Entering the world of accountancy can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. For graduates like Holly, Maria, and Lucy, joining HAT Group’s accountancy training programme was a transformative step into their professional careers. Coming from a variety of academic backgrounds—ranging from Mathematics to Classics—each of them found support, guidance, and growth within their respective HAT member firms. In this article, they share their unique journeys, detailing the initial weeks of training, the reasons they chose HAT Group, and the benefits of working with smaller firms. Their stories offer valuable insights for anyone considering a similar path.
Holly’s story - ACA Trainee at Simmons Gainsford LLP
I graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Mathematics. Although my degree developed my analytical and problem-solving skills, I had no previous accountancy experience. This was something I was very nervous about before starting however, I really hadn’t needed to be as most of the other HAT trainees were in the same boat as I was.
What were your first few weeks like?
We spent the entire first month attending training courses in college which was a great opportunity to bond with my HAT intake. The courses gave me the necessary knowledge to be able to jump straight into preparing accounts when I finally started in the office.
Everyone at Simmons Gainsford was friendly and accommodating so I settled into the team quickly. This made it easy for me to be able to ask people for help when I needed it- which I am sure my senior will say I did a lot! I was sent to clients very early on which gave me much more experience and therefore more confidence in my role.
Why did you apply to HAT Group?
The reason I applied to HAT Group was because of its specialism in small to medium sized accountancy firm but, the training they provide is as good all the larger firms. I really believe that you get more experience earlier on by working at a smaller firm, which has been invaluable to me. Within a couple of months at SG I was already going on audits which added a new dynamic to the role and allowed me to continue learning and progressing.
I wanted to work in a place with a friendly and inviting environment in which you can get to know everyone and I have definitely achieved that by working at SG.
Although juggling work and exams can be tricky, it has definitely been worth the challenge. I am so pleased that I joined HAT Group and I am excited to see what my future with HAT will hold!
Maria’s story - Trainee at Wilder Coe LLP
Hello! My name is Maria and I began my training contract with the HAT member firm Wilder Coe LLP. I didn’t come from an accountancy background – I graduated from Northumbria University with a Spanish and Business degree, and then worked for Procter & Gamble for 4 years. I must admit that I was nervous about applying for training contracts, as I thought I was too “old” to be classed as a “graduate”. However, six months into my training contract I can honestly say it was the best career move I could have made.
Why did you apply to HAT Group?
I decided to apply with HAT Group as, after working for four years in a huge global organisation, I wanted to experience working for smaller sized firm whilst being given a well-structured and balanced study schedule. It’s been great getting to know students from other HAT member firms and to spend time together as a group during study and training courses (and sometimes when the course is over in the pub!).
What’s it been like working at Wilder Coe LLP?
At Wilder Coe I have been given the opportunity to work with various clients in a number of industries. I have worked on all areas of an audit and have also completed various accounts preparation jobs. I definitely believe that the level of experience I have gained and the responsibility I have been given so soon into my training contract could only be possible in a smaller sized firm.
The work isn’t easy but it is definitely rewarding! It is great to be able to apply my knowledge from exam studies to my everyday role.
Lucy’s story – ACA Trainee at Lewis Golden LLP
My name is Lucy and I started as an ACA Trainee at Lewis Golden LLP in Marylebone, London. Although I studied Maths and Further Maths for my A-Levels, my Classics degree didn’t provide much in the way of numbers or calculations, so the decision to become an accountant was somewhat of a surprise to my friends. However, a degree like Classics is full of problem solving and analysis, skills which are vital to an accountant, so it just shows that you do not need to have studied Maths or Finance to become an accountant. In fact, there are very few people in the office who studied Maths at university; we cover all subjects, from English and Music, to Business and Geography.
What does being a Trainee Accountant entail?
The life of a trainee is varied, with time split between studying at college for the ACA exams and working on real clients in the office. The first month of my training contract was spent partly in college, where I studied for the first two exams, Accounting and Assurance, and partly with HAT. Whereas the college courses were largely theoretical, the HAT courses taught us how to put the theory into practice, and we completed our first mock accounts prep and audit. This prepared us for going into the office in September, where we were immediately given real-life accounting work.
What are the benefits of training in a HAT Group firm?
One of the best things about training in a HAT firm is that you have all the benefits of being in a smaller firm, like working on lots of different clients, being given responsibility early on and having a very close knit group of colleagues, but you are also part of a larger intake of trainees in HAT firms. You do all your courses with the same intake group, so you quickly become friends with other trainees from different firms across London, and can compare your similar experiences and hear about how other firms operate.
While training, we are given exposure to a variety of clients, and we work in many different areas in the firm, although our main base is in the Audit and Accounts team. The past few months in the office have been filled with accounts work, but now I am about to go on my first audit, to a client in North London, and I will start learning all about tax in my college courses later this month, so the job is certainly varied!
The experiences shared by Holly, Maria, and Lucy highlight the unique benefits of starting a career in accountancy with the HAT Group. Whether it's the comprehensive training, early exposure to real client work, or the supportive environment, each graduate has found a strong foundation for their professional growth. Despite coming from different academic and career backgrounds, they’ve all thrived within their HAT member firms, gaining valuable skills and building lasting connections. For those considering a career in accountancy, the HAT Group provides an excellent balance of professional development, practical experience, and personal support, helping trainees to grow into confident and capable accountants.
Are you interested in a career in Accounting? Take a look at HAT Group and their opportunities here.
