Meet Our Apprentices

Based around the UK

Khumar Javed

Position | Audit Trainee

Training provider | ICAS

Watch Video

What made you decide to specialise in Audit?

As well as getting the opportunity to explore all aspects of Audit, Haines Watts has also signed me up for ICAS to become a fully qualified Chartered Accountant, which opens many doors.

How has Haines Watts supported your career progression so far?

What makes me excited about audit is working with a wide range of clients, guiding them throughout the process from A to Z. Also I love getting the opportunity to travel and experience different work cultures.

Hobie Ip

Position | Audit Trainee

Training provider | Kaplan | ACA

How has Haines Watts supported your career development so far?

They've supported me by funding my studies and providing me with exposure to the audit process which has allowed me to develop my skills quickly and gain valuable experience

What is the culture like?

It's supportive, collaborative, and people-focused. There’s a real emphasis on teamwork and learning.

What would you tell someone who was considering joining Haines Watts?

Haines Watts offers fantastic support for career development, from funding your studies to providing real-world experience It’s a great place for anyone looking to build a career in a supportive environment.

Quick fire questions:

If I wasn't doing this I'd be: Sleeping

Favourite person? Jurgen Klopp

What's your dream destination? Tokyo, Japan

What is your lazy go to dinner? Chinese Take-Away

What advice would you give someone considering a career in Finance?

My advice would be to stay curious and always be willing to learn. Finance is a broad and ever-evolving field, so keeping up to date with industry trends and gaining as much hands-on experience as possible will really help you progress. Don't be afraid to ask questions! Learning from experienced colleagues is invaluable.

Georgia Davenport

Position | Bookkeeping Assistant

Training provider | AAT Level 3 | Peak Accountancy Training

How has Haines Watts supported your career development so far?

Haines Watts has supported my career by allowing me to get stuck in from the beginning. Allowing me to have 1-to-1 training on a wide variety of clients to ensure I have knowledge on the different business sectors our practice supports. They have also helped to fund my learning and examination costs.

What is the culture like at Haines Watts?

The culture is extremely supportive with a focus on teamwork, and an emphasis on expanding our knowledge each day.

As well as striving to provide the best service and support for our clients.

Quick fire questions

Adventure or relaxation? Adventure! I love visiting and exploring new places.

Concerts or movies? It really depends for me, but I think I’d go with movies.

Tell us what's the one thing you can’t live without? A good cup of coffee!

Why Haines Watts?

I saw the company as a collaborative and warm environment when people could grow and constantly expand their knowledge.

After reading various wonderful anecdotes and reviews from employees and clients alike, I was even more confident in my choice.

Faye Sexton

Position | Audit Trainee

Training provider | ACCA

What led you to a career in accountancy?

I come from a long line of accountants and auditors. From a young age, I knew I wanted a career in finance because I have a passion for working with numbers and enjoy using my people skills. Combining these interests has always been my goal.

What advice would you give to people looking to join Haines Watts as an apprentice?

Take the opportunity. I am thoroughly enjoying my time here so far. Everyone is incredibly kind and helpful, creating a wonderful environment to be in.

Quick fire questions

What is your favourite time of year? Time of year is Christmas but Season is Summer

What is your lazy go to dinner? Mac and Cheese

What is your favourite type of holiday? Lay on a beach!

Which do you prefer Dogs or Cats? Dogs

Watch Video

Josh Steel

Position | Audit Trainee

Training provider | Kaplan | ACA

What made Haines Watts the place for you?

The opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients, while gaining hands-on experience and professional qualifications, made it the ideal choice for me.

What is the culture like?

It's friendly and inclusive culture where teamwork and personal development are highly valued. There’s a real sense of community.

What would you tell someone who was considering joining Haines Watts?

I'd say go for it! The firm offers a brilliant blend of professional growth and personal development. You’ll gain exposure to a variety of clients and industries early on, which will really help you build your skillset.

Quick fire questions

On holidays are you a Lay on a Beach or Do something Active holiday destination person? Have to do something active

Lazy go to dinner? Chinese Takeaway

Would you prefer to see a movie on the big screen or TV screen?
Big Screen

What attracted you to specialise in audit?

Audit provides an understanding of financial systems and accounting principles, as well as allowing me to develop key skills which will really help form a strong base for various financial careers.

Claire Porter

Position | Accounts Semi Senior

Training provider | ACA | Kaplan

What made Haines Watts the place for you?

I appreciate that, despite being part of a larger firm, we maintain a small, friendly atmosphere thanks to our various office locations.

What attracted you to specialise in accountancy?

