FOUR trainee accountants have passed their professional exams with flying colours without having to go to university.

Jasmine Brook, Tom Yallop, Bethany Whitmore and Sophie Robins, who work at Wellers accountancy firm, now have the top qualification from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

And Ms Brook, has registered a landmark for the company, becoming the youngest trainee in the firm’s history to qualify, at the age of just 21.

Ms Brook, who works at the firm’s Oxford office, said: “I wanted to study something that was practical but would enable me to develop a longstanding career. I looked at the subjects I had enjoyed at school and what I was good at.

“From there I felt that studying and working as an accountant could be the right move for me. I realised this meant I might not go to university like some of my friends. It was a difficult decision but one I am glad I made. I have no regrets.”

After her GCSEs, Ms Brook enrolled at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College to study the Association of Accounting Technician’s qualification. It was there she heard about Wellers, which allowed her to continue studying the course on a day release arrangement, working in the office four days a week.

She added: “In total it was five years and my advice is to stick to it and stay motivated.

“I just kept thinking of the end goal of qualification and the great benefits that it would bring to my career.”

Wellers partner Christina Nawrocki said: “This is an amazing achievement by Jasmine. She has worked so hard and will have a fantastic career with the firm alongside our other newly qualified staff.”

Wellers employs about 20 trainee accountants across its offices in Banbury, Thame and Oxford, as well as London, and bosses are looking for more school leavers and graduates to join the team. Email christina.nawrocki@wellers accountants.co.uk