Langricks Chartered Accountants in Wilmslow has offered career opportunities to several young professionals and is now seeing that belief rewarded at a time of increased demand for financial and accountancy professionals and a marked lack of available skills.
According to research and insight specialists IHS Markit the private financial services sector is showing the highest increase in vacancies for permanent workers (January 2018) while at the same time availability of candidates has dropped at the fastest rate for two years.
Chris Langrick commented: “It is certainly the most challenging picture I have seen, hence our focus on bringing through enthusiastic, younger individuals who we can shape and develop.”
The move reflects a wider trend of non-graduate entry into the accountancy profession with firms picking up students much earlier and offering them an alternative ‘earning while learning’ route into the sector – a strategy supported by Chris who also took this way in, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant at the age of 22.
Senior Associate Will Sant, 26, will qualify as a Chartered Accountant in July 2019 and describes his working and studying journey at Langricks as a new lease of life.
He said: “I completed my AAT training in 2014 and took a couple of years off studying but now I know what I want. At Langricks there is a clear career path with plenty of variety and responsibility and constant support along the way. I am already involved in a portfolio of clients – it’s great to work for many businesses. I want to continue doing that and get to a stage when I can use my knowledge to add real value and help companies grow. “
Associate Lizzie Hill, 21, has re-joined Langricks on a level 7 ACA apprenticeship after becoming Level 3 AAT qualified at another accountancy firm, which followed a stint with a leading pension provider. She is now studying towards her own ACA qualifications at the firm – due to qualify in March 2021 – while working for clients preparing annual accounts and VAT returns.
She says of the atmosphere for young people: “It’s a relaxed, friendly place to be studying and working for clients and we are certainly made to feel appreciated. Langricks make plenty of investments in young people and it’s clear they believe in us and think it is a great route into the profession.”
Junior Associate George Yates, 20, is currently studying for AAT qualifications with Total People in Middlewich and is well on his way, passing recent exams first time. He said: “I aim to be a qualified accountant by the age of 25.”
Langricks’s newest recruit is 18-year old Tilda Tobias who has just joined as an Associate after completing A levels at Aquinas College in Stockport.
Director Chris Langrick said he was delighted with progress for all: “In the face of shortages in the profession and yet increase in demand for our services we are building a workforce for the future. Will, Lizzie and George all show immense potential. It is important that we as employers recognise this and give opportunities when we can.”
