As a young and dynamic business, we see individual and collective learning and development as an integral part of success.

When beginning a career in the financial sector, training is an essential part of an individual’s professional development.  Whilst professional qualifications may offer a standard technical training path, we believe tailored ‘on-the-job’ and wider skills development support for individuals, based on their own needs and ambitions is vital. 

We recently caught up with Audit and Accounts Assistant, Katie Whitsey, to find out how her training has shaped and shifted since joining Magma in February 2020.

Katie elaborated: “Since beginning my journey with Magma, I am grateful for the flexibility they offered me when starting my AAT apprenticeship (Association of Accounting Technicians).  They allowed me to begin at a level I felt comfortable with, enabling me to progress rapidly from AAT level 2 to my current level 4 apprenticeship.

“This did not come without its own challenges as completing my college education during the Covid pandemic was a very different experience.  However, Magma has been incredibly supportive throughout, dedicating their efforts to help me overcome various obstacles.  They allowed me to complete qualifications at my own pace, offered study days whenever required and regular updates to discuss any industry changes that could impact my work.”

At Magma, we avoid the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to learning and development, ensuring we focus on individual needs, based on strengths, areas of concern, and career goals.  Katie continued: “Regular feedback and guidance where I need it most from managers is a real plus for me.  As with any job, there is a lot to learn, so having people available who understand my specific needs is invaluable to my development.”

The future is looking bright for Katie, who is planning to progress onto ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) in the autumn and qualifying late 2025/early 2026.  We are very excited to support Katie on that journey and to fuel her wider ambitions!