Why an apprenticeship was a great path to my AAT | Apprentice

Meet Sam Holmes

Sam has joined the firm as an AAT apprentice in 2018 and as is now ACA exam qualified. He reflects back on his time with the firm so far and why an apprenticeship was the right move for him.

He joined the firm following studying at Cardinal Newman College in Accounting, Statistics and Business Studies (securing two A*s and an A), before carrying on his studies at Preston College where he received his AAT followed by his ACA at Kaplan, and is now an integral part of our growing audit team.

Prior to joining Sam did explore university as an option to continue his studies, but he begins by explaining why on reflection, going to university wasn’t going to be the right move for him: “I did go to look at some universities. However, I soon realised that on the job learning would be better suited to me.

“When I spoke to the various universities, I discovered that it would take me three years to get my AAT qualification, but if I joined a firm like MHA under an apprenticeship programme I could get this qualification in just a year and a half.

“This coupled with the debt that I would avoid by going down the apprenticeship route instead and earning while I Iearnt meant that I knew that I wanted to start my career sooner rather than later.”

At just 23, Sam has been with the firm for nearly five years now, we ask him what life is like within the business and in particular working in our audit team. He continues: “Honestly, this is a great place to work, especially for apprentices and trainees."

“It is very busy but very rewarding at the same time. As much as you do sometimes go at 100mph, when you complete a big piece of work or project, you have time to reflect and look back on what you have achieved."

“Everyone is so nice at the firm we all support and help one another out. If someone is struggling there is always someone there to help out. You never feel alone and particularly in those early weeks and months when everything is so new, that level of support is invaluable."

Sam has seen the apprentice and trainee programme grow and change over the years; he says: “Even in the short few years that I’ve been involved in the programme I’ve seen it change from being very much based predominantly in Liverpool at the Kaplan Centre whereas now it is more agile with online working.

“This is really beneficial as you don’t have all of that travel time, which means you have more time to study. This is particularly helpful during the busy exam period having that extra time to prepare and revise.

“It’s great to see so many trainees and apprentices joining now, when you walk into the office you see them all working, talking and supporting one another and these numbers continue to grow year after year.”

We next ask Sam what advice he would offer an apprentice or trainee embarking on their journey now? Sam responds: “Work smarter not harder. Take a step back sometimes, pause and don’t be afraid to speak out if you’re not sure what to do.

If something is taking too long it’s probably because there is a quicker way to do it, but many people are afraid to ask. So never be afraid to speak up.”

Sam clearly has a great impression of the firm from his time here, so we ask why he would recommend us to other trainees and apprentices?

“As a firm we’re very supportive. When it comes to your studies in particular, especially when it comes to having time off to prepare for exams, you are supported and helped to not get stressed and overwhelmed and this is something that you don’t get everywhere.

“There’s also loads of people available to ask questions to as well. Plenty of people have been in the same boat as you and are always happy to offer support.”

We finally ask Sam to describe the firm in one word, he says… “Friendly”

Outside of work Sam is a keen sportsman in particular football, with him being a Liverpool fan, he also enjoys playing golf. When he’s not partaking in sport, he likes spending time with his Maltipoo dog Ralph.