A LEADING Cumbrian accountancy firm is widening the opportunities available to students following the appointment of a new Student Training Partner.
Sophie Graham has worked with Saint & Co Chartered Accountants for more than 20 years and will oversee the training pathways of the company’s trainees and apprentices in her new role.
Since the appointment, Sophie has promoted further opportunities for local people to create careers in accountancy and has extended Saint & Co’s training programme across its sites in Cumbria.
Previously, all ACA students were trained from the firm’s headquarters on Carlisle’s Rosehill Industrial Estate, but this has recently been expanded with its bases in Wigton and Ambleside now also designated as ICAEW Student Training Offices.
Sophie said: “I’m so happy to be appointed as the Student Training Partner at Saint & Co to play a role in the ongoing career development of trainees and apprentices working with the firm.
“It seemed a natural progression as I’ve always enjoyed mentoring and helping people working towards their qualifications, and I have always been able to build good rapports with our students.
“I’m passionate about providing as much support to students as possible to ensure they can develop their understanding and knowledge of accountancy, and we want to provide opportunities to as many people across our locations.
“As a mother of two, I know how important it is to be afforded the flexibility and support to fit your work around your busy home life, and we are considerate of this to ensure we can offer opportunities to a wide range of people from those coming into work after starting a family to those entering the workplace straight from school or university.”
Sophie started at Saint & Co in 2003 as a graduate, and studied for her Chartered Accountant qualification at the company with the support of the then Student Training Partner, Peter Boothroyd.
She was promoted to the role of Audit Manager, a position she held for eight years, after showing a real talent within the specialism.
In 2023, Sophie was made a Partner at the firm, and her more recent appointment as Student Training Partner will see her assume further responsibilities in ensuring all students working with Saint & Co receive the best level of training and support.
Sophie said: “The help and guidance from Saint & Co when I was training was amazing and so gratefully received, and I want to replicate and develop this to help other students progressing in the industry.”
Saint & Co has offices throughout Cumbria in Carlisle, Wigton, Ambleside, Cockermouth, Penrith, Millom and Whitehaven, and across Dumfries & Galloway in Dumfries, Annan, Castle Douglas and Gatehouse of Fleet.
The company has an annual intake of apprentices each September, and is always on the lookout for keen, talented trainees wishing to embark on a career in accountancy. More details are available at www.saint.co.uk/join-us or by emailing sophie.graham@saint.co.uk.
If you know anyone who may benefit from our newsletters and updates, please feel free to forward this blog or ask them to opt in to our mailing list.
