Work experience started the long road to qualification for Helen

Helen Taylor, a member of the Birmingham office of corporate recovery group Begbies Traynor, is celebrating exam success after recently qualifying as an accountant via ACCA.

Indeed it is an achievement for Helen who joined the sector from Sixth Form College as an office assistant.

John Kelly, regional managing partner at Begbies Traynor, said: “It has been a fantastic journey for her – I congratulate Helen. It is a great effort.

“She began in an admin role straight from college and showed an ability to take on new challenges and was not afraid to accept responsibility. Helen is very much part of the team.

“It shows what can be done when you put your mind to it and is a great example to youngsters starting out today. She had this determination to get on. It proves that if you work hard and show commitment and application, then your abilities will be spotted, offering you the chance to get on the career ladder.”

Miss Taylor was first taken on ten years ago when Mr Kelly was with a previous corporate recovery business. She stayed there six and a half years and rejoined Mr Kelly at Begbies Traynor three years ago.

Her push to become qualified began with a three year course to obtain certified accounts technician status via ACCA. This acted as a foundation to push on and work towards full ACCA membership which, with a gap in the middle and part-time study, she managed over the past five years.

She now intends to have a short break from her studies before working towards gaining the required insolvency qualifications.

“It has been a hard few years but very worthwhile,” said Miss Taylor. “I guess when I began as an office assistant after getting back from a year’s travelling they quickly saw that what I was doing was not really stretching me sufficiently and so offered me the chance to do case work.

“I was grateful of the opportunity to maximise my potential. What I like about the work is that no day is ever the same. You can be in the office one moment and the next out in a factory full of people.”