Employee Training and Development

"Armstrong Watson is a fantastic firm to be part of. The recruitment process was professional and informative, and I also had a great induction day to meet fellow students and managers. The face-to-face interview itself is structured but gives you the chance to showcase who and what you are. I truly feel welcomed by everyone at my office and everyone wants you to succeed so are really supportive."

Trainee Tax Compliance Assistant, Carlisle

"The opportunity itself is a fantastic one that gives any new starter the prospect of a great career at a top-quality firm along with all the support and training needed as you progress. The way you’re treated by everyone in the firm from the day you apply makes you really want to succeed here. I know Armstrong Watson is a place I’m loving every minute working at and the colleagues I have met to date couldn’t be more pleasant and helpful."

Accounting Assistant (AAT Trainee)

"Moving to AW to complete my AAT training was the best decision I could have made. The amount of support from every member of the team is amazing. It is such a great place to work, there are so many opportunities and I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to help me progress my career and knowledge of Accounting. I highly recommend this opportunity."

Accounting Assistant (AAT Trainee)

"When I joined AW (from a big 4 firm), one of my biggest concerns was that the team wouldn’t compare to what I was used to - I shouldn’t have been! The greatest strength of the AW team is that the tax assistance I need is across the desk, not someone I have to look around the office for, and because we’re sat next to each other we talk about the issue at hand. That means not only am I upskilling my corporate finance knowledge, but I’m trusting the person not the brand. Furthermore, as we’re all in touching distance of each other we’re investing in our teams, spending time coaching them and helping them develop. What’s amazing about AW is that we understand who our current clients are and who we want as our clients. OK, I’m no longer working on FTSE 250 clients with complex derivatives, but helping a local engineer secure funding for growth and more resources is just one example of how a change of firm has helped me to make more of a difference than just a box ticking exercise."

Simon Turner, Audit & Assurance Partner

"Studying AAT has given me valuable skills and knowledge that I can apply in my day to day work, and I will now be going on to study the ACA qualification. Working within a professional environment with the acquired skills from AAT has given me the confidence to progress within the workplace and moving forward hope my career will develop with the knowledge and expertise my training has given me."

Trainee Chartered Accountant, Carlisle

"I joined Armstrong Watson two and a half years ago after completing an Accountancy and Finance degree. What initially attracted me to the firm was the ability to progress and gain experience in a wide range of departments across 14 offices and also feel part of a close team. I joined Armstrong Watson’s Chartered Programme in September 2015 and I am thoroughly enjoying every aspect of my job.

The firm ensure I gain as much experience as possible, tailoring my practical work experience to what I am studying at college, building my knowledge and understanding."

Audit & Assurance Senior

"I joined Armstrong Watson in 2009 excited by the prospect of gaining qualifications as an apprentice while working full time; my preferred approach over University. Over the past nine years I’ve been supported through the AAT and ATT qualifications and given the opportunity to work with some fantastic people in different departments and locations across the firm. I’ve recently progressed to an Accounting Supervisor role advising and supporting mainly agricultural clients in and around Carlisle. The varied workload continues to challenge me day by day; just one of the things which makes Armstrong Watson a great place to work."

Accounting Manager, Carlisle

"I applied for the Armstrong Watson chartered Scheme after hearing about the opportunities a friend had been given during her time on the programme. Armstrong Watson are always providing me with a broad range of experience across different offices and departments to help support my chartered studies. Not only has this helped me to put the ACA theory into practice, but it has allowed me to continually build on my professional development in the workplace. I joined the Cumbria Chartered Accountancy Student Society as both ICAEW Student Council (ISC) representative and chair and I thoroughly enjoyed the roles, and the firm fully supported my involvement allowing me time out to travel to London and Cambridge to attend quarterly ISC representative meetings for the student council."

Audit & Assurance Senior Manager

“I was really keen to take up the opportunity offered to me for a secondment in the Kendal office as Accounting Supervisor. I was nervous and not sure of what to expect but I knew the experience would broaden by knowledge, push me and improve my potential . I am always keen to put myself out of my comfort zone, learn new skills and try and better myself. I am only two months in and absolutely loving the Kendal office, the people are amazing, the office is amazing, and I love being a part of their team. Everyday is a challenge, but that’s what drives me, and it really proves that opportunities within the firm are there, you just have to have the right attitude and push yourself.”

Accounting Supervisor, Kendal

“Earlier this year I was offered the opportunity to move to our Glasgow office to manage the accounting department as the Accounting Manager. This was an opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone and further my progression within the firm. Over the last 9 months the role has presented me with plenty of new challenges, tasks and increased responsibilities which I’ve enjoyed being able to deal with whilst also helping my own team progress. Personally the time I’ve been in Glasgow has helped me develop my skillsets and broaden my network within the firm with colleagues and clients. Overall this secondment has been a brilliant experience for me, made easier by the great team in Glasgow and the wider support from around the firm.”

Dan Cozens, Accounting Manager