Partner Article

HURST's graduate trio are the 'cream of the crop'

Accountancy firm HURST has recruited three graduate trainees after receiving more than 350 applications for the posts.

HURST, which is based in Greater Manchester, was swamped with 361 applications for its 2013/14 graduate intake, compared with 150 in the previous 12 months.

The new starters are Laura Mackowiak, 22, from Leigh, who studied mathematics and management at Loughborough University, Ryan Niblock, 22, from Belfast, who studied accounting and finance at Liverpool John Moores University, and James Kean, 23, from Marple, who has a BSc in business management from Sheffield University.

This year saw the introduction of an online application process by HURST and a greater use of social media to publicise the positions available.

Candidates were put through a more rigorous selection procedure than in previous years, including assessment days comprising teamworking activities, group discussions, numeracy tests and one-to-one interviews.

Anthony Woodings, the HURST partner responsible for the firm’s graduate recruitment programme, said: “We have a long tradition of recruiting and training graduates and we are already under way with the process for next year’s intake.

“We introduced a tougher recruitment process this year but still received more than 100 applications for each available post, and the trio we have selected are truly the cream of the crop with great futures ahead of them.”

Meanwhile, HURST has recruited Emma Baker as an audit senior and has promoted Elizabeth Gallagher to associate partner in the firm’s specialist tax advisory team.

Emma previously worked at CLB Coopers and Moore Stephens before a spell in industry. Elizabeth joined HURST last year from accountancy and professional services firm ASE.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by HURST .