Mitchells Accountants and Tax Advisors
Mitchells is one of Chesterfield’s longest standing firms and has been at the heart of its business community for 150 years as well as a long serving member of Chesterfield Champions.
Throughout this time, Mitchells have been proudly supporting businesses within Chesterfield and the surrounding areas. In that time their location hasn’t changed but the firm certainly has. In adapting to an ever-changing financial environment, Mitchells are now seen as an award-winning firm of technology-driven accountants at the forefront of innovation.
Mitchells, which employs more than 40 staff with over 600 years of combined industry experience, is expecting its innovative approach to 21st century accountancy will ensure it continues to prosper for the next 150 years.
Andrew McDaid, Partner at Mitchells said: “Businesses quite rightly expect more from their accountants and want to work with partners who can provide real value through proactive business and tax advice and we are able to deliver this through our knowledgeable and personable staff supported by our innovative use of technology.”
How Mitchells attract and develop their workforce
Like a lot of employers, Mitchells are being challenged by intensifying skills shortages and stronger competition. In this competitive and fast-changing market, it is more important than ever to stand out from the crowd to attract talent.
Andrew said “We know that our strength comes from our people, so we strive to ensure all our staff are happy at work. Whether it’s the friendly face you meet on reception, or the expert business advice and services we deliver daily, we know that Mitchells’ team is the reason that we continue to be recommended by our clients.”
Ongoing training, whether technical or soft-skill, is a priority in the professional development of all their team, which means they have cutting-edge skills, systems and applications at their fingertips, benefitting both them and their clients.
Careers and Opportunities at Mitchells
Some years ago, Mitchells put in place various strategies to ensure the development of a staff pipeline for the future and it has long been their ethos to support local talent and to promote from within.
Liz Fisher, Head of Tax & Employer Solutions Manager at Mitchells, who once refused to train as an accountant saying, “I don’t do numbers,” is now one of the top performing tax advisers in the country.
In 2015 she scooped top honours in a national Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) exam following her outstanding performance which saw her beat more than 1,000 candidates to gain the highest marks. She was awarded the prestigious Ronald Ison Medal and the CCH Prize for the highest distinction mark awarded in the UK.
What started as a two day a week admin job at Mitchells straight after A-Levels, led to Liz undertaking an apprenticeship as a tax assistant.
Liz’s original plans on leaving sixth form were to continue to university and undertake an English Literature degree. Breaking the news that she was turning down her university place in favour of beginning a workplace training scheme was not welcomed by everyone: “The head of sixth form at my school said that it was the worst decision I’d ever make, but she was wrong, I have no regrets about leaving education and taking up a workplace traineeship. It was definitely the right thing for me to do. I don’t regret it for a second,” said Liz.
Each year Mitchells take an individual from Sheffield Hallam University and offer them a work placement for one year. Typically, the candidates have completed two years of a three-year degree, normally in Accounting and Finance, Business or Mathematics.
Rest assured the successful candidate doesn’t spend their placement year photocopying and tea making. Instead, they get real, practical hands-on experience and are expected to make a useful contribution to a whole range of client projects.
Andrew explained “A placement with Mitchells is a great way to make sure accountancy and business advice is the career for you”.
Upon completion of their placement the undergraduate returns to university to finish their degree, with the option to return to be considered for a full-time position at Mitchells who then supports them by fully funding their Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAEW) exams to become Chartered Accountants (ACAs)
Joe Malone finished his second year studying BA Hons Accounting and Finance at Sheffield Hallam University in 2019 and has now joined Mitchells for his placement year.
Joe said “I wanted to join Mitchells having read about previous placement students and their experience. I am looking at this placement as a great opportunity to secure a graduate role. The amount of responsibility I have is something which I think is key for my professional development and has allowed me to build on all the theory I had previously learnt at university by putting it all into practice.”
When asked what he likes best about his job, Joe replied: “I can see the growth and progress that I’m making when I’m applying concepts that I learnt in my first two years at university to client work and knowing that while I’m learning and developing as an accountant, I’m simultaneously doing work in ‘real-world’ scenarios and helping clients.”
Joe went on to offer the following advice: “Make the most of every opportunity you have to get the most out of the experience. Have a never say no attitude when it comes to different tasks so that you hold no regrets. By taking on a wide variety of work you’ll be able to broaden your knowledge significantly.”
Celeste Thatcher, Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University commented “Mitchells provide an excellent placement scheme for Sheffield Hallam Students and most return to them on graduation. It’s great that Mitchells work with Sheffield Hallam University to offer students such great opportunities and experience. We are very keen to work with them and any other local employers that would like to do the same.”
At the same time that Joe joined the team, two graduates, Brandon Wazirali and Sophia Ferretto were appointed on a full-time basis.
Brandon, who carried out his placement year at Mitchells in 2018, has now graduated from his BA Hons Accounting and Finance degree at Sheffield Hallam University. Brandon said “During my years placement at Mitchells I was given a lot of responsibility and felt I was an important member of team and was often encouraged and given the opportunity to try a lot of new things. “
He continued “I kept in touch with all the friends I made at Mitchells and we have had a number of nights out whilst I was at University. Once I completed my degree, it was great to get back to Mitchells and start my studies to become a Chartered Accountant with their support. I chose to become an ACA as it is a highly regarded accounting qualification and it is my goal to pursue a career in auditing and accounting. I feel the ACA qualification offers the best foundation to pursue this career and I was also attracted to the challenging syllabus that is included within the ACA exams.”
