High five as accountancy firm HWB welcomes latest trainees

A LEADING Hampshire accountancy firm has welcomed five new starters including a graduate trainee keen to begin their careers in the professional services sector.

The new recruits at HWB will work in roles involving accounting, audit, tax advice and compliance, and payroll and pension administration.

Their arrivals take the number of college leavers and trainees brought in by the Chandler’s Ford-based firm in the past three years to more than 20.

All are engaged in helping to manage HWB’s expanding business in line with growing demand for accountancy services and business advice.

While learning on the job, trainees study towards industry qualifications hosted by bodies such as the Association of Chartered Accountants (ACA), the Association of Tax Technicians (ATT) and the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).

This year’s intake includes Trainee Accountant Chris Ellison who previously completed a year’s placement at the firm before graduating at The University of the West of England in Bristol. Having returned, Chris will now study towards an ACA qualification.

Trainee Tax Assistant Tiam Bakhtiar will work in the Tax Compliance Team on tax returns and study towards ATT qualification while two Trainee Payroll Administrators, Tom Munn and Matthew Stephens, will help the Payroll Team to run payrolls and pension administration for clients. Both will study towards CIPP qualification.

At the same time, Bournemouth University student Mark McFadden is starting a year’s placement, spending time in each of HWB’s departments before returning in summer 2023 to complete the final year of his degree.

HWB Operations Director Tracy Jenkins said: “We work very closely with schools, colleges and universities in our region to encourage new entrants to the profession.

“It’s a joy to welcome the latest cohort of young people who have made it through our selection process.

“I wish each of them every success as they progress in their careers and help us continue to serve our expanding client base.”

Chartered accountants HWB provides business and tax advice.