Trainee Success Stories

“The accounting route was always the career pathway for me and after listening to a number of accountancy firms come in and speak to us at college, Champion stood out to me, particularly their Platinum ACCA accreditation.

“For those who are thinking of applying for Champion’s trainee programme, I’d say to try and get as much experience as possible, even if it’s a placement or a part-time job, as this helps you to stand out from the crowd. Also, be yourself and you’ll go far.”

“I came across Champion after seeing an advertisement on my college’s message board and attending their talk. I favoured a smaller business where I could hit the ground running from day one and found the whole application process very simple.

“There’s far less support at college for those who choose the earn while you learn route compared to those who decide to go to university, yet this didn’t phase me. With accountancy, you don’t need to go to university to fast track your career; and that really appealed to me. Champion wanted someone enthusiastic, hard working and committed, as they could teach the rest.

“Having joined Champion as a trainee in 2021, my career journey has propelled at pace, which sees me now manage a small portfolio of clients where I’m their day-to-day contact. I was trained by a former trainee, which was incredibly helpful as they knew what I was experiencing and exactly what to teach me. Since transitioning into the management accounts team, the amount of support from the business has never wavered. The entire team are on hand to answer questions and I can see my confidence building. I’ve benefitted incredibly from the exposure to various clients, as my college classmates in industry are pigeonholed into their single sector/business. I’m excited to see where my career takes me, as I work towards becoming a fully qualified accountant and supporting larger clients.”

“I went to uni to study IT and Business, but I had no idea what career I wanted to pursue. An accountancy module sparked my financial interest, and after university, I set about finding a trainee placement and qualifying as an accountant. Because I had a degree, I could skip my AAT and begin with my ACCA, qualifying in summer 2009. I then took on responsibility within audits, before becoming a client manager, the position I hold today. I now oversee a growing portfolio of businesses as their key point of contact and strategic advisor.

“You don’t need to go to university to become an accountant; you just need to be willing to put in the work. You can learn everything in a traineeship, studying as you work. Of course, you’ll need good communication and self-motivation, as there’s a lot of independent study alongside your job, but it definitely pays off and is all worth it.”