I always enjoyed working on computers and maths at school and fell into the accountancy role. Since starting my accountancy journey I haven’t looked back.

What would you tell someone who was considering joining Haines Watts?

We are a very friendly, helpful team here at HW and they will help you achieve any goal you wish, so if you are considering joining the team you absolutely should!

Quick fire questions

Lazy go to dinner? Chicken pesto pasta

If you had a talk show who would your first guest be?

Adele because I would love to hear her sing live and I think we would have a good laugh together.

What advice would you give someone considering a career in finance?

Go for it! You won’t regret it

How has Haines Watts supported your career development so far?

I am currently on track to start my ACA, and the support I’ve received during the onboarding process has been fantastic. They’ve even initiated a study club, allowing us to share our thoughts and collaborate whilst studying together.

Shaun Bolton

Position | Accounts Semi Senior

Training provider | BPP | ACA

Watch video

What made you apply to be an accounts apprentice?

I tried a few other industries and had a few jobs but never found anything I really liked. I remember enjoying doing accountancy at A-levels and I have always been interested in the ins and outs of business. Being an accounts apprentice allows me to have this insight into businesses while also doing something I really enjoy.

Why did you choose an apprenticeship with Haines Watts?

Seemed the right environment to assist me in my development. Everyone was really friendly and they seemed to take a genuine interest in me as a person.

Quick fire questions

Win the lottery or win an election? Lottery!

If you could be a superhero what would be your superpower of choice? Ability to be lucky.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? Fully Qualified Accountant.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I love to watch and play all kinds of sports.

Laura-Ann Phillips

Position | Assistant Accountant

Training provider | EMA | AAT Level 4

What made you choose an apprenticeship after Uni?

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I left Uni, I initially started work in a pharmacy whilst deciding what career path to take.

My oldest sister was studying AAT at the time, and I had a look at her books and started AAT level 2 alongside my pharmacy job.

Why Haines Watts?

The study support, and also having a little bit of experience in industry, I wanted to see what practice was all about.

Quick fire questions

Rewind button or pause button in your life? Pause

If you could be a superhero what would be your superpower of choice? Teleportation – I’d visit all the different countries I want to see.

Lazy go to dinner? Anything with Pasta.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? Hopefully fully qualified – or at least close to!

After that I secured a job in Industry as a accounts assistant, but there was no study support and I wanted to carry on with my qualifications so I applied to join Haines Watts and since joining can say the study support has been fantastic!

Why would you recommend it to others?

It's a great way to earn an income and work whilst you study.

Joe Jones

Position | Accounts Manager

Training provider | Kaplan

What made you choose an apprenticeship after Uni?

It provided a structured way to earn a salary while continuing to learn, plus if offered room for advancement.

What advice would you give people looking to join Haines Watts as an apprentice?

Don’t get comfortable doing the easy work, be willing to take on the challenging stuff as you’ll advance much quicker.

Quick fire questions

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? In the Wirral

Horror movies, or comedies? Horror movies

What's your go-to comfort food? Flapjack

What is the culture like at Haines Watts?

Focuses on continuous development to provide exceptional service and a supportive work environment.

Christianne Thomas

Position | Audit Trainee

Training provider | ICAS

Watch Video

What advice would you give someone considering a career in Finance?

You don’t have to have a typical finance background. My background was in molecular genetics. You may have many transferrable skills that are beneficial for a career in finance, so don’t let that hold you back.

What advice would you give people looking to join Haines Watts as an apprentice?

Just do it! You won't regret it!

Nathan Penny

Position | Accounts Assistant

Training provider | Kaplan | ACCA

What does a typical day look like for you?

A general day can vary depending on what work I have in and whether there are any impending deadlines, I have a list of clients who I act for. In the majority I will work on accounts, VAT’s, bookkeeping and personal tax, normally swapping between the subjects depending on what information I have received from my clients.

What do you enjoy about working at Haines Watts and your role?

I enjoy the variety of subjects which I cover on a day to day basis as it prevents my days becoming monotonous.

Quick fire questions

Morning person or night person? Night 100%

If you could have a superpower, what would be your superpower of choice? Time travel.

Favourite holiday destination? South East Asia (so far)

How do you find studying and working at the same time?

I find it quite forgiving, it can be stressful around exam times (normally quarterly) but it is certainly manageable.

Amelia Lockie

Position | Accounts Semi senior

Training provider | Kaplan | ACCA

What made you apply to be an accounts apprentice?

I was always interested in learning more about accountancy and what it entails, an apprenticeship was the best route to explore that journey as you get first hand experience from what is learnt in the classroom.

Would you recommend it to others?

