Our training policy has been agreed in the interests that all staff are given every assistance to optimise their performance and development in pursuit of key results and to meet the goals and targets set by the firm in line with its overall vision.
With our IIP accreditation we aim to continually assess and improve opportunities for the development of all our staff.
The training requirements of the individual are linked to the overall training plan for the firm to ensure that key skills are available within the business.
For fee earning staff training, we use the recognised training providers BPP and Kaplan, based in Southampton, to co-ordinate our professional training needs.
Both BPP and Kaplan are national training providers which provide high quality training to a large number of professional firms.
In partnership with BPP/Kaplan we provide opportunities to study for the following qualifications:
AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians)
ACA (Association of Chartered Accountants)
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
ATT (Association of Tax Technicians)
CTA (Chartered Tax Advisor)
If you require further information on these organisations and others please use our links below.
Non fee earning staff training is linked to the needs of the individual and firm through local accredited training providers.
Training Process
We aim to ensure a clear structure to the whole training process.
Progress with professional qualifications and other training courses is regularly discussed and assessed through our appraisal procedure, regular feedback from our training providers and regular meeting with our Training Partner.
Career paths and study options are not inflexible and we look for students to take responsibility to enhance their own development at Princecroft Willis. Opportunities are available to experience different work areas within the practice, opportunities which are not available at some of the larger firms.
Trainee Profiles
(A) “Princecroft Willis have provided me with full support, to enable me to start and continue my studies. This support has not just been the valuable financial support, but also technical support with my studies. The firm provides in-house training to meet current practice requirements and to consolidate the points raised in my studies. I also choose the relevant external courses, which are provided by Solent Training and Mercia group, to enable me to keep up to date on the subject and fulfil any other learning requirements. The training and feedback I receive enables me to perform my job more efficiently and motivates me to continue and succeed throughout my studies”.
(B) "I joined the Princecroft Willis Graduate Development Programme shortly after completing BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance at Bournemouth University. My confidence has grown tremendously over my first year here, and I am very happy in my job. This is undoubtedly as a result of the support I receive from my fellow colleagues and the variety of clients I have the opportunity to work on.
I started within the Audit Team at our Poole office working on sole traders and Limited company accounts. Once I got to grips with accounts preparation I went on secondment another team, where I worked on sole traders from a variety of industries and assisted in the preparation of management accounts. I also assisted senior members of staff on audits for several of our larger clients. I found it particularly interesting visiting clients’ premises and gaining an insight in to the types of audit tests that are carried out on site.
At this present time I am part way through my stint in our Tax department which I am thoroughly enjoying! So far it has given me the opportunity to see how the Accounts, and Tax teams interact with one another, as well as increasing my understanding of how the final accounts are used to calculate personal tax. I also hope to gain valuable Corporation Tax experience in the near future.
Since joining Princecroft Willis I have started studying for the ACCA qualification. I was exempt from 8 of the 14 exams upon completion of my degree and I am already working towards the final stage exams. I will be taking ‘Advanced Taxation’ in December, which is perfect timing as I can apply the topics I’m learning in the classroom to real life tax cases in the office.
Princecroft Willis is a Platinum Accredited ACCA Training Practice, and the firm has supported me more than I could have imagined. All of my training is paid for including course fees, study texts, ACCA student membership and exam fees. I also have paid study leave so I can attend the relevant courses during the week, rather than at weekends, which I am aware not all independent firms are able to offer.
Throughout my first year at Princecroft Willis I have had regular appraisal meetings with my manager. This gives me the opportunity to receive feedback on my work and allows me to set achievable goals to work towards. Whether it be attending Mercia courses Audit and Tax Update courses, improving my time management and communication skills, or passing my ACCA exams, it is all contributing towards my ongoing training and development as a trainee accountant within the firm.
The Princecroft Willis Graduate Development Programme has enabled me to gain experience in different aspects of the firm and has I feel it has given me a real insight into how the firm works together to provide a professional service for our clients".
Course FeesPrincecroft Willis will be prepared to fund the first attempts for approved courses although retakes must be funded by the individual. Course materials such as textbooks required as part of the course will also be funded on the first attempt only.
Study LeavePrincecroft Willis will provide the individual with paid study leave to attend all the days of any approved course leading to first attempts at the relevant exams. This includes pre-examination study leave and time for taking the actual exams.
Professional Development CoursesOur staff regularly attend professional development courses on topical subjects relevant to their roles. Personal skills can also be covered, e.g. communication skills and time management as well as IT skills. Management development courses are available for more senior staff. The courses are tailored to suit our requirements and are usually held locally.
Our non fee earning staff also have the opportunity to attend courses relevant to their job. Subjects covered include IT skills, customer care and personal skills. We employ team members in a number of supportive roles within the firm. We have secretarial, administrative, payroll, company secretarial, IT, marketing and HR team members.
Any requests from individuals to attend specific training courses are always carefully considered.
Useful links:Association of Accounting Technicians Association of Chartered Certified AccountantsInstitute of Certified Accounts of England and WalesAssociation of Tax Technicians Chartered Institute of TaxFinancial Services AuthorityHM Revenue & CustomsBPP
Kaplan
