Laura Whyte completed an AAT accounting qualification through an apprenticeship at Cornwall College and now runs her own accounting practice
After completing an AAT accounting qualification through the apprenticeship route at Cornwall College, Laura worked for years in the accounting industry before deciding she was ready to start up her own business. She is now managing director at Whyfield.
“Completing my accounting qualification allowed me to gain a fantastic qualification while gaining on-the-job training,” said Laura. “I had the support of my employer, the college and the other people on my course, and I could often relate the work in the classroom to what I had been doing in my job. It also meant that once I was fully qualified I already had workplace experience, which gave me an advantage over other candidates when I applied for accounting positions.”
“After working in the accountancy environment for a number of years I felt that I wanted a new challenge, although I knew I wanted to continue working in this sector. I knew then that I wanted to start my own company and I was very lucky that my previous employments had given me the knowledge and experience I needed to enable me to do this.”
“I enjoy everything about my job; no two days are ever the same. There are always times which are more challenging and my working day rarely finishes at 5pm, but the job satisfaction makes it all worthwhile. I now employ three apprentices who are studying at Cornwall College as I know how much I enjoyed the course and studying at the college, so felt that it was a natural choice for my staff to study in the same place. I know the college, the course and the tutors so I can offer more support to the apprentices.”