Absolutely, I have no regrets!

Why did you choose Haines Watts?

Employee anecdotes across social media platforms always expressed how good the company was to work for with lots of fun events and a huge profile of different clients.

Quick fire questions

What would be your lazy go to dinner? Love a good jacket potato for a midweek dinner!

If you could be a superhero what would be your superpower of choice? Invisibility

If you had a talk show who would your first guest be?
Brian Clough

Did you enjoy maths at school?

Yes – but I would say high level maths is not essential in accountancy, just a good basic understanding.

Any tips you can give others for studying whilst working?

Find a routine that works for you, and stick to it. Make sure you set yourself realistic targets, and don’t forget to still have fun outside of work and studying.

Mark Northcott

Position | Accounts and Tax Assistant

Training provider | Kaplan | AAT

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Every day is different, bringing new challenges and opportunities to learn. I’m constantly expanding my knowledge and developing new skills, which keeps the work engaging.

What advice would you give to people looking to join Haines Watts as an apprentice?

Embrace every learning opportunity and stay proactive. The firm provides excellent support and training, so make the most of the resources available and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Quick fire questions

Would you prefer to see a movie on the big screen or TV screen? Big Screen

What is your lazy go-to dinner? Spaghetti Bolognese

Holidays, are you a Lay on a Beach or Do something Active holiday destination person? Do something active

Watch Video

Kirsty Thomas

Position | Accounts Assistant

Training provider | NGT Training

What do you enjoy about working at Haines Watts and your role?

I really enjoy the office culture at Haines Watts. Managers, directors etc at all levels are great to get along with and very supportive of professional development.

I like that my role is quite diverse due to still being in training. I have been encouraged to try lots of different jobs to build experience and discover what areas I might prefer to go further into in the future.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I assist the accounts team with preparation of annual accounts, VAT returns, bookkeeping and reconciliations alongside continuing my studies further into accountancy.

Quick fire questions

Favourite ice cream flavour? Mint & Chocolate

Best concert you have ever been to? The Weeknd

If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be? Severus Snape – I need to know who’s side he was really on!

What made you apply to be an apprentice at Haines Watts?

I applied as an admin apprentice so that I could gain experience working in a professional environment.

I enjoyed my apprenticeship and subsequent role in the admin department here so much that I decided to stay on and progress into a career in accountancy.

Sam Muscutt

Position | Audit Trainee

Training provider | Kaplan | ACA

What advice would you give someone who was considering a career in finance?

If you enjoy understanding what drives a business and the key to how financial goals are met then finance is the job for you.

What is the culture like at HW?

Very much a team culture we all work together as a team, to meet the needs of the client.

What made Haines Watts the place for you?

A company that feels part of the community while having a national presence. I assist a diverse range of clients, from sole traders to SMEs, so I'm gaining experiences from the different type of risks each entity presents.

Quick fire questions

Rewind button or pause button? What's done is done, pause for reflection is always nice.

If you had a talk show who would your first guest be? Jamie Vardy

If you could invite a bank holiday, what would it be? National Globalisation day, when the world became one and travel and work across continents became possible, when global issues can be resolved as one world.

What attracted you to specialise in audit?

Audit provides exposure to all areas within financial reporting, which the testing dives into the key areas of the reports to ensure transparency and accuracy, which is the epitome of accountancy.

Alicia Beesley

Position | Accounts Junior

Training provider | Kaplan

What made you apply to be an accounts apprentice?

In college, my strongest, and most favoured subject was accountancy. With this, I always knew an apprenticeship was much more fitting for me over a university degree, as I highly value tailored, and hands on experience within the workplace.

Naturally, the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals at Haines Watts while studying for my professional qualifications the opportunity was hard to pass up on. This has allowed me to pursue a career in a subject I love with great enthusiasm.

What are you enjoying most about your role?

My favourite part of the role is asking my managers questions regarding any query’s I have.

As simple as it sounds, I always come away having learnt a tremendous amount in a judge free environment, and my understanding is much broader.

Quick fire questions

Where do you stand on ‘Pineapple on a Pizza’ is it a yes or no for you? Yes

If you could switch lives with anyone for the day, who would it be? My two basset hounds, as they live a better life than anyone else I know!

If you could time travel, where would you go - future or past? Past to meet my parents when they were my age.

What would you tell someone who was considering joining Haines Watts?

Haines Watts is a prestigious firm that truly values its people. You feel your work makes a real impact, rather than just being a number. They offer excellent career advancement opportunities, funding exams, providing support, and offering valuable real-world experience. It’s the place to apply if you’re looking for a long-term career, in a friendly environment.