18-year-old Luke Clives of Banbury is the first school leaver to join Whitley Stimpson’s higher apprentice scheme, which is backed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Luke, who left North Oxfordshire Academy with A levels in economics, maths, IT and business, said: “I am really pleased. I thought long and hard about this and decided that I would rather take this professional course than go to university.
“I think it is a practical way to gain qualifications and I will be happy in the knowledge that I am working for a company that values its employees.”
Human resources manager Tracy Williams said: “We look forward to welcoming Luke. He is the first trainee to join us at this level. The Higher Apprenticeships are ideal for young people with A levels at UCAS 300 points level and lead to the Institute’s Certificate in Finance.”
The training course also represents the first six exams for the Institute’s chartered accountancy qualification, the ACA, and offers a qualification in assurance and audit or in tax matters.
Luke, whose main hobby is football, will be working at the company’s Banbury office.
Whitley Stimpson, one of the largest independent accountancy firms in the area with offices in Banbury, Bicester, High Wycombe and Witney, was recently named as being as one of the top ten accountancy employers in the country by Accountancy Age, the leading publication in the accountancy world.
Earlier the company was named as being in the top 100 accountants and business advisers in the country. Details of the company, which serves businesses and individuals, are available on its website at www.whitleystimpson.co.uk
The company continues to grow and during the last year recruited 27 members of staff and a further five trainees, who will earn while they learn through the Whitley Stimpson in-house training scheme.
Whitley Stimpson recruits from the area in which it operates and supports sport and the arts. Some of its directors began their careers as trainees with the company.