Shwmae!

My name is Madison Bevan, I’m 18 years old, and I recently started as an Accounting Apprentice at Audit Wales! I joined Audit Wales as a school leaver after completing my A-Levels in Mathematics, Physics, Product Design, Welsh, and WBQ.

I joined Audit Wales in August 2024 as part of the 2023-24 cohort, alongside five others. I work four days a week conducting audit tasks and spend one day at Neath College, where I’m studying for my Level 2 Accounting qualification, hopefully continuing to do my Level 3 and 4.

So far, I've completed two out of my four exams, and they’ve gone really well! Initially, I was worried about balancing studying with a full-time job, but I discovered that reviewing little and often (about 1-2 hours per week, broken into 30-minute daily sessions) made the process much more manageable. I usually go over my notes on my commute home, as I keep them on my iPad—this allows me to relax once I’m home while making good use of my time. Studying while working has really helped me improve my time management and productivity in both my work and personal life.

I've really enjoyed my time at Audit Wales—everyone here is so welcoming and always willing to help with anything you need. Whether it's asking questions or seeking support, there's always someone happy to assist. The work environment is fantastic, making office days much more enjoyable. We also have regular team-building sessions, which provide a great chance to connect with a wider community—my favourite so far has been the Audit Wales Sports Day which allowed me to collaborate with my colleagues and help us to work better together while having so much fun! I've built many valuable connections through Audit Wales, and my communication skills have improved significantly. By sending numerous emails and handling phone calls, I've learned how to conduct myself in a professional yet friendly and welcoming manner, and this has translated in my personal life!

I believe that pursuing an apprenticeship has allowed me to develop valuable skills that will stay with me for life and support my career progression in the accounting industry. This apprenticeship has also equipped me with essential skills such as problem-solving, attention to detail, and more. These are skills I continue to refine and strengthen through my audit work every day!

Overall, I believe starting my career as a school leaver at Audit Wales has been the best decision I’ve made. It has given me the opportunity to step onto the career ladder and start building valuable connections in the accounting profession. I genuinely enjoy coming to work each day and taking on new projects that help me continue developing my skills. I would highly recommend an apprenticeship at Audit Wales without a doubt, studying towards my qualifications while working with such incredibly supportive employers who promote a good work-life balance is an experience you’d only get at Audit Wales.

About the author

Madison Bevan enjoys running in a female only run club multiple times a week and travelling abroad. She finished her A Levels, Maths, Physics, Product Design, Welsh and WBQ before choosing a career at Audit Wales. Madison is looking forward to developing her skills in the audit team, and the excitement in store as an auditor.