Northern Accountants adds new recruits to books

A Leeds-based accountancy firm is investing in the next generation with the launch of its first official apprenticeship programme.

Northern Accountants has welcomed two 18-year-olds, Chloe Gregg, from Halifax, and Lauren Lomax, from Leeds, as accounts apprentices. 

Their training will combine external AAT study with Kaplan, alongside the firm’s in-house academy, setting them on a three-year path to full qualification.

Sophie Hill, Northern Accountants’ head of production and people, said: “We recognise that accountants have a privileged position of trust among clients, and it can take years to develop such rapport and credibility. 

“That’s why we’ve chosen to invest in young people at the earliest stages of their career, so they can build their profile and relationships from the outset. 

“This is also the reason why our own training academy treads way beyond classroom theory. 

“We focus on the wider skills, knowledge and behaviour that will drive tangible business outcomes for our clients, offering our apprentices opportunities to learn and shadow in real world scenarios, while gathering feedback every step of the way.

“During the assessment centre phase of their selection, Chloe and Lauren both stood out for their personable, mature and reasoned approach to working with others. 

“We recruited on the basis of values and work ethic, and their passion and commitment really shone through. 

“I’m excited to watch them grow.”

Chloe and Lauren join a 45-strong team operating across the North of England and Scotland. 

Nine new employees have already joined this year, including a senior tax director, as the business continues to expand its talent pool.

The move builds on Northern Accountants’ ambition to break into the UK’s top 100 accountancy firms by 2030. 

Established 17 years ago, the firm now supports 700 clients nationwide. 

Anna Masheter, director of people at Northern Accountants, added: “At the start of summer, multiple articles homed in on news that the ‘big four’ were slashing early career roles for school leavers and university graduates, with the AI economy cited as an important catalyst for this. 

“It was perhaps not a surprising read. 

“But we believe there’s a place for both. 

“We’re also investing heavily in AI, with some exciting announcements set to be unveiled as we head into the final months of 2025, and beyond. 

“We know the powerful transformational capabilities that AI can have for our organisation, and clients’ too, but we also recognise that with the right support, ‘junior’ talent won’t be junior forever. 

“That’s why when others might be pulling back, we’re ploughing further investment into young people.”

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