Association of Practising Accountants (APA) : Employer profile

Company profile

Getting it right
If you are trying to decide where you should apply for a training contract, you’ve probably already discovered that it’s no easy decision to make. There are well over a thousand training firms in this country. Which one will be right for you?

More and more people are realising that training with a medium sized firm is right for them. The range of experience they’ll get, the variety of clients they’ll see, all combine to produce broad-based and accomplished business professionals.

The medium size approach
There are distinct advantages to being medium sized. There isn’t a textbook definition of a medium sized firm. It’s more a matter of approach and culture. We’re able to get close enough to our clients to give them both the depth and breadth of business advice they need. That’s for any size client, from sole trader to plc. Partners can be closely involved with their clients’ affairs; technical expertise can be combined with a more human scale of service. People know who the other members of staff are.

Variety of experience
From an early stage in your career you’ll be dealing with a diversity of clients and getting exposure to many different types and sizes of business. Assignments tend to be shorter – typically no longer than 3-4 weeks, so although you may occasionally have to stay away from home, it won’t be for months on end.

Of course you do audits and get experience of big audits – you need those; but we also give you invaluable experience of book-keeping, accountancy and tax. We aim to help you see the totality of a business, not just one narrow slice.

Quality of training
Training for exams, in-house formal training and on-job training are all to extremely high standards. Of course,external tutors take you through your professional exams and your firm closely monitors your progress.

There’s no need to give you simulated work experience – you’ll be getting all the experience you need first hand! Whatever your plans in the future, the experience you gain training with a medium sized firm will open doors for you in all directions.

Where do you find us?
You’ll find medium sized firms up and down the country, in major financial and industrial centres, and thriving county towns.

Personal treatment
In n a medium sized firm you’ll be seen, known and appreciated as an individual. Partners take an interest in
what you’re doing and how your training is progressing. There’s more room for your aspirations to be taken into account, especially when allocating jobs. Team sizes tend to be smaller; as one of two, three or four in a team, your contribution is not likely to be overlooked.

Who do we want?
You will need at least 300 UCAS points at A-Level and a second class honours degree (usually a 2:1) or a distinction for an approved Foundation course.

Just as important as academic achievement are personal qualities – perseverance, for example. Never underestimate the demands of studying for exams and doing a full-time job; a great deal of commitment is needed if you’re to succeed. And of course, as modern accountancy is mostly about dealing with and advising people, an outgoing personality is essential.

The intellectual, academic and professional standards we expect are extremely rigorous. But in return we’ll give you the scope, variety and stimulation you need to turn you into a high calibre business professional.

How to apply

Firms
If you feel that training with a medium sized firm is right for you, go to www.apa-uk.co.uk and request an information pack. Alternatively, you can contact firms direct or look at individual entries in directories such as Prospects.

ARMSTRONG WATSON
15 Victoria Place, Carlisle CA1 1EW
Louise Duffy
Tel: 01228 690100
Email: louise.duffy@armstrongwatson.co.uk

BEGBIES TRAYNOR GROUP LLP
32 Cornhill, London EC3V 3BT
Cally Watson
Tel: 020 7398 3800
Email: cally.watson@begbies-traynor.com

BEGBIES TRAYNOR GROUP TAX LLP
19 George Rd
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 1NU
Jill Inns
Tel: 0121 452 1515
Email: jill.inns@begbies-traynor.com

BREBNERS
The Quadrangle
180 Wardour Street
London W1V 4LB
Tracy Waller
Tel: 020 7734 2244
Email: tracy.waller@brebners.com

BUZZACOTT LLP
12 New Fetter Lane
London EC4A 1AG
Cheryl Gowdie
Tel: 020 7556 1224
Email: gowdiec@buzzacott.co.uk

DUNCAN & TOPLIS
3 Castlegate
Grantham
Lincolnshire
NG31 6SF
Debby Brewin
Tel: 01476 591200
Email: debby@duntop.co.uk

FPM ACCOUNTANTS LLP
Dromalane Mill
The Quays
Newry, Co Down
BT35 8QS
Feargal P. McCormack
Tel: 028 3026 1010
Email: f.mccormack@fpmca.com

JAMES COWPER LLP
Phoenix House
Bartholomew Street
Newbury
Berkshire RG14 5QA
Anne Millar
Tel: 01635 35255
Email: amillar@jamescowper.co.uk

KINGSTON SMITH LLP
Devonshire House
60 Goswell Road
London EC1M 7AD
John Staniforth
Tel: 020 7566 4000
Email: jstaniforth@kingstonsmith.co.uk

LUBBOCK FINE
Russell Bedford House
City Forum 250 City Road
London EC1V 2QQ
Brigid Armstrong
Jeff Gitter
Tel: 020 7490 7766
Email: brigidarmstrong@lubbockfine.co.uk
Email: jeffgitter@lubbockfine.co.uk

PRICE BAILEY LLP
Causeway House
1 Dane Street
Bishop Stortford
Herts CM23 3BT
Victoria Green
Tel: 01279 755888
Email: victoria.green@pricebailey.co.uk

REEVES & CO. LLP
Montague Place
Quayside
Chatham Maritime
Chatham
Kent ME4 4QU
Andrew Griggs
Tel: 01634 899800
Email: andrew.griggs@reeves-neylan.com

SHIPLEYS LLP
10 Orange Street
Haymarket
London WC2H 7QD
Jane Henman
Tel: 020 7312 0000
DDI: 020 7312 6557
Email: henmanj@shipleys.com

APA member firms are represented worldwide through international groupings and their own overseas offices. The members of the Association of Practising Accountants are successful independent firms of Chartered Accountants. They value their independence highly but have joined forces to promote a greater awareness of the excellence of medium sized firms.