“The thing I like most about my job is the support offered by my colleagues. Whether it is work or study related, someone at Mitchells is always on hand to offer help and without this support I wouldn’t have progressed as I have done.”
Brandon explained that an apprenticeship can be tough at times: “Studying and working can be challenging as it can sometimes be difficult to find the right balance between the two. However, my colleagues at Mitchells have been there to offer great support and guidance as a lot of them have been through the same development process.”
Sophia carried out her placement at another Chartered Accountancy firm, which provided her with practical experience in accounts, taxation and audit. She has also graduated from her BA Hons Accounting and Finance degree at Sheffield Hallam University.
She said “I believe it’s important to constantly develop and grow yourself, professionally and personally. For this reason, I am keen to become a member of ICAEW and gain the highly respected ACA qualification. The level of support Mitchells offer for this is very appealing and I look forward to realising my full potential”.
She continued “I chose Mitchells because they are an innovative and technology driven organisation, with a long and proud history in Chesterfield”.
Another Graduate, Dominic Day is using an apprenticeship to accelerate his route to becoming a qualified accountant. Originally Dominic graduated from his BA Hons Accounting and Finance degree at Leeds Beckett University.
He joined Mitchells in 2017 after previously working as a management accountant in Leeds. Dominic said the reason for the switch from industry to practice was due to the “greater opportunity available to enhance the basic accountancy skills learned at university and finish the path that was started in 2013 to become a qualified Chartered Accountant”.
Further to this, Dominic added “since becoming part of the team I have benefitted massively from the other students and recently qualified accountants in the office who have been able to give me tips and help wherever needed. The openness and friendly nature of all the staff makes it easy to speak up and ask for assistance whenever needed. Someone will always be there to help, regardless of how big or small the task at hand is”.
Mitchells also benefited from having Imogen Morris on the team for a three-month internship over the summer of 2019. Imogen has completed the first year of her BA Hons Accounting and Finance degree in Leeds.
Imogen said “I thought it would be a good idea to gain experience before applying for placements the following year. I live in Chesterfield so experience at this local successful firm was amazing”.
Mitchells recognise that university isn’t for everyone, that’s why they offer apprenticeships for individuals who wish to undertake the Association of Accounting Technicians/Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) qualifications, which are internationally recognised accounting and taxation qualifications based on real-world accounting knowledge.
Successful candidates become a full-time employee at Mitchells, with a salary and other associated benefits. They even pay for them to attend college on a day release basis to study for the AAT/ATT qualification.
Andrew said: “We want to help apprentices grow and develop in their career with us, that’s why once they have completed the AAT/ATT qualification they will have the opportunity to continue their studies further with Mitchells to become a Chartered Accountant or Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA).”
“We offer a comprehensive, fully supervised, structured training programme over a period of 36 months. This is supported and closely monitored by a leading firm of external tutors. Training consists of a combination of courses at the tutors’ offices, private study and regular tests, as well as on-the-job training. Paid study leave is granted and course and examination fees are paid for first attempts.”
At Mitchells, from the moment their training begins apprentices are assigned a mentor who monitors and supports their professional and personal development and monitor their ICAEW or CIOT exam success. Alongside this, they have the support of Mitchells’ partners and senior staff, all ready and willing to offer guidance and advice at every stage of their journey towards becoming an ACA or CTA.
Holly Fleming is using an apprenticeship to fast-track her route to becoming a qualified accountant.
After weighing up the pros and cons of apprenticeship versus higher education, she opted for the apprentice route.
“I wanted to get straight into it,” she said. “As an individual I am a practical learner. Working in practice helps me with my exams as I can relate to real life scenarios.”
“At the outset, Mitchells gave me the time and space to understand the market in which they work as well as the training and support to understand how everything worked, from the software that we used to how I communicated with clients. That really helped me.”As part of her apprenticeship, Holly is involved with preparing year end accounts, especially using cloud software such as Xero.
“I really like the fact that I work Monday to Friday. I enjoy office life. I get day release to study AAT qualifications at college. My working environment, job roles and work that I am doing really helps alongside my study.”
Holly believes apprenticeships should be more encouraged in schools and colleges. “Ask about them to find out more. I took it upon myself to find out about an apprenticeship and I am so pleased that I did.”
Olivia Powell joined Mitchells as an Accountancy Apprentice in 2019, working with Laura Pain, their Small Business Manager.
Olivia said “I am enthusiastic and always eager to learn new skills. I am keen to become an Accountant as I am very strong at maths but also, I have good organisation and communicational skills”.
Mat Nutt joined Mitchells in 2016 as an ATT apprentice, working alongside the team of CTAs, and, having successfully completed the ATT exams has recently progressed onto his CIOT qualification.
Mat said “I was a bit hesitant at doing an apprenticeship at first, as I always taught university was the only way to become a chartered adviser. I think a lot of people are unaware of the opportunities an apprenticeship gives you, and how many jobs it actually applies to.”
Mat continued: “You earn whilst you learn, on top of getting real life experience and avoiding university debts, it’s a win win”.
Liz Fisher said “It has been a huge advantage to us within Mitchells’ growing tax team to have Mat as an apprentice from day one of his career in tax. He quickly became an indispensable member of the department and we have been able to help him not only develop his technical knowledge but also his other skills in terms of working as part of a team, using our internal systems and improving his communication skills.”
