spofforths trainee is set to receive a prestigious award

Hayley Cleaver, a trainee accountant from Spofforths, is celebrating after winning the Watts Prize for achieving top marks in an ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) Professional Stage examination.  The twenty-three-year-old, who is based at our Chichester office, sat the Audit and Assurance paper in June and is delighted with her result.  Nine other Spofforths trainees also successfully sat examinations towards the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification.  These covered audit and assurance, financial accounting, taxation and business strategy.

A prize giving ceremony will take place next year and Hayley will be invited to collect her award.  The Watts prize was established by the Women Chartered Accountants Dining Society in memory of Miss Ethel Watts. She was the first woman to be admitted to membership having successfully completed her professional examinations in 1924. 

Mark Spofforth, a senior partner based at our Chichester office, is currently Deputy President of ICAEW.  After reading the results he commented: “Our trainees worked extremely hard towards sitting these examinations and I am delighted with the results.  Hayley gained the highest mark worldwide in her exam which is a fantastic achievement.  At Spofforths we support our trainees as much as possible, ensuring that they feel confident in their chosen areas of expertise.  This year our trainees passed a variety of tough examinations and I am extremely proud of them all.”

Hayley Cleaver added: “I was amazed when I received a letter confirming that I have won the Watts prize.  I am so pleased that I spent six months preparing for the Audit and Assurance exam and one Financial Accounting exam, it was well worth it.  Spofforths advised me to take the examinations for the ACA qualification and I sit more papers in December.  I have gained so much experience with the firm and currently prepare accounts for small businesses, sole traders and partnerships.  I also help Spofforths senior accountants to carry out audit work.”

Other exam successes across the firm this Summer are:

Audit & Assurance and Financial Accounting

Robbie Cahill

Tom Banwell

Tanya Jones

Louise Saward

Taxation and Financial Reporting

David Hamilton-Brown

Business Strategy and Financial Management

Chris Hatley

Nikinder Notay

Jake Standing

Jeeten Patel (Financial Management only)