Trainees:
Just two of our people who joined as trainees describe their history at Target below.
 
Ben Pattison, Audit Assistant
 
I didn’t have any firm plans to become an accountant – when I first contacted Target I was responding to an ad in a paper. At that point I was working in pubs having decided not to finish my course at University.
 
That was four years ago. I had a good interview and Target hired me for their training program. My first goal was to pursue AAT training, a qualification I achieved after two years. There was a very definite emphasis on providing me with the opportunities I needed. I was fast-tracked to ACA two years ago and have just completed my chartered accountant exam.
 
The team-based working methods at Target have been invaluable. I’ve been able to make a rapid and smooth progression from preparing smaller jobs through to my current focus on audit work. The support has been excellent. People made it clear that they had been through the same system as me and I was always able to discuss issues with someone who understood my needs while training. There is no question that Target has played a pivotal part in my developing an entirely new career.
 
 
Tessa Brennan, Assistant Manager (audit team)
 
My background before coming to Target was in Physics. I had already completed a PhD before deciding to pursue a career in accounting – something I had always had in mind. 
 
A local press ad asked for people interested in graduate training positions and I applied. That was four years ago. Target has proved to be an excellent training environment. It’s a friendly firm and its size has another major benefit: while Target is big enough to offer a full range of skills, it isn’t big enough to be swamped by hierarchies. I’ve found that even senior members of the firm are accessible and any support I’ve required has always been easy to reach. I’ve also enjoyed a breadth of project work that has significantly boosted my skills across different areas.
 
I achieved chartered accountant status over a year ago and am now focusing on audit. Having recently been promoted to Assistant Manager, I’m filling a senior role on large audits and I have acquired a useful overview of mainstream business issues.