From University Placement Student to Audit Trainee at Carpenter Box: Jake’s Journey

At Carpenter Box, we’re dedicated to supporting the growth of young professionals, and Jake Solomon’s journey from placement student to Audit Trainee is a great example. Jake joined us in 2023 as a university placement student and quickly stood out with his enthusiasm and hard work. After completing his Accounting and Finance degree at Bournemouth University, he returned to begin his full-time career as an Audit Trainee.

Jake, what made you choose to return to Carpenter Box as an Audit Trainee after your placement during university?

I studied Accounting and Finance at Bournemouth University and knew I wanted to continue in this field. Carpenter Box’s trainee program looked impressive and I knew it would complement my degree and be ideal for me. I was impressed with the Partners vision and values of the firm during my placement year and thoroughly enjoyed working with colleagues and a variety of clients.

During my placement year, I had the opportunity to do secondments across various departments, which gave me invaluable hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the diverse specialisations within accountancy. The audit department had a good mix of visiting clients on site and collaborative office days. I liked this mix of work and helped me decide on specialising in becoming an auditor. 

As a company, I felt that Carpenter Box was very ambitious and progressive as a firm. I appreciated their focus on colleague development. I liked that the firm is expanding, meaning that there are numerous future opportunities to progress within the firm – which is exciting!

Can you share how Carpenter Box is supporting you in your studies while you work towards your professional qualifications?

Carpenter Box has been incredibly supportive, enabling me to study with Kaplan, a leading accountancy training provider, while offering a clear path towards ACCA qualification. 

The trainee program is a fully-funded study contract and structured in a way that I have designated revision days, which helps me feel fully prepared to excel in my exams. 

Also, the audit department has paired me with a knowledgeable and experienced mentor, providing me with guidance, when I need it, during this stage of my professional development.

What advice would you give to students considering a career in accounting or tax?

The accountancy profession is more than just numbers. It offers you the opportunity to work with a diverse range of businesses, gaining first hand insight into what drives their success. As an accountant, you play a key role in providing valuable tax planning advice while helping clients enhance their financial reporting and standards as their businesses grow. 

If you are a student coming from university, depending on your degree or academic background, you can gain exemptions for some of the accounting exams.

What are your future ambitions?

I plan on completing my ACCA exams within the next two years and become qualified. I then aim to progress within the company to broaden my knowledge within the Audit field and increase my exposure to more complex clients and files. Additionally, I also hope to share my future expertise with colleagues to support their growth and development within the profession.

Interested in an accounting career with Carpenter Box?

Join us for our upcoming Trainee Open Evening on 19th November 2024. You’ll have the chance to meet our team, different departments, learn about our career paths, and explore the exciting opportunities that await you in accounting and tax.
Learn more and register here.