Determined to Succeed

I started work for David Allen & Co in April 2002 when I was just 17. I actually applied for an Admin position but at the interview David mentioned a vacancy in the tax department which really sounded interesting, so that is where I started out.

At first I got involved in tax compliance work which involved completing clients’ tax returns and calculating any tax liabilities. I was really enjoying the work and started building up some good relationships with the clients I was dealing with. I knew that if I really wanted to get on and give clients appropriate and expert advice then I would need more qualifications.

I started studying towards the Association of Taxation Technicians qualification. There were 4 exams to take which covered Personal Tax, Business Tax, Accounting and Law. I passed all of these in May 2007 and decided to carry on and do the Chartered Tax training.

This was more intense and required more studying, but by July last year I had passed all the exams. I had to wait until I was presented with my certificate at the Guildhall in London, when I then became a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and I am now a fully qualified Chartered Tax Adviser.

My new role at David Allen & Co is a Tax Consultant and I now have the expertise to give clients the quality advice they need. I also specialise in dealing with Tax Enquiry work which involves providing valuable guidance with enquiries to ensure we get the best possible results for our clients.

I am able to do the work I enjoy because David Allen & Co believed in me and I had the determination to succeed.

Sarah Reilly

“Chartered Accountants – glad we stuck at it”

Mark James and Sarah Huntington have recently qualified as Chartered Accountants with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and the firm is very proud of them. Here are their stories:-

Mark
“I was fairly certain where I wanted my career to head when I was in the 6th form at school and I was keen on business studies and maths. Having got my A levels, I decided to go to Newcastle University and took a degree in Accountancy. I did really well there then started applying for jobs. I sent off applications for some of the big national firms like KPMG and PriceWaterhouse Coopers plus I applied to local firms, Dodd & Co, Saint & Co and David Allen & Co.

I knew in my heart I wanted to be with a firm where I could really make a difference and somewhere that was passionate about looking after people so I accepted the job at David Allen & Co and embarked on a three year training contract to study to be a Chartered Accountant. It was hard work but I was given time away from the office to study at Newcastle and there were some good memories too like the time my group sat our first mock exam then hit the pub where we watched the England cricket team win back the Ashes.

I am really pleased I stuck at it and I am now fully qualified”.

Sarah
“I started my career at Accountancy firm Dodd & Co in Carlisle where I started studying towards my Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification. I knew I wanted to further myself and become a Chartered Accountant but there were no opportunities available at Dodd & Co at that time so I looked for a career move and was offered a job at David Allen & Co.

Like Mark, I was also given the opportunity to start on a three year training contract and given time to complete my studies at Newcastle. As I had already completed my AAT, I could finish the training 1 year earlier as you are able to backdate your work experience. I was delighted in August when I got my results and found out I had passed all three final exams. I applied for membership to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and became a member in January.

I am now officially a Chartered Accountant and all the hard work and determination was well worth it”.
Mark James & Sarah Huntington

Management Development

I joined David Allen & Co in March last year and took up the position of Corporate Services Manager, which I knew technically, I was more than capable of, having undertaken studying and exams to become a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser.

What I had never done before though was, be in charge of a team of staff to lead and motivate them to achieve the high standards our firm is all about.

But I needn’t have worried as the firm could not have been more helpful. Straight from the outset, I was given guidance and support and I was offered a chance to train towards the Level 3 Award in First Line Management with a locally based training company, Julie Bell Consulting Ltd.

The course was a 5 day training programme run over 5 weeks. There were sections covering motivation of staff, discipline, training and effectiveness, delegation and how to plan and prioritise work. I also had to complete a project on something that I was keen to implement in my workplace, which was then submitted to the Institute of Leadership and Management for assessment.

I am really pleased that I passed and the whole training process has been really worthwhile. I feel much more confident and organised in my role and I can now build on these new skills which will benefit the whole team at David Allen & Co.

Carl Gibson