Q&A with Cameron, Award-Winning Trainee Accountant at Langtons

At Langtons, we’re proud to support the next generation of accountancy professionals as they begin building their careers.

We recently caught up with Cameron, who joined Langtons in April 2024, to find out more about his route into accountancy, what attracted him to the firm, and how he’s finding life as part of the team in Liverpool.

Since this conversation, Cameron has also been awarded The Tom Cunningham Annual Tax Prize at the Liverpool ICAEW annual general meeting on 15th June.

The prize recognises outstanding achievement in the ACA Principles of Taxation exam, celebrating students who demonstrate exceptional technical ability and dedication in this challenging area of the syllabus.

This is a fantastic accomplishment and a testament to Cameron’s hard work, commitment and talent as he continues his journey with Langtons towards becoming an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey into accountancy?

A: I studied Maths at Cambridge and graduated in 2023. I grew up in High Wycombe, before my family moved to Chester in 2021, and I now live there while working in Liverpool.

When I was thinking about my career options, I considered a few different routes, including computer science. Accountancy was always something I had some awareness of, as both my grandfather and mother have a background in the profession. Through them, I learned more about the nature of the role and the breadth of opportunities it can offer.

What appealed to me was that accountancy gives you a really strong foundation. The training is designed to cover all aspects of the profession, so by the end of it you’re qualified and able to move into different areas. That variety and flexibility really stood out to me.

Q: What appealed to you about joining Langtons?

A: One of the big advantages of being at a smaller firm is the exposure you get. You’re able to be much more hands-on and work closely with clients, rather than only seeing one small part of the process.

That was important to me because I wanted to build a broad understanding of accountancy and business. At Langtons, you get the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients and sectors, which gives you a much better sense of how different businesses operate.

Q: How have you found your time at Langtons so far?

A: I’ve really enjoyed it. The firm is very supportive and there’s a good level of trust.

The social committee organises events every month, which is a great way to get to know people outside of day-to-day work. It’s a really friendly place to work, and that makes a big difference when you’re still learning and building your confidence.

Q: What kind of work have you been involved in?

A: A lot of my time has been spent out with clients on audit work, which has been one of the most valuable parts of the experience so far.

I’ve worked with businesses across a range of sectors, including energy-saving services, recruitment, manufacturing, timber supplies, retail and hotels. Depending on the client, we might be on site for anything from one to four weeks.

The aim of audit work is to check that the financial statements being reported are accurate.  It’s a detailed process, but it’s also really interesting because you get to understand how businesses work from the inside.

Q: What have you learned from working with different clients?

A: I’ve learned a huge amount about the business environment. When I joined, I felt I didn’t have much awareness of how businesses operate day to day, so visiting different clients has been really valuable.

As auditors, we get to see how a wide range of businesses are run, how their processes work, and how financial decisions are made. That exposure has helped me develop both technically and commercially.

It’s also shown me how important accurate financial information is, not just for the business itself, but for shareholders, stakeholders and tax purposes too.

Q: What do you enjoy most about the role?

A: I really enjoy the technical side of the work. I like getting into the detail, understanding how figures have been put together, and working through the evidence.

I also enjoy being out with clients and seeing different businesses. No two clients are exactly the same, so you’re always learning something new.

Q: What do you enjoy about working in Liverpool?

A: Liverpool is a great place to work. It’s ideal for commuting, the waterfront is beautiful, and there’s a really vibrant social life.

Being based in the city adds to the experience. There’s always something going on, and it’s a great environment to be part of.

Q: What are you looking forward to in your future career?

A: I’m excited about the opportunities that accountancy is opening up for me.

The training gives you a strong grounding across the profession, and the experience I’m gaining at Langtons is helping me understand where my interests and strengths are. I’m looking forward to continuing to develop, taking on more responsibility, and seeing where my career can go.

Interested in starting your career with Langtons?

At Langtons Chartered Accountants, we’re proud to provide a supportive and welcoming environment where trainees can learn, develop and build rewarding careers.

Find out more about career opportunities at Langtons. Visit https://www.langtons.uk.com/careers/