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How work experience led to an exciting career for Alice
We pride ourselves on staff development at David Allen, and Alice Beattie’s journey is a great example of how early opportunities can lead to a fulfilling and progressive career.
Alice joined the firm in 2017 after finishing school, beginning her career as an Accounts Apprentice within the Agriculture team. Her decision to apply followed a week of work experience with the firm, and after just three days she knew David Allen was the right place for her. The professionalism of the team, combined with a welcoming and supportive environment, confirmed that this was where she wanted to build her career.
In May 2021, Alice successfully completed her Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification and was promoted to Accounts Assistant. From there, her career progressed quickly. She was promoted to Accounts Senior in July 2021 and then to Agriculture Supervisor in January 2023, reflecting both her growing technical expertise and her commitment to client care.
Alongside her role, Alice continued to develop professionally by working towards becoming a Chartered Accountant. Achieving her ACA qualification marked a significant milestone in her career and is something she is extremely proud of. Support from colleagues and managers throughout the firm played an important part in helping her reach this goal, reinforcing David Allen’s commitment to staff development at every stage.
Now an Agricultural Manager, Alice heads up the Agricultural Accountancy team, combining her technical knowledge with her lifelong passion for farming. Having grown up on her family farm, she brings valuable insight into the agricultural sector and a genuine understanding of the challenges faced by farming clients. Client care sits at the heart of everything the team does, and Alice finds it particularly rewarding to see businesses grow and succeed as a result of the advice and support provided.
Away from the office, and when she is not busy on the farm, Alice is Treasurer of the Penrith Agricultural Society. This role allows her to remain closely involved with the local community, with the highlight of the year being the Penrith Show in July. Celebrating agriculture in Cumbria and seeing the quality of local livestock on display is something she greatly enjoys.
Alice’s journey shows how work experience can be the first step towards a successful and rewarding career, supported by strong values, professional development and a genuine passion for the industry.
