Trainee Cloud Accountant Review
at Walter Dawson & Son
Level 2 Apprenticeship
Accounting
Bradford
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
5 /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
5/5
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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
On a day to day basis, I am learning to create VAT returns and submit them for different clients before their personal deadline. I have lots of support with this to gain confidence. I have also started to have contact with clients now aswell.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I am really enjoying the programme so far, I have learnt a lot and there is a massive feeling of achievement when you learn something new and start to understand more and more.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have earnt lots of new skills. When I first started I was not familiar with using a computer at all really, and I had no accounting experience so, I have started completely fresh. Everyone in the office is always really willing to help me when I need help.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme is very structured, we use IRIS to display all the jobs which need doing and everyone has their own personal list of jobs which are assigned to them, this makes it very easy to visualise your day/ week and is really good for making sure nothing is missed and everything is submitted on time. We also have spreadsheets which we mark jobs completed on as we go along which is another great visualisation of what is done and what is left to be done.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive lots of support, I never feel like I can't ask a question as everyone in the office is always willing to help. I also have 1 to 1 meetings with my manager and these are every 6-8 weeks but can be more often if needed. In these meetings I set goals for myself to achieve and a target date to aim for. This is really good as I get to plan what I want to work towards.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I am currently having 1 to 1 Teams lessons as I joined in February and the college year runs from September, so I joined in the middle of a course. I am really grateful that Craven College were able to give me the option to do this so I could get started with the course as soon as possible rather than waiting until September to join the course.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I learn things with Craven College that makes me understand day to day things I do at work more understandable. For example the technical terms for things I do.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There are lots of activities at Walter Dawson & Son. We recently had an Easter Egg hunt around the office just before the bank holiday. We had a night at Flight Club playing darts as a well done for hard work. We have also had pizzas in the past for lunch altogether as a well done and a thank you for hard work. On National Employee Appreciation Day each of the 6 offices were sent a box of brownies. Also throughout the year there are multiple charity events where everyone in the firm can attend and take part which is great. We also have an annual awards evening which everyone in the firm is invited to.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Walter Dawson & Son to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Because everyone here is very friendly and welcoming, always willing to give support when needed, there are lots of benefits throughout the year. There are also opportunities to receive a bonus when the goals in 1 to 1 meeting have been reached at the 6 month and 12 month review. Walter Dawson & Son also supports charities and staff get a say in which charities we support each year. Also we are on the journey to becoming completely digital which is a massive help to the environment. We also, in the office I work at are really big on recycling and ensuring we do what we can for the environment
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Walter Dawson & Son?
I would advise someone to be themselves and not be nervous as everyone is really lovely and welcoming. I would also say not to worry about not knowing something as it is an apprenticeship and that is the whole point! You are supposed to be learning and not meant to know everything yet.
