Apprenticeships at Multifix – the story from those involved

Cameron Duke, our Accounts Apprentice, is currently undertaking an AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Level 2 in Accounting and has opened up about his experiences with the scheme.  

How did the apprentice opportunity open up for you at Multifix? 

I was at school looking for apprentice opportunities to progress in accounting and after looking at multiple websites, I noticed there was a listing for an apprentice scheme in the course I was looking to take. After that, things went from there! 

What made you go for an apprenticeship instead of going to college or university? 

I spoke to family members that are in an accounting role, so my uncle is a taxation specialist, while my nan and my aunt both work in accounting or finance related roles. They advised the course to take and to go through work experience as it’s more valuable than going to university. 

With the courses I will partake in, I’ll come out with the same qualification that I’d have received going to university by the time I’m 21, which will hopefully be a chartership in accounting through the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), or the CTA (Chartered Tax Adviser). 

I’ll also have no debt and I’d have six years’ worth of work experience with the same relevant qualifications.  

How do you find juggling your coursework and your actual work? 

It’s fine, it can be tricky at times with what’s needed from the course as it requires a lot of time and effort, but luckily I have day release once a week, which lets me focus solely on that coursework.  

Multifix don’t have to do this, but they do so to try and better the course for me.  

You mentioned the day release, but how else do Multifix support you on your scheme? 

They fund the course and they provide the work alongside it, too. For the ACCA and CTA, which are the chartership courses I’ll look to partake in, you need three years of work experience in an accounting or finance-related role, so that helps a lot towards that.  

How have you found the exams? 

They’re manageable, but the pass rates do differ. I’ve passed all the exams I’ve sat and the most recent one, which was a costing exam, I achieved 95%. Overall, I’m working towards a distinction, so all is going well.  

What are your personal aspirations from the apprentice scheme?

The experience and knowledge can then lead to me working in practice and hopefully, I’ll eventually own my own practice. I’d love to have my own firm specialising in both taxation and audits and insurance. 

What advice would you give to anyone looking for an apprenticeship? 

From my own personal experience, I’ve generally found it easy to balance studying with my work. I think it has been the right choice for me, but I think people should do what’s best for them and go for it if it’s of interest to them.