South West accountancy firm Albert Goodman has welcomed a record 17 new trainees to the business as its dedication to nurturing new accounting continues.
The chartered accountants, tax consultants and financial planning firm has been operating its trainee programme for a number of years, enabling school leavers, university graduates and those changing career to learn the skills needed to succeed in the profession. 
The record intake, pictured, comes following a year in which Albert Goodman grew its revenue by 17% to £21.4m, and relocated its Bristol base from a small hub in Westbury-on-Trym to a 3,000 sq ft office on King Street in the city centre.
It also secured a coveted B Corp accreditation in recognition of its pursuit of purpose as well as profit.
Among this year’s cohort of trainees is Joe Basquill, a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue a career in accountancy.
Currently studying for his audit qualifications, Joe said choosing the best firm to learn from was a vital step in taking the leap to a new career.
“As a 30-something career changer, choosing the right balance between culture and opportunity was crucial for me and my family,” he said.
“Albert Goodman’s size means we work with a great variety of businesses, which provides myself and other trainees with the chance to learn across different sectors, disciplines and really get to grips with the business side of our roles.
“Changing your career can be a daunting experience, but as an applicant at Albert Goodman I always felt I was making decisions with my eyes wide open. 
“The team were always helpful, honest and really made the whole process a straightforward and pleasant one.”
Another recent joiner is Emma Griffiths, a UWE Bristol university graduate who elected to begin her career at Albert Goodman based on its reputation for developing talent.
“Albert Goodman has a really strong reputation in the region, and its support for trainees at the start of their career really stood out to me,” she added.
The journey to ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) qualification is a notoriously tough one, and when that’s coupled with starting your first job from university, I know that the process can be challenging for many.
“Here though, the support network is amazing. Everyone has been super supportive, the training has been clear and engaging, and I’m really loving the whole experience. I can’t wait to keep developing with AG over the coming years!”
Albert Goodman HR director Sarah Bowden said it had been an exceptionally strong year for applications, with candidates displaying high levels of skill and potential throughout the recruitment process.
“With our roots firmly planted in the South West for over 150 years, we understand the importance of providing career opportunities to our communities, whether that’s those fresh from education or looking to change paths,” she added.
“We look forward to seeing this year’s cohort develop and to welcoming more trainees to our programme in 2025.”
The 158-year-old, Taunton-headquartered firm, which also has offices in Yeovil, Weymouth and Weston-super-Mare, works across a range of specialisms spanning audit & accounts and business support services to litigation support, payroll bureau and VAT services.
