A day in the life of a Business Services trainee at Carpenter Box

Business Services trainee, Abi Homer, gives us an insight into a working day at Carpenter Box.

Abi has been a trainee with Carpenter Box since 2023 and works in both the Worthing office and Chichester office as part of our Business Services Group. She has been training for her ACCA qualification and has recently sat two papers in March 2026.

Morning

I wake up at 6am to get ready for work. I work between two of the firm’s offices and also take advantage of the firm’s work from home policy. When going to the Worthing office, I park on the seafront and walk along the beach into town with my dad, who also works in the town centre.

We go to a local coffee shop for a drink before I then walk to the office, which I usually aim to get to by 8am. I always utilise Carpenter Box’s flexible working policy, as I prefer to start my day earlier and finish earlier, so I have more free time in the evenings.

Once I have arrived at work, I catch up with my colleagues and spend some time looking through my emails, prioritising the tasks that need to be done for the day. I then create a to‑do list that includes larger tasks, such as preparing or reviewing statutory accounts, VAT returns and tax returns, and smaller tasks like HMRC filings or tax planning for clients. The business services department within Carpenter Box gives me exposure to a wide range of work from a diverse portfolio of clients, which means I am constantly learning and experiencing new things.

Lunch

I usually take my lunch break at 1pm. As the Worthing office is in the town centre, there are many restaurants and cafes I can grab food from, or alternatively I can bring lunch from home and eat in the office. Sometimes my team has social events during our lunch breaks, such as visiting a pub garden for a drink or a restaurant for food. I always make sure to get some steps in during my break, since I am sat at a desk for most of the day.

Returning to Work

After my lunch break, I return to my to-do list and complete any outstanding tasks for the day. Towards the end of the day, I check in with my managers and update them on my progress, requesting any extra work if necessary. At 4:30, I leave the office and walk back along the seafront to my car.

Study

I use the study days granted by the firm, my evenings and my weekends to prepare for exams, ensuring I also allow time for my hobbies and seeing friends and family.

Outside of work

I enjoy reading sci-fi and fantasy books, playing Xbox with my partner, doing pilates, and going for walks in the outdoors.

Want to know more about our trainee positions?

To find out more about a trainee position at Carpenter Box explore our website, or alternatively, contact me or a member of my team on 01903 234094.