Trainee Accountant Review
at Walter Dawson & Son
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Bradford
Review Submitted: March 2026
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
In my role as a Trainee Accountant, I support the preparation of accounts and assist with a variety of client work across the practice. On a day-to-day basis this involves preparing working papers, reconciling accounts, assisting with the preparation of statutory accounts, and supporting VAT return preparation. I also carry out bank reconciliations, review transaction data, and ensure that records from bookkeeping software such as Sage and Xero are accurate and complete.
I regularly communicate with colleagues to resolve queries and ensure client work is progressing efficiently, as well as liaising with clients when additional information or documentation is required. Alongside this, I maintain organised working papers and ensure work is completed in line with firm procedures and deadlines.
I regularly communicate with colleagues to resolve queries and ensure client work is progressing efficiently, as well as liaising with clients when additional information or documentation is required. Alongside this, I maintain organised working papers and ensure work is completed in line with firm procedures and deadlines.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoy the programme to a great extent. It provides a good balance between practical experience in the workplace and developing my technical knowledge through my studies. Being able to apply what I learn in my studies to real client work helps reinforce my understanding and makes the learning process more engaging.
The programme has also allowed me to build confidence in my role and develop new skills, both technically and professionally. I particularly value the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while progressing towards my accounting qualification, as it helps me understand how the concepts I learn in my studies are used in practice.
Overall, I find the programme rewarding as it supports both my professional development and my long-term career progression in accountancy.
The programme has also allowed me to build confidence in my role and develop new skills, both technically and professionally. I particularly value the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while progressing towards my accounting qualification, as it helps me understand how the concepts I learn in my studies are used in practice.
Overall, I find the programme rewarding as it supports both my professional development and my long-term career progression in accountancy.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes, I have developed a number of both new and existing skills during the programme. Through my day-to-day work I have improved my technical accounting knowledge, particularly when preparing working papers, performing reconciliations, and assisting with the preparation of accounts and VAT returns.
I have also strengthened my attention to detail and analytical skills when reviewing financial information and identifying discrepancies that need to be resolved. In addition, my confidence in using accounting software such as Sage and Xero has improved as I have gained more experience working with different client records.
Alongside technical skills, I have also developed my communication and organisational skills by managing workloads, meeting deadlines, and liaising with colleagues when resolving queries. Overall, it has helped me build both my practical accounting abilities and my professional skills in the workplace.
I have also strengthened my attention to detail and analytical skills when reviewing financial information and identifying discrepancies that need to be resolved. In addition, my confidence in using accounting software such as Sage and Xero has improved as I have gained more experience working with different client records.
Alongside technical skills, I have also developed my communication and organisational skills by managing workloads, meeting deadlines, and liaising with colleagues when resolving queries. Overall, it has helped me build both my practical accounting abilities and my professional skills in the workplace.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme is generally well organised and structured, providing a clear pathway to develop both practical experience and technical knowledge alongside my studies. The combination of workplace responsibilities and structured learning through my qualification allows me to gradually build my skills and understanding of accounting in a practical environment.
There is a good balance between learning on the job and developing knowledge through my studies, which helps reinforce what I am learning. Having support from colleagues and access to learning resources also helps ensure that I am able to continue developing throughout the programme.
Overall, the programme provides a structured framework that supports both my professional development and progress towards completing my accounting qualification.
There is a good balance between learning on the job and developing knowledge through my studies, which helps reinforce what I am learning. Having support from colleagues and access to learning resources also helps ensure that I am able to continue developing throughout the programme.
Overall, the programme provides a structured framework that supports both my professional development and progress towards completing my accounting qualification.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive a good level of support from my employer. Colleagues and managers are generally approachable and willing to provide guidance when needed, particularly when I have questions about technical aspects of work or when dealing with unfamiliar tasks.
There is also support in balancing work responsibilities alongside my studies, which helps me stay on track with my qualification while continuing to develop my practical experience. Being able to ask questions and receive feedback on my work has helped me improve my understanding and build confidence in my role.
Overall, the support from my employer has been helpful in allowing me to develop my skills and progress.
There is also support in balancing work responsibilities alongside my studies, which helps me stay on track with my qualification while continuing to develop my practical experience. Being able to ask questions and receive feedback on my work has helped me improve my understanding and build confidence in my role.
Overall, the support from my employer has been helpful in allowing me to develop my skills and progress.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I receive a good level of support from my training provider while working towards my qualifications. Tutors are generally approachable and provide guidance during lessons, helping to explain key concepts and answer any questions that arise. The learning materials and resources provided also support my understanding of the topics being covered.
There is also support available outside of lessons if clarification is needed, which helps ensure that I can continue progressing with my studies. This support has been helpful in reinforcing my understanding and preparing for assessments.
There is also support available outside of lessons if clarification is needed, which helps ensure that I can continue progressing with my studies. This support has been helpful in reinforcing my understanding and preparing for assessments.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I feel that my qualification helps me perform better in my role to a good extent. The knowledge I gain through my studies supports the practical work I carry out in the workplace, particularly when understanding accounting principles, financial reporting, and analysing financial information.
Being able to apply what I learn in my qualification to real client work helps reinforce my understanding and improves my confidence when completing tasks. It also allows me to approach work with a better understanding of why certain processes and procedures are followed.
Being able to apply what I learn in my qualification to real client work helps reinforce my understanding and improves my confidence when completing tasks. It also allows me to approach work with a better understanding of why certain processes and procedures are followed.
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
Yes, there are opportunities to get involved in extra-curricular activities at work. The firm organises occasional social events which provide a good opportunity to spend time with colleagues outside of day-to-day work and build stronger relationships across teams and offices.
These events help create a positive working environment and allow staff to connect in a more informal setting, which can strengthen teamwork and communication within the workplace. They also provide a good balance alongside the professional responsibilities and development that come with the programme.
These events help create a positive working environment and allow staff to connect in a more informal setting, which can strengthen teamwork and communication within the workplace. They also provide a good balance alongside the professional responsibilities and development that come with the programme.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Walter Dawson & Son to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Yes, I would recommend Walter Dawson & Son to a friend. The firm provides a supportive environment where trainees have the opportunity to develop both their practical experience and technical knowledge while working towards their professional qualifications.
There is a good level of support from colleagues and managers, which makes it easier to ask questions and continue learning as you gain more experience. The variety of work also helps develop a broad understanding of different areas within accountancy.
The combination of practical experience, professional development, and a supportive working environment makes it a good place to begin and develop a career in accountancy.
There is a good level of support from colleagues and managers, which makes it easier to ask questions and continue learning as you gain more experience. The variety of work also helps develop a broad understanding of different areas within accountancy.
The combination of practical experience, professional development, and a supportive working environment makes it a good place to begin and develop a career in accountancy.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Walter Dawson & Son?
My advice would be to come into the role with a willingness to learn and a positive attitude. Working in accountancy involves developing both technical knowledge and practical skills, so being open to asking questions and learning from colleagues is really important.
It is also helpful to stay organised and manage your time well, particularly when balancing work responsibilities alongside studying for your qualification. Taking initiative and being proactive when completing tasks can also help you gain more experience and develop your confidence in the role.
It is also helpful to stay organised and manage your time well, particularly when balancing work responsibilities alongside studying for your qualification. Taking initiative and being proactive when completing tasks can also help you gain more experience and develop your confidence in the role.
