The Poole office of international accountancy and business advisory firm, Mazars, has expanded its team with the recruitment of six trainees this autumn.
Joining Mazars as its youngest employee is 18 year old school-leaver Dan Johnston from Southbourne. A former Bournemouth School for Boys pupil, Dan joins as an audit trainee with A-levels in maths, business and music. He’s hoping his head for musical numbers ( he has grade 8 distinction in drums) will translate to accountancy. He says: “I’m keen to get a good solid grounding in accountancy and qualify at a young age so I can then explore different routes within the world of finance.”
Continuing the musical theme is Jonathan Calvert, 30, who has a music degree from Manchester University and studied at the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music. Jonathan has also worked as a professional French horn performer and helped run a French horn shop in London. He says: “Seeing the business aspects of a music shop and assisting with the tax returns and book-keeping triggered an interest in accountancy for me. I’m very excited about this new career path with Mazars.”
Ben Conibear, 23, from Devon also joins the audit department. Ben is a graduate in Earth Science from Oxford University where he also represented the university as an Oxford Blues level athlete and has competed in decathlons at national levels. The keen sportsman said: “ I was attracted to Mazars because they have a really personable approach to their staff even though they are a big, international company. I’m also excited to be joining Bournemouth Rugby Club so can keep up my sports interests while carving out a good career.”
Scarlett Harrison, 23, from Romsey and Martin Mc Gowan, 24 from Poole, join Mazars as graduates from Bournemouth University. Scarlett has a degree in Accounting and Business and has joined the audit team. “One of the lecturers on my course at Bournemouth University used to work for Mazars and he put me in touch with the firm. I’ve travelled a lot in between studying and the fact that Mazars has offices in over 73 countries around the world really appeals to me.”
Martin McGowan has a degree in Accountancy and Taxation and joins the Mazars tax department as a tax trainee. He says: “I did the tax module at university and really enjoyed it. There are so many elements to tax – personal, business, indirect tax – I like the fact it’s constantly changing and challenging.”
On a one-year placement before going back to complete his economics degree is 20-year old Dan Kellaway. A former Poole Grammar School student, Dan is delighted to be with Mazars. “I have some friends who work here and so I could pick their brains about the lifestyle of this firm. Everyone is so genuine and supportive and my aim is to get some of my accountancy exams done in this year. I also used to play football at county level so I want to squeeze some time in between work and study to play football with some of the other keen footballers here from Mazars.”