Trainees sign up with Swindon accountancy firm

Two new accountancy and audit trainees have joined the team at Swindon-based Optimum Professional Services.

Megan Attwood and Mckenzie Wallace are embarking on their new careers with the combined accountancy and law firm, which supports new recruits into the profession by offering apprenticeships.

Earlier this year, two other Optimum apprentices – Callum Morton and Zach Bunce – successfully completed their AAT qualification.

Megan has been working in retail since leaving Cirencester College. She said: “I wanted to go into more of a career-based role, and the opportunity at Optimum came up. It sounded really interesting and I like numbers and how they work. It was challenging at first, but everyone here is really great and I am enjoying it.”

Mckenzie has had part-time jobs alongside school and college since he was 14, including working in a chip shop, as a waiter and in retail. In fact, he still has one of his part-time roles, stewarding at Swindon Town FC home games.

He said: “I finished my A-levels in the summer and had originally planned to go to university, but I decided to look into apprenticeships instead. I had looked at an accountancy apprenticeship at the start of sixth form, and had always wanted to go into accountancy when I was at school, so I decided to apply.”

Tracey Alexander, Accounts Senior at Optimum, said the Megan and Mckenzie were a great addition to the business. “They are doing really well, settling in with the team and have a great positive attitude and we can’t ask any more of them at this stage.”