Dressed for success

E ight more recruits have joined leading northern Lincolnshire accountancy training provider Forrester Boyd's scholarship programme.

The fully-funded scheme, which spans between two and five years, factors in existing qualifications, ability, aspirations and entry level.

And a recent 75th anniversary celebration for the firm gave the organisation the opportunity to assess how important the training is.

Seven of the firm's 14 partners came through the ranks while all of its accountancy managers were trained through Forrester Boyd.

Kevin Hopper, the partner with responsibility for training, said: "We are very proud of the continuing investment being made in our training programmes. There is a variety of qualifications that the recruits take through Forrester Boyd. They are tailor-made to the students' abilities and learning skills."

Of the 140-strong workforce across its three northern Lincolnshire offices, 31 are students. On average, £20,000 will be invested in training each one.

Mr Hopper said: "People from the local area are benefiting from our training commitment as we recruit local raw talent and turn them into highly skilled, knowledgeable, well rounded professionals with sound business understanding.

"Indeed, some of the leaders in our business community have trained and qualified through our scholarship.

"The firm benefits, too, as we have high-calibre, focused and committed staff who have lived in the area and understand the dynamics of local businesses."

Kaplan Financial is the external provider for the company, which has offices in Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Louth.

One grateful recipient is Alex Katsidis, 24, of Grimsby, a former student at Caistor Grammar School. He has qualified as a chartered certified accountant through the scholarship programme.

He said: "Forrester Boyd helped me to strike the right balance between secular work and study so I had ample time for both, and never placed too much pressure on me.

"The work-based training I received was excellent and substantial so that, by the time I was qualified, I had a comprehensive, practical understanding of the profession, as well as an academic knowledge.

"I would certainly recommend them as an employer."

Another similarly successful recruit is 24-year-old Matthew Priest, from Scunthorpe, and a former pupil at the town's Frederick Gough School and John Leggott College.

He said: "It was a tough challenge trying to balance studying around work, but with Forrester Boyd's support and flexibility I was able to pass each exam at the first attempt, and even fit in a bit of a social life."

Human resources manager Lesley Morrison said: "Professional accountancy qualifications are not easy and our success over the years is a tribute to the hard work put in by those taking the examinations as well as the quality of the training provided.

"Our students balance a full-time job with the additional work they have to put in to get the qualifications. They are committed and want to succeed."