Accounts assistant Review
at Hicks and Company
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Harpenden
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
As an accounts assistant, my main roles are bookeeping, preparation of accounts and corporation tax returns. I communicate with clients on a daily basis providing a hands on service throughout. I also sometimes work in our payroll department, within audit and with the personal tax team.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoy my learning through BPP as it allows me to better understand the things I come across in my everyday work life. The ability to apply to knowledge learnt in lesson to real life examples make the learning a lot more enjoyable and relatable.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have really improved my cummincation skills with not only clients but with my team in the office. My employer's are very good at pushing young trainees to communicate directly with clients, as it is a valuable skill. I have also learnt good leadership skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
My programme is well organised as both ICAEW and BPP require employer's to maintain periodic reviews with their apprentices throughout the apprenticeship programme.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive as much support as I need from my employer. If the progress reviews reveal an area that I am a bit weak on such as presenting to an audience, my employer is very good at them putting me in a position to challenge myself and improve that skill.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I receive a lot of support from my training provider as they offer a thorough programme of taught courses as well as recap and revision courses for each exam as part of the qualification.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
As stated before, the ability to apply what we have studied in class to real life examples we have experienced as work helps cement that learning. You are aware of different factors, and can use those experiences to better understand and help our clients.
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
Our work environment is very social and most members are in the office everyday. We try and get together for various social events throughout the year, but more regularly during the summer.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Hicks and Company to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The environment at Hicks and Company is like a family, although we have multiple offices in the local area, we are very close. There is a clear pathway from trainee to partner which everyone can strive towards. We are exposed to many different scenarios at work which make us very well rounded accountants.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Hicks and Company?
Embrace all of the aspects of work but most importantly never be afraid to ask a question if you need clarity on something. Making mistakes is part of life, but you need to make sure you don't make the same mistake time after time.
