2 Mins
The direct entry route to becoming a qualified chartered accountant is becoming increasingly attractive to school leavers who want to earn while they learn. In September 2020, Archie Williams and Wallis Lynch both took this route and began their direct entry CA Traineeship programme. They have been working at the firm for a while now and here are their reflections on their journeys so far:
Archie Williams
“Coming straight from school into a full-time job was quite daunting, but Henderson Loggie were there to help with every step. Meeting my new colleagues prior to my start in an informal environment was great. We weren’t thrown in at the deep end and instead took a few days to get to know everyone, and more importantly, get to know what the next 5 years would look like for a school leaver CA Trainee.”
“Your training is given in relevancy to upcoming tasks and in small enough sections that it can be fully understood. Your first year is solely work-based and provides you with a phenomenal amount of work experience, with your responsibilities increasing as you gain confidence. The mentorship programme for trainees provided me with a quick solution to any difficulties or questions I had, and paired with extremely approachable colleagues, you are never left stuck!”
Wallis Lynch
“To begin with, I was a bit uncertain about how I would cope going right into a working environment from school, along with having to work remotely! I am amazed though at how well it is going and how welcoming and helpful all my colleagues have been. Being provided with a buddy and a mentor early on has ensured that I always have someone to talk to if I have any questions and has provided a great amount of support. This has been great, along with weekly catchup calls to help me manage my workload and again go over any uncertainties I may have.”
“I appreciate how much the firm invests in and look after their employees. They have put a lot of effort into me and my learning already and have prepared me with everything I have needed to start off, including online and on the job training sessions and a large amount of work experience. It has been a brilliant experience so far and I look forward to the years ahead and the opportunities it may bring!”