Junior Accountant Review
at Walter Dawson & Son
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Bradford
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.6 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
In my role, my main task is accounts preparation, meaning I frequently interact with clients and colleagues to help provide the best experiences for clients and improve my accounting skills. I am responsible for my own portfolio of clients in which I need to manage strict deadlines and work efficiently and effectively to ensure I do not miss any deadlines.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I honestly enjoyed the vast majority of the programme. I loved learning different things and then using that knowledge in my day to day life, then passing that knowledge to clients or even junior members of staff. I personally find the most enjoyment for that aspect. I also just enjoy meeting new people at work, whether that be staff or clients, earning about their ambitions and helping that client reach their goals and set new ones.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt so many skills whilst on my apprenticeship. The main skill I have developed is my confidence, I was very shy and reserved when I started my apprenticeship whereas now I feel like I can partake in client meeting and advise clients on matters. Other skills I have enhance include computer skills, analytical skills, behavioural skills (such as determination, passion and perseverance) and lastly interpersonal skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
I would say that my programme is quite well structed. At every moment I knew what task or hurdle I had to overcome to get onto the next level and support from both work and college was available in order to assist me to get to my personal end goal.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Its quite difficult to put into terms how much support my employer has given me. I started my apprenticeship just as COVID-19 shut down the entire world. Unfortunately, my college was closed for almost a year, meaning that the burden of training me fell onto the shoulders of my employer almost entirely for a year. They in truth were amazing with me. If I ever had a question, they are happy to answer, even if it the same question for the millionth time. I can't praise my employer enough for what they did for me.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I received an awful lot of support by my training provider. If I was ever unsure about a question about course work, someone was available to help and walkthrough the problems with me. Alternatively, for the portfolio side if I ever had a question, or didn't understand the task at hand, my talent coach was on standby to ensure I understood what I was doing, how to do it and how it will benefit me in the future.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I believe that my progress through the qualification and my performance in my role has undoubtedly been reciprocal. I feel like every course and qualification under my belt the more confident and assured I was in my understanding of my job role. However, once I realised that the course all started to interconnect and related to each other that was when I believed that I really started to excel in my role.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Yes, so at my work we have quarterly social events open to the whole company such as a darts night or an evening at the races for example. There are also professional networking events that we are all invited to such as accountex.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Walter Dawson & Son to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I truly believe that my company is right in its ways in approaching junior members of staff and apprenticeships. They have allowed me to try every sort of job like wealth management, business tax, personal tax to make sure that I understand whichever route I would like to take. They have also given me real world hands on experience with enough support to ensure my knowledge.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Walter Dawson & Son?
Please don't give up and be resilient. There are times where the job is hard, or you don't understand a certain topic, but please be resilient, tell yourself you can do it and ask for help. Even if you have to ask the same question over and over again, please do so and keep dog it until you understand the topic of hand fully and completely.
