Seven years ago JF Hornby & Co, twice winners of the ‘UK Accountant of the Year Award’ set up an academy to give young people leaving school an alternative to expensive university degrees.
Now one of its first recruits to the Hornby Academy, Esther Klijin, has achieved chartered accountancy status with the ICAEW (as well as a gaining a degree along the way).
Esther said: “It has been a long journey with some setbacks on the way, but I have always had a lot of support from my colleagues which has helped me achieve my dream.
“Gaining chartered accountant status after seven years of work has not really sunk in yet – but the main thing I feel is relief that I don’t have to sit any more exams for a while!
“I am very grateful for the amazing support I’ve had from the team and the faith the business has put in me to pass these exams. I feel proud to be part of the Hornby team and happy to say that I am a successful apprentice on their scheme.”
Esther was one of four aspiring accountants to join the Hornby Academy straight out of college. A further five remain at various stages of their learning, hoping to follow in her footsteps.
Managing Director Paul Hornby says this commitment will continue: “The financial investment we make into the learning and development of all our Academy trainees is significant – but I consider it to be money incredibly well spent and invested.
“Through the Academy, we have been able to give keen, bright, intelligent young people the chance to learn, earn and thrive. Seeing them develop over the last seven years has been a pleasure.”
