My Career Choice

Nikki Vigers

, a final year Chartered Student at our Exeter office, says:

"Although I had heard of Francis Clark previously, it was not until meeting them at my University’s careers fair that I became aware of the opportunities this firm had to offer. I found that the locality of the firm suited me and they offered a great development programme along with a good work-life balance.

I joined the Exeter office in September 2009. Since joining the team I’ve found that everyone is friendly and always willing to help. I really enjoy working as part of an audit team and as a result of this I meet a variety of different clients across the south west.

I have benefited most from attending the Reed Business School to study for my ACA exams. The tutors at Reed are helpful and it’s great to be able to make friends with other young professionals going through the same experiences."

James West

, a Chartered Student at our Exeter office, says:

My first experience at Francis Clark was a week’s work experience and I was struck by the supportive atmosphere, twinned with a strong focus towards delivering excellent customer service.  I joined six months later and my experience so far has only been positive.  Joining Francis Clark as a non-finance graduate, I was impressed with the support I was given throughout my first few months as a new trainee.

Taking a secondment to other departments is encouraged and I have spent time in our business services department, which has greatly broadened my experience. Once I have completed my studies, it will be this exposure which will allow me to choose which area of accountancy (and office) I would like to further my career.

Alongside working with a wide range of clients, Francis Clark provides a series of courses over the length of the training contract, which focus on developing professional skills.  I have found these both interesting and enjoyable, whilst growing a wider range of skills to complement my career progression. The tuition for exams takes place in an incredible business school in the Cotswolds and I could not imagine studying anywhere else.

The office regularly gathers for social activities which can be anything from a meal at a restaurant, to running around in the woods playing laser tag!  This time out of the office is a great way to relax and enhances the work life balance that Francis Clark offers.

Sam Mavin

, a final year Chartered Student at our Plymouth office, says:

"My previous employment, first introduced me to some of the employees and partners of Francis Clark. I have always found representatives of Francis Clark to be very professional and approachable. Personally, I am very driven by providing good customer care and having previously referred some of my past customers to Francis Clark as a supplier with similar values, I have never been disappointed, and always found the feedback to be very positive.

Since making the decision to change my career path and enter the accountancy profession, Francis Clark was my natural point of contact for further information. I was provided with information about the Chartered route and I was very happy to hear that Francis Clark themselves would be accepting vacancies.

I am now one year through my training; the course itself has proved to be every bit as challenging as I expected, and the support I have received from my colleagues, as well as my manager has helped immensely."

Ross Bickerton

, a Chartered Student at our Taunton office, says:

After graduating from the University of Oxford with a degree in Experimental Psychology, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in accountancy. I was extremely fortunate that Francis Clark were looking to recruit a graduate trainee at that time, so was able to join the firm in September 2011.

Although I have been aware of Francis Clark for a number of years now, it was not until applying to work here that I realised how professional, yet friendly, the set-up is. My application was handled extremely quickly and from my first communication with the firm, everyone has been very welcoming.  The process of applying for a new job can be highly stressful, but Francis Clark did everything possible to put me at ease.

When I joined the firm I was quickly made to feel very welcome by the other members of my office, but also made to feel like part of the wider Francis Clark community.  It is this sense of community that attracted me to Francis Clark, above some of the larger firms, as I really feel like a valued member of the team here, rather than just another face in the crowd.

I am very much looking forward to training with Francis Clark and gaining valuable and varied work experience, as I feel the firm offers a very supportive atmosphere in which to develop my career.

Magdalena Bobon

, a Chartered Student at our Exeter office, says:

I am originally from Poland and have been living in the UK for nearly 6 years.  I have always enjoyed working with numbers, but am also interested in the way businesses operate in different sectors and what makes some of them successful while others fail.  For these reasons, the accountancy profession has always been my preferred career choice.  However, my language skills did not allow me to pursue that goal in the UK.  I was learning English while working in the catering industry.  I was also attending accountancy and business related courses at a local college.  My language skills improved greatly and I found new employment at a local firm of chartered accountants, where I gained my first accountancy experience.  I also completed an Accounting and Finance degree at the University of Exeter and took ATT exams while working part-time as a trainee accountant.

When the opportunity came to work for Francis Clark I was extremely excited.  I was aware of firm’s prestige and high quality of services provided to clients.  I joined the Exeter office in July 2011 and I am currently working in the Business Services department, which prepares financial and management accounts, VAT returns and tax computations for both unincorporated businesses and companies.  The varied client base and professional, friendly team create an interesting and challenging work environment.  The atmosphere in the office is very friendly and everyone is always helpful. I am now studying towards the ICAEW ACA qualification.  The training takes place at Reed Business School, one of the best professional qualifications tuition centres in the country.
Chris Madeley

Chris Madeley

, a Chartered student at our Truro office, says:

I was already aware of both Francis Clark and Winter Rule when it came to applying for graduate ACA vacancies in my 3rdyear of a Business and Accounting degree.  I had decided I wanted to stay in Cornwall and therefore applied to Winter Rule.  I was subsequently offered a position as a trainee chartered accountant.  Throughout Cornwall, Winter Rule has a fantastic reputation and this is what particularly attracted me to the firm.

The atmosphere in the office is both professional and friendly.  Everyone is very approachable and if I have any queries regarding my studies, there are numerous people who are always willing to help.  Aside from my colleagues, the tutors at Reed Business School are great. They are happy for you to call or email them at any time if you have a query regarding an element of a course.

Since joining in September 2010, I have worked in a number of different areas of the business.  This has included working in the corporate department auditing companies and preparing accounts and also in the tax department preparing personal tax returns for various clients.

The merger with Francis Clark for me, as a graduate trainee chartered accountant, will undoubtedly provide enhanced career opportunities and the possibility of working out of Cornwall in the future without leaving the firm.  It is also encouraging for me to see many staff in senior positions, having also completed their training with the firm.