In this blog post, we sit down with Tamas, a recent apprentice who has just completed his accountancy exams while working at Hamilton Robson. Tamas shares his journey, experiences, and insights into the apprenticeship process!

Q: Tell us a bit about the route into Hamilton Robson and how you found us.

Tamas: I knew I didn’t want to work in practice and that personally, I was more interested in working in industry. Hamilton Robson caught my attention because of the global role they offered, which promised a lot of exposure and support through various stages of my career. The training they provided even beyond my course completion, and in the long term was also a big draw for me.

Q: How was the interview and induction process?

Tamas: The interview process was very transparent. For my second interview I met with two very senior people in the company, the Head of Accounting and the MD. They gave me a clear picture of what was expected, which I appreciated. I was a little bit worried that the interview didn’t go well, so I was delighted when a week or so later they reached out and offered me the role. When can I start, I asked! The induction was well-paced. I wasn’t bombarded with information. Instead, I was eased into the role, met people in the office, and allowed to settle in smoothly. The office was bustling when I started, which was exciting. It varied from time to time as people were often on the road. This provides a nice balance of quiet focus and more sociable times.

Q: What has been the best thing about the role?

Tamas: The hands-on experience is incredible. I’ve been able to apply what I learned in my studies very quickly. It’s rewarding to have my ideas and thoughts listened to and taken seriously by people more senior than me in the team. The feedback loop here is fantastic, and it motivates me.

Q: How has Hamilton Robson supported you throughout your apprenticeship?

Tamas: They’ve been very supportive, especially around my study time. Philippa, the Head of Department and my manager, has been great in discussing my assignments and helping me identify areas for development. I also had study time around my exams which was never an issue.

Q: Can you speak about any important figures in the team or mentors?

Tamas: Philippa has been my day-to-day manager and has been incredibly helpful, from trusting me to take on tasks to providing honest feedback about my development areas, and practical tips to take into my classes. Our MD has also been a significant figure, putting in a lot of effort, time, and trust to support my growth. Overall, everyone in the team has been supportive in a different way!

Q: What have your highlights been throughout your apprenticeship?

Tamas: Starting my career in a busy and dynamic workplace has been invaluable. It’s given me real-world experience rather than starting somewhere quiet where there’s not a lot to do – it is all go here. The biggest opportunity has at times been the biggest challenge too, but Hamilton Robson has been very understanding employer – as an apprentice, you’re not expected to know everything from day 1 and they know that. A major highlight was the Christmas party, where I met colleagues from around the world, some of them for the first time. Personally, I’ve made friends in the office and it’s nice to just get a break over lunch with, and have a bit of fun in the office too.

Q: What advice would you give to anyone considering an apprenticeship in accountancy?

Tamas: I fully believe that doing an apprenticeship instead of going to university is faster and more beneficial. You get a salary, and invaluable experience that employers highly value, which I have heard firsthand. Accountancy and apprenticeships are challenging, so definitely prepare yourself to work hard and to feel squeezed at times, but it’s 100% worth it. Passing my exams and being rewarded with new tasks was a great feeling. A practical tip which really helped me was downloading and completing past papers for study; they really prepared me for the exams.

Q: What advice would you give to anyone considering Hamilton Robson as an employer?

Tamas: I highly recommend Hamilton Robson. They are committed to employee development and have a supportive culture. The company is scaling up, and a new office is on the horizon to accommodate that growth, so it’s a great time to grow your career with them in Omagh!