Business

Work experience turns into full-time trainee accountant position with Ashmole

Published

5 months ago

December 20, 2023

TWO weeks of work experience has turned into a full-time Trainee Accountant’s position with largest accountancy firm in south Wales – Ashmole & Co.

Dafydd Saunders, from Capel Hendre, has recently started working full-time at Ashmole & Co’s Ammanford office as part of the firm’s Apprenticeship Scheme, following the successful completion of two weeks work experience in July.

Dafydd graduated from Swansea University in the summer with a First-Class Honours degree in Accounting. During his studies he decided not to seek employment so he could focus on getting good grades. Once he finished University, he was successful in his application to his local Ashmole & Co office in Ammanford for work experience.

As a Trainee Accountant Dafydd helps prepare VAT returns and assists with the preparation of accounts working with Quickbooks, Xero and Sage he also helps with queries from clients.

Laura Craddock, Partner in Ashmole & Co’s Ammanford office said, “Our Apprenticeship Scheme is giving Dafydd the practical skills and qualifications to eventually become a fully qualified accountant. He is being given the opportunity to experience a wide variety of client work and specialisms. I started with Ashmole & Co after I qualified from Cardiff University and I gained my ACCA qualifications through the firm and then worked hard to become a Partner. The Partners strongly believe it is important as a profession that we help to train the next generation of accountants.”

For the Trainee Accountant position Dafydd feels candidates need a variety of skills including clear communications when talking to clients and working with senior members of staff. Time management is essential as being efficient is very important. Numerical skills are vital to ensure accuracy and problem-solving skills to think outside the box.

Dafydd said, “I’m very grateful to Ashmole & Co for giving me this opportunity and giving me positive feedback on my work as it makes me feel appreciated. The most rewarding part of my job is being able to help clients, whether that be financially through accounting work or through answering their queries.”

During his spare time Dafydd is studying for his ACCA exams to become a fully qualified accountant. He enjoys going to the gym regularly and meeting up with friends. He is a Swansea City fan and goes to watch most of the football club’s home games.

With the majority of the Partners at Ashmole & Co having done their training with the firm they are keen to continue with the Apprenticeship Scheme again in 2024.

Those interested in training with Ashmole & Co can be school, college or university graduates. The firm will accept applications from those currently studying for their GCSEs, A Levels or Degree. Anyone who is looking for a new career path in accountancy would also be encouraged to apply.

Successful Apprenticeship candidates are offered a fully-funded training package in addition to Ashmole & Co’s basic salary. They are given a permanent contract and are expected to work full time. For full details and the trainee accountant job description please visit the vacancies section of the website: Job Vacancies (ashmole.co.uk)

Business

Port welcomes first vessel to new workboat pontoons

Published

24 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE PORT, which is owned and operated by the Port of Milford Haven, has welcomed the first customer to its new workboat pontoons. Installed as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to modernise the Port’s infrastructure, the pontoons are available for use by a range of vessels including workboats, barges and other small vessels.

CRC Sentinel, a dive support vessel owned by Commercial Rib Charter which is undertaking work on the Milford Haven Waterway, was the first to use the new pontoons.

Sharon Adams, Commercial Manager for Pembroke Port commented: “It’s great to see these new assets being utilised. Pembroke Port is perfectly positioned within the Port of Milford Haven to act as a hub for operations associated with marine activity taking place within the Port and the Celtic Sea. The pontoons are available for short and long term berthing and have secure access, as well as electricity and water hook ups.

The workboat pontoons compliment the other infrastructure upgrades we made as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project including new laydown space and an expanded slipway.

We look forward to working with our existing customers, and welcoming new ones, to use the new facilities at Pembroke Port.”

The new infrastructure at Pembroke Port forms part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to create a world-class energy and engineering centre of excellence and act as a focal point for capturing the economic value from wind, wave, and tidal renewable energy projects.

Alongside the Port’s own investment, Pembroke Dock Marine – a Swansea Bay City Deal project – is part funded by the UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government as well as other private sector partners.

