Awards success for Simpkins Edwards

Simpkins Edwards staff are celebrating after winning the Large Employer of the Year Award at the Exeter College Apprentice & Employer Awards 2024.

The apprenticeship programme is a source of pride at the Exeter-based tax, accountancy and business services firm. They have a great culture of training and developing teams, with around ten percent of the workforce being apprentices.

The firm have worked with Exeter College for more than 20 years as an apprentice employer, and it's been a very successful two decades.

Some of the firm's fully-qualified Chartered Accountants started as apprentices with the firm. Every year, Simpkins Edwards hire at least two apprentices, who are either school or college leavers, to work in one of their five Devon offices. They often exceed this goal and have hired seven new apprentices since September 2022.

One of the team said: “My apprenticeship has equipped me not only with the correct skills, but also the correct professional attitude to pursue a successful career in accountancy.”

Simpkins Edwards’ Apprentices have not only excelled in their day job, but also achieved remarkable success in the last year. They supported five team members who participated in the World Skills UK competition, which aims to enhance technical skills and personal skills for the future generation.

The team reached the National Finals and won the gold medal! To celebrate their win, they recently enjoyed a day out of the office to visit London and attend a Winners reception at the Houses of Parliament.

With opportunities like this, as well as presenting at events such as Women in Accounting and the Alternative Accountancy Management Summit, inspiring the next generation at careers fairs, and joining business networking and charity events including the Michelmores 5K, Simpkins Edwards are proud to show their commitment to the Apprentice experience.

The investment made into each individual proves to be valuable as year after year, and they look forward to continuing the relationship with Exeter College and the apprenticeship scheme.

If you would like to find out more about the Simpkins Edwards Apprenticeship programme, you can contact their team; info@simpkinsedwards.co.uk or 01392 211233.