professionally and personally since joining the company, and what advice could you give to those just starting out?
The main change I have seen in myself during my time with Bishop Fleming is my confidence. The support and development opportunities I have been given have allowed me to become more confident in myself and my ability. I have seen myself go from someone who hides behind emails to someone who actively enjoys phone calls and meetings with my clients.
I have also been able to create a wide network of connections both within Bishop Fleming and in the wider business community. My recommendation to anyone just starting out would be to get involved in as much as possible, be this networking events, sporting events, talks, socials, whatever it is I would go, meet people, and start building your network from day one.
What are the best bits of working at Bishop Fleming?
For me there are two parts of Bishop Fleming which stick out as being the best. The first is the opportunities available for development and progression, if there is something you want to do or an area you want to develop, the firm will do what they can to support you in this and enable you to develop yourself both professionally and personally.
The second is the people, the environment in a workplace is so important in my opinion in enabling positive growth and productivity and Bishop Fleming has the balance just right. There are also so many opportunities to network internally and get involved in activities and social events. Everyone is very supportive of each other and easy to approach.