Member Article

Mullen Stoker trainees become fully fledged accountants

North East accountancy firm Mullen Stoker is pleased to announce that two of its promising students have successfully passed their Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification with flying colours.

Jon Burgon and Mat Daff have both completed all four levels of the qualification with excellent results in all 15 examinations.

The next step for them is to complete additional training modules which enable them to secure ‘Chartered’ status – the benchmark for all accountants.

Jon, 24, from Seaham joined Belmont-based Mullen Stoker in 2021. At the time he was working in an EE store and was putting himself through his AAT studies.

Jon said: “I saw a position advertised at Mullen Stoker for a fully qualified accountant, however I thought I would apply anyway and was invited in for interview. Luckily, I was successful and was offered a trainee role which enabled me to complete the AAT diploma while learning on the job.

“The opportunity was brilliant for me as working in a practice is so different to learning when you’re not employed by an accountancy firm. I have learned so much more and have really enjoyed completing the qualification while at the same time gaining a real understanding of what is required to be an accountant.”

Mat, 23, from Ushaw Moor started with Mullen Stoker in 2022.

He was partway through the AAT qualification when he saw Mullen Stoker was advertising for a trainee accountant.

Mat said: “I was looking for jobs while I was working towards the AAT diploma and was over the moon when I saw a trainee role advertised with Mullen Stoker. I’d heard about them and knew they were a reputable employer, so I applied, and thankfully I was successful.”

Mat is now an assistant accountant, having initially been employed as an accounts trainee.

Both are now working towards their industry official ‘Chartered’ status.

Mullen Stoker was founded 13 years ago by Gary Stoker and Neil Mullen and has enjoyed year on year growth since. Although primarily recognised as a chartered accountancy firm, the company has a glowing reputation for its IT consultancy services and has a dedicated department within the business which manages all clients within this area.

Speaking about the progress Jon and Mat have made, Mullen Stoker director Stephen Green said: “Both Jon and Mat have really impressed during their time with us, becoming real assets to the business, and we were never in any doubt that they would pass the AAT diploma with flying colours.

“They are fully deserving of their qualification, and we will now be supporting them through their Chartered qualification which is the industry standard all of our accountants work to.”

Mullen Stoker is expanding around the North East and recently opened a second office in South Shields, managed by accountant Christine Griffiths.

The company employs 15 people across the business with plans to further grow the team over the next couple of years.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Leanne English .