Training

Prospects

Qualification with a medium sized firm opens up a wide spectrum of employment not only within the firm where partnership is of course a possibility.

Professional practices of all sizes welcome candidates with very good accounting experience matched by knowledge of large firm audit techniques and a large exposure to different types of business. Commercial concerns are equally welcoming to candidates who are strong in accounting and are used to ‘doing’ not only checking.

Past students have gone on to become finance directors of public companies, partners in professional practices and used their knowledge to set up and run their own non-professional businesses. Whichever direction is chosen we feel that the training given here should give you a sound base from which to expand your knowledge and achieve your goals.

Staff comment

My name is Jennifer Austin. I graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Mathematics, joined Brebners in September 2003, and qualified as a chartered accountant in October 2006.

When looking at possible careers and which firms to apply to on leaving university, there were several areas I considered. Having come from a numerical background, I did not want to leave this behind entirely; however I also wanted the opportunity to gain general business knowledge in a variety of situations. On looking at various options, it seemed that accountancy would give me that balance between numerical, business and management experience that I was looking for.

Next, the firm. Anyone training to be a chartered accountant is going to be working in their firm for a minimum of three years, so finding out about practices and the options available is clearly important. For me, I first considered the size of the firm. Although the “Big Four” firms are able to take on a large number of graduates with high profile clients, they also appeared to give a narrower breadth of experience than is offered by smaller firms, being primarily audit experience on similarly classed clients at the junior, semi-senior and senior level. Medium sized firms seemed to give the opportunity to work on a range of clients with the prospect for greater responsibility at an earlier stage of training.
When looking at firms to apply to I also considered the areas of business the firms were involved in. Brebners seemed to have a good balance between smaller personal clients, owner-managed businesses and larger companies that required audits. Since I was looking for a wide range of work experience, this appealed to me. I also wanted to ensure there would be enough trainees and staff for there to be organised social events and occasions, and with, on average, six trainees a year, Brebners again seemed to tick this box.

My time at Brebners began being sent on the audit of a large plc. With tasks being asked of you from day one, the experience can be daunting, but for me was ultimately satisfying as I picked up what needed to be done. Mistakes are seen as learning experiences (at least the first time they’re made!), and there are always other trainees or managers around to help and guide. You are not expected to be able to understand everything straight away, but common sense and asking intelligent questions do mean tasks that seemed nerve-wracking at first are soon run of the mill. By being given the opportunity to see and understand the working practices straight away, good habits are established early which give the confidence to cope with enhanced responsibility later on.

During my training at Brebners I worked on a wide variety of clients and work, including leading an audit of a large plc’s pension scheme with two people working for me, completing a small audit of a tourist attraction on my own in my second year, time spent with the tax department as well as a variety of accounts preparations and audit experience. I have gained knowledge of several accounting packages and systems, and have had contact with clients whose accounting understanding ranges from expert to none, giving me valuable experience in being able to explain my work to others clearly and concisely.

Since qualifying, Brebners have worked with my strengths to provide a role that complements my abilities. All ideas are listened to, which has led to me helping to implement additional staff training on our systems to enhance the working knowledge of trainees. I have also had the opportunity to work on a forensic accounting assignment which was extremely interesting, as well as leading audits at a higher level and being given more responsibility in that role.

Brebners also aims to provide an all round experience. There are frequent social events organised; past events include a night at the dog stadium, cricket matches and bowling, as well as the annual quiz and regular drinks evenings organised by those who pass exams. I feel that the training and time I’ve spent at Brebners will prepare me well for the future, whichever area I may work in.

Training Contracts

Selection for interview is based on the completion of our application form. A good standard and spread of GCSE including English and Mathematics and reasonable A levels or equivalent together with expectation of either at least a credit pass at Foundation level or a 2.1 class honours degree or better are the academic requirements. Personal qualities required are harder to define and measure and we do not expect or want to recruit 6 clones of existing staff. Since the method of studying for exams in the evenings is very demanding, certainly self discipline and commitment together with accuracy are important. In dealing with clients’ literacy, tact and diplomacy come to the fore and in dealing with your colleagues and the partners a sense of humour will prove invaluable!

Studying for the exams is managed by SWAT UK, a company funded by a number of medium sized firms to provide full time internal training facilities.

External tutors are employed to provide the course materials and study packs for homework and full time interim and final revision courses taken prior to each professional examination. Prior to signing a training contract we require our students to successfully complete our intake course, which is a mixture of tuition and case studies. This course enables both parties to assess whether you have the right aptitude to succeed in future examination. It is the first of many courses and examinations to be attended and passed on the way to being admitted as a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Every six months, progress is formally monitored and reviewed by the training partner. Your study records, both of work experience and examinations, will be discussed with you and targets set for the future. The variety and level of work provided by the firm is planned in conjunction with the progress made in academic studies and previous experience.

Clearly, in a period where a little over two years training for graduates is dedicated to practical work, it is not possible to provide experience on all of our clients’. However assignments in general would not exceed three weeks and this enables greater variety of experience. Additionally where a client is of sufficient size we endeavour to ensure that trainees have experience on that specific client at junior, semi senior and senior levels.

It is our expectation that you will pass your examinations at the first attempt having properly prepared beforehand. Unfortunately this is not always the case. It should be stated however that our pass rates are consistently better than average. All study costs are paid by the firm for the first attempt at all examinations, thereafter costs of retakes, revisions and study leave are the student’s financial responsibility. Whilst this may seem rather harsh it is aimed at concentrating the mind on the task to hand. The disruptive effect, to work planning in the office, as well as home life, in organising additional leave and study, in order to retake an examination is better avoided.

Training Schedule

Below is a guide to the courses held in addition to those run for study purposes together with a brief guide to the type of work encountered during each year.