Two new apprentices have been taken on at the Newbury office of UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets as business demand continues to grow.

The strategic appointment of Ellie Warwick and Kristina Pallaiova bolsters the team, and they are now both working closely with clients as they study for accountancy qualifications.

Investment in the next generation of talented business advisors is a key strategy for Azets, as it continues to deepen its specialist expertise and expand its high-quality advisory services to ambitious businesses and their owners across all UK regions.

Tax associate Ellie studied accounting and management at the University of Reading which allowed her to explore various different sectors within accountancy before she discovered a preference towards the tax sector. She said:

“I wanted to work at Azets due to its community feel and collaborative environments in smaller offices whilst still being a top 10 firm. I have really enjoyed my first weeks here, everyone has been so supportive, and I am very excited for my future here.”

ABAS associate Kristina completed a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business at Reading College, where she had the opportunity to learn about finance and discovered an interest in accountancy through her fascination with working with numbers and problem-solving. She said:

“I chose Azets to pursue my career in accountancy because of its position within the finance industry, and how the firm creates a community environment by providing accounting solutions to local businesses."

“I also felt the company values were well aligned to my own and saw a lot of opportunities for career progression. During my first few weeks here, everyone has been very welcoming and supportive which has helped me settle in easily.”

Neil Elsden, office managing partner for Azets in Newbury, said:

“We are very pleased to welcome Ellie and Kristina into the Azets Newbury office where they will be working with our clients in Tax and Business Advisory Services."

“Supporting our trainees through their accounting qualifications means we get to benefit from their enthusiasm whilst helping them develop into the business advisors of the future.”

Azets, the UK’s specialist business advisor to SMEs, offers a varied career path for early careers professionals, with the option to work across different parts of the country and to develop specialist skills in diverse areas of accounting and business advisory, from general practice and tax to corporate finance, trade, and restructuring.

The school leaver route at Azets UK is a six-year programme which includes two apprenticeship programmes leading to the student becoming qualified in their AAT and then moving onto their chartered accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CTA or ICAS).

The graduate route is a three- or four-year programme where students study toward their chartered accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CTA or ICAS).

An apprenticeship with Azets and its training partners provides a bespoke programme that combines qualifications, skills, and behaviours training. Everyone gets a talent coach, and each new student gets a buddy and substantial amount of on-the-job training, giving them the opportunity to pave a career path for life.

Azets is based in the centre of Newbury at Elizabeth House on London Road, conveniently placed just off the A4 and a 15 minute walk from Newbury train station. The office operates from a modern, open plan office with plenty of parking and provides a range of services tailored to businesses of all scales, encompassing sole traders to limited companies.

Photo: WARM WELCOME: Kristina Pallaiova, left, and Ellie Warwick have joined the Newbury office of UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets as apprentices. They are pictured with Newbury office managing partner Neil Elsden at the firm’s town base, Elizabeth House