Louise Putt, Audit Manager
Why did you choose the apprenticeship route?
Growing up, my family always encouraged the idea of “if you want something, you need to earn it.”
Until I left school, I had a couple of part time jobs and had got used to having my own money. The idea of earning money rather than getting a student debt at university really appealed to me, so I chose the apprenticeship route into accountancy as a way of earning whilst working towards a professional qualification. So far, the apprenticeship route has given me the hands on, relevant experience that would allow me to progress more quickly in my accountancy career.
I also love Devon! Having an apprenticeship close to home has allowed me to carry on doing all the things I love outside of work. Having grown up on a family farm, I love being in the countryside and being around friends, family, and my dog Bonnie.
My apprenticeship journey
I started my apprenticeship journey in September 2017 as a school leaver. I first started as an AAT apprentice in our Corporate Business Services (CBS) department where I learnt a vast range of skills in accounts preparations, VAT returns, bookkeeping, management accounts and some personal and corporate tax returns. I completed secondments to our tax departments during my time in CBS, and then moved to the audit department two years later. I am now completing an ACA apprenticeship and I am due to sit my finals in July and will then (fingers crossed) be a fully-fledged chartered accountant!
I am now an Audit Executive, and my day-to-day role is leading audits on a variety of clients including corporates, charities, further education colleges and academy trusts.
Often people ask me what I actually do every day as an auditor. In answer to that, I would say that I visit businesses and get to find out all about them and their challenges, as well as completing various testing to ensure that their accounts are accurate. You are often spending a couple of weeks working with clients and you get to build a really good relationship with them (usually!!) which I love. I enjoy the auditing and problem-solving side of my role, but my favourite part is definitely helping clients and building relationships with the organisations we work with and their teams. I love it when you finish the audits and clients say, “ah well that wasn’t that bad at all, I actually quite enjoyed it!.”
What have you learnt that has surprised you?
When I started my apprenticeship, I was perhaps a bit naïve! There is definitely a lot more to being an accountant than I first thought, and you don’t need to be really good at maths! Another thing that I suppose surprised me was the trust and responsibility that is given to you as a trainee. You can take ownership for your work and liaising with clients right from the very start.
What have you got out of your apprenticeship so far?
I have got a huge amount out of my apprenticeship so far. I have got one professional qualification already and I am working towards another. I have a huge amount of on-the-job experience and I’ve made some great friends. Not only have I gained experience in different departments and attained technical knowledge, but I have also gained a vast number of softer skills from all the “extra-curricular” type activities and programmes that we can get involved with, including becoming a people manager, helping to set up our young professional network and being actively involved in our food and drink team at Bishop Fleming.
Interested in a career in accountancy? Take a look at our apprenticeship opportunities here!