Whanganui accounting firm launches apprentice programme

Doyle and Associates owner Matthew Doyle with partner Sharon Grant and their new apprentice Naaman Wanduss (front). Photo/ Stuart Munro

A Whanganui accounting firm has found a way to keep young talent in town.

Doyle and Associates, a firm employing 13 staff in Whanganui and four in Turangi, has launched an apprentice programme that aims to give aspiring accountants the opportunity to combine study with practical employment.

The company's principal, Matthew Doyle, said it could be hard attracting young graduates to the River City.

"Whanganui isn't seen as the sexiest place to come back to by young people, unless they have a link here. If we can get them before they leave, we might have a chance at keeping young talents here."

Naaman Winduss, 26, had just finished a one-year diploma in business and accounting at Whanganui UCOL when he approached the firm for work experience.

"When I left school I started working a trade, but decided it wasn't for me," he said.

"I did some administration work for a few years which gave me some exposure to accounting and I really enjoyed it. I knew then I wanted to pursue accounting as a career."

Mr Doyle said the company had an apprentice programme prepared but hadn't progressed with it at that stage.

"Naaman approached us and we determined that he was a great candidate for the programme. By the time he becomes a registered chartered accountant he will have a whole range of practical experience behind him."

Mr Winduss, now six weeks into his apprenticeship, will complete 12 months of administrative work at Doyle and Associates before beginning a bachelor of accounting with Massey University. He will study extramurally while being employed as a full-time junior accountant.

After graduating his three year bachelor degree, he will begin his chartered accounting registration - again alongside fulltime employment.

Mr Doyle described it as training the old-fashioned way, where trainees were learning on the job.

"Naaman will have access to the knowledge base, resources and mentoring provided by the practice to ensure the best learning outcome.

"He is the first cadet of our apprentice programme and we are looking to take on one person every two years."

Mr Doyle's advocacy for apprenticeships stems from his own training experience.

"I had just finished my last year of school and the receptionist at my old man's accounting firm, Doyle and Gilberd, was on maternity leave so I did a summer of admin work there ... doing jobs like mail, morning teas, all the front-of-house work.

"The advantage was that I was able to learn how a business runs. When I ask Naaman to do a job like the mail it makes me laugh because I remember being exactly where he is."

Mr Doyle said it would be a six-year journey for his new recruit but, with the practical experience and without a massive student loan, it was a way to fast-track an accounting career.

"It's really a win-win set up."