Training for success in financial futures

“Things have been jogging along nicely for the last few years” says Managing Partner, Patrick Lee, “but over the last twelve to eighteen months, we have seen significant growth, both in new business and with the expansion of services to existing clients”.

Ashdown Hurrey has long had a policy of investing in training for its professional staff and to meet demand, it has taken on four new members of staff in its Hastings office and two in Bexhill.

The recruits have been drawn from students recently completing their A’ levels or degrees; some have had existing commercial experience and some are completely new to the environment. In general, new recruits will spend an initial period becoming familiar with the activities of the company and then move forward to a professional training regime as Accounting Technicians, Chartered or Certified Accountants.

Hastings associate, Kathryn Baker, who was fully involved in the recruitment process, says “Recruiting fully-fledged accountants with the right experience is fairly difficult.

We have found that by working with the trainees from an early stage, they receive the tailored training we want them to have.

This has proved to be mutually beneficial, with almost all of the senior positions in the practice now filled by people who have trained with us and from the trainees’ point of view, they can see that a worthwhile career awaits them”.

Katie Bennett, who completed her degree this year, says “I first went to Ashdown Hurrey a number of years ago when I undertook my school work experience placement and I enjoyed the experience enough to stay in contact. Getting professional training placements is still very difficult for university graduates and I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue my training with such a well-regarded local firm”.

Tony Ripley got the appetite for accountancy during an earlier job with a local bookkeeping company. Tony says “I started my AAT training to become an Accounting Technician in my previous job and I was pleased get the opportunity to continue with this.

“Eventually, if I am successful, I would like to move on to one of the senior professional qualifications”.

Ashdown Hurrey is pleased to see the encouraging signs in the local business environment and to have the opportunity of contributing to local business success.

Their investment in the training of new recruits provides great career prospects for a number of young and enthusiastic individuals starting on their career paths and enables the practice to meet the demands of their growing 
client base.