Graduate Accountant Training Scheme

Barnes Roffe is an independent firm of chartered accountants and business advisers with three main offices in and around London. We have been providing audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk management and tax services to owner-managers and corporates since 1899.

We are one of the UK top 50 accounting firms and our 26 partners and over 170 employees are all committed to delivering outstanding value to our clients.

What makes us different

Barnes Roffe is a medium-sized firm and that means you are a big fish in a small pond.

The partners and managers know who you are, they are interested in you and your progression within the firm. There is always an open door policy from our partners and managers.

Successes are recognised and responsibility is given early on meaning you can develop your knowledge and skills as an accountant at a much faster pace.

We are a team, we work together, we help each other, we train each other, we share knowledge among each other and we get the job done together.

Student Profile

• Name: Lola May Pearce
• Job Title: Trainee Chartered Accountant
• Location: London
• University: Loughborough
• Degree: Maths undergraduate degree and masters.
• Areas of Specialism: Audit and Assurance

I completed my A Levels in Maths, Chemistry and Geography in North London and then went on to study at Loughborough University. Over the next 4 years I worked towards achieving a first-class Maths undergraduate degree and masters. At the start of 2023 I went travelling for 6 months in Central and South America and upon my return was ready to throw myself into the working world. I knew I wanted to pursue a career that would utilise my past education, but I was also looking to gain new skills and meet new people. I felt instantly drawn to Barnes Roffe when I applied. The process felt more personable than others I had experienced and throughout everyone I had contact with made me more sure that it would be the place for me to start out the next big step in my life.

Why accounting?

I wanted a challenge but also to pursue something that would be a pathway to a long-term career. It can be daunting finishing university so for me there was a balance between being able to start out with a role that had me working and learning on the job but also still had a studying element to it, with completing the ACA qualification. Accountancy provides an opportunity to learn lots of new skills and also apply your own knowledge and experience at work. There are also vast options and opportunities to be explored in the accounting world so you open yourself up to being able to find the right area of work for you.

My qualifications

Having come from a background in maths, I was definitely not clued up in terms of accountancy. However, I have now completed 9 of the 15 ICAEW ACA exams and have passed them all first time. The exams are very challenging and for some it's the first time they experience academic failure but for me coming in with no previous experience I am definitely an advocate for you get what you put in and with the hard work and motivation, passing these exams is more than achievable. You get to work with extremely knowledgeable tutors who support you through the process as well as getting to share the experience and ups and downs with other graduates which can be really helpful to get you through the qualification.

My current role

I currently work as an audit semi-senior which involves preparing accounts, corporation tax computations and mainly the audit of company financial statements. This usually involves working as part of a team to complete the job as well as interacting with a wide variety of clients. It's great being able to work in different teams and learn from all those around you. The role involves travelling and working at client offices which provides a great insight into the operations of different industries. A great thing about Barnes Roffe is the close-knit working environment, there is always support and you get to see first-hand how colleges at all levels within the firm work. A big part of the role is also supporting new members of the team and passing on knowledge and advice to allow the continued success of the Barnes Roffe team.

My future plans

The aim is to hopefully continue with the success I have had in my ACA exams so far and qualify as soon as possible. I have been at Barnes Roffe for just over a year now and have learnt so much both through work and studying. I have been surrounded by such amazing people and can't wait to give back to the firm over the remainder of my training contract and after that continue working my way up. At Barnes Roffe there is a clear and achievable path for progression and the regular opportunities to receive feedback will hopefully allow me to continue on that path. I've had lots of new experience over the last year, but I know there's still so much more to be learnt and I'm excited for what's to come and all the opportunities that lie ahead.

My advice

The best thing to remember is everyone has been in your position, and you're surrounded by people who are willing to help. The more questions you ask the better and although at times it can seem overwhelming the process does have an end and it's all worth it, hard work is always worth it! I would also say make the most of all the opportunities that are given to you and always be up for rising to a challenge. Barnes Roffe is also a very social work place which provides the perfect opportunity to get to know those you work with in a less formal setting which is particularly helpful when you first start out to help you settle in and make you feel comfortable!