WHEN schoolgirl Ceri Jones did work experience at Salisbury and Company several years ago, Aled Roberts had only just passed his final chartered exams.
Now a company director, Aled interviewed and hired university graduate Ceri for the role of trainee chartered accountant, and the company’s successful recruitment wheel turned full circle.
Ceri, 22, from Betws-yn-Rhos and fellow new-starter Sophie Haywood, 20, have become the latest young people from the local area to be recruited by Salisbury on full training contracts.
With hard work, both women now have the opportunity to follow in Aled’s footsteps, gaining chartered status with the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales (ICAEW) and the potential to become the company’s future directors.
“I sent out several letters because I really wanted a training contract,” explained Ceri. “But I never expected to get something so close to home.
“I remember reading the letter to say I’d got the job and then running to find my dad so I could give him the good news. I was so excited!”
Sophie, who lives in Rhyl, has already worked in accounts departments for several companies and is currently studying for the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) exams.
She said: “This is what I’ve always wanted. I was offered three jobs but this was the only one for me. I said yes straightaway.
“I will train for the chartered accountancy exams and learn while I’m here, so close to home. It’s great for me.”
Both Ceri and Sophie can take plenty of inspiration from their colleagues.
Kelly Evans of Abergele is set to become one of the region’s youngest chartered accountants by the end of the year, following in the footsteps of Ruthin’s Jason Matischok, who passed his exams at the age of 24 in 2009.
Director Aled said: “We have a continuous training policy that enables us to maintain high quality staff.
“Giving opportunities to local people makes so much sense. We’re supporting the community while gaining people who have local knowledge and experience of issues that can affect businesses in this region.
“The rewards for hard work are great; Ceri and Sophie only have to look round them and see what their colleagues have achieved. We can inspire them in the same way that new faces inspire us.”
Salisbury and Company works alongside businesses seeking to grow and improve their operations, as well as those looking to be assured that their financial affairs are in good order.