During construction, the project supported over 50 jobs including 6 apprenticeships. Contractors BAM, Walters Group and R&M Williams undertook community activity during the project, with the local community benefiting from over £11m local spend.

For further details on the facilities at Pembroke Port, and how the Pembroke Dock Marine investments have readied Pembroke Port for future energy, please visit www.pembrokeport.com.

Business

Last Call for Entries: Carmarthenshire Business Awards

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BUSINESSES throughout Carmarthenshire are urged to submit their nominations for the prestigious Carmarthenshire Business Awards as the deadline of 17th May 2024 rapidly approaches.

Organised by Grapevine Event Management, these awards are set to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of local enterprises across a variety of sectors. With the nomination process ending in less than two weeks, businesses and individuals from across the county are invited to take advantage of the opportunity for recognition by entering one of the 15 award categories.

The winners will be unveiled during a glamorous black-tie event at Parc y Scarlets on 12th July, attended by the crème de la crème of Carmarthenshire’s business community.

Liz Brookes, the founder of the awards and director at Grapevine Event Management, expressed her enthusiasm about the high quality of entries received so far. “We are thrilled with the response and the calibre of organisations that have entered. This is the final call for entries; it’s time to ensure your business and its contributions are recognised,” she stated.

Rupert Moon, chair of the judges, highlighted the significance of the awards in promoting local businesses. “Carmarthenshire boasts a range of fantastic businesses. These awards are not just a celebration but a platform to highlight significant achievements in innovation, sustainability, growth, and export success among others,” Moon commented.

Support for the event is strong, with notable local companies such as Castell Howell Ltd leading as headline sponsors. “Supporting local business is essential for Carmarthenshire’s prosperity. These awards are a fantastic opportunity for businesses to gain the recognition they deserve,” said Martin Jones, Director of Castell Howell.

Additional sponsors include Swansea Building Society, Dunbia, Azets, JCP Solicitors, JG HR Solutions Ltd, Business News Wales, and Stills, all contributing to the event’s success.

For more information on how to enter the Carmarthenshire Business Awards, or to register before the 17th May deadline, please visit https://carmsbusinessawards.com/.

Business

Lidl will be first supermarket to sign up for milk from Pembrokeshire Creamery

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

LIDL has announced that it will soon become the first major UK supermarket to sell milk exclusively produced and bottled in Wales, thanks to a partnership with Pembrokeshire Creamery.

Starting from June 1, Lidl customers in Wales will be able to purchase Welsh own-label milk products, with plans to extend this to include cream shortly thereafter.

Previously, milk produced in Wales was transported to England for bottling before being sold in Welsh stores. However, with a significant £20m investment supported by the Welsh government, Pembrokeshire Creamery has now established the only bottling facility in the country certified to supply supermarkets. This development not only reduces transportation distances, thus cutting down on food miles, but also generates 80 new jobs in the local community.

The initiative is part of Lidl’s broader strategy to support Welsh agriculture and provide consumers with locally sourced products. Their range already includes Welsh bread, butter, yoghurt, eggs, lamb, and beef. Richard Bourns, Lidl GB’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasised the retailer’s dedication to local produce: “Our partnership with Pembrokeshire Creamery is testament to our commitment to offer Welsh shoppers the very best in homegrown food and drink.”

Mark McQuade, Managing Director of Pembrokeshire Creamery, highlighted the efficiency of the new operation. “The partnership will deliver products from farm to shelf in a more efficient way, removing the need for Welsh milk to be sent to England for bottling, before coming back to Wales,” he said.

This news coincides with Lidl’s announcement of a £500m investment in the British pork industry, aimed at supporting continued production amidst recent challenges such as rising costs, a Chinese import ban on EU pork, and butcher shortages, which have significantly impacted the sector.

Lidl’s initiatives are set to bolster not only the local Welsh economy but also the broader agricultural sector across the UK.