Development & Progression

KATIE OSBORN-JONES – PARTNER AND CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER 

“Before I went to university, I’d never really thought about a career in accountancy. Though my degree was in Finance & Business I’d only done some basic accounting, and my first job was with a logistics company. I had to relocate a lot and wanted more stability, and it was through a family contact when I approached TC Group. I thought I’d give it a go, even though I still had doubts and didn’t think my personality would suit accountancy – but I was completely wrong! 

There were some early challenges, such as worrying about not making mistakes and being blamed, but that isn’t how it is. You’re helped and supported and there’s nothing to be afraid of. Meeting clients and giving advice over the phone can be daunting, but it’s helped me grow and become more confident. Stepping outside your comfort zone can be empowering.

I passed all my professional exams in three years and that was extraordinarily liberating. You’re suddenly out-of-the-trees and qualified, and I have to admit that the money really made a difference. I could suddenly buy a car and other things, and that was a big motivator. Also, studying isn’t so hard. Just a few hours a night and some weekends – it doesn’t take over your life.

Now I have a pool of clients who come to me and I co-ordinate the provision of advice and solutions which is very satisfying. When I was made a Partner, I still remained in touch with all aspects and processes of the business, including being on-hand to help and guide our newer recruits.

It helps that TC Group’s a very forward thinking and dynamic firm with a youthful spirit, and I’m completely surprised at how much I continue to enjoy it. I don’t regret a single day.”

MARTYN SMITH – PARTNER

“I signed up for an apprenticeship because it gave me the opportunity to obtain my professional qualifications quicker and without the debt of University. But most importantly, it gave me the on the job experience which I felt gave me an advantage in progressing through my career quickly.

When I started college I wrote to over 50 Accountancy firms enquiring about future apprenticeships and jobs. TC Group were the only ones to respond to me and invited me in to offer some advice, even though they didn’t have a current position for me. As I was coming to the end of my time at college, I contacted TC Group again, as the support they’d already offered me automatically made it my first choice on the list of places I wanted to work as I knew I would get the support I needed to achieve my goals.

When I started I was very very shy.

Working alongside the Partner in a rapidly growing firm I was exposed to many different areas of the business and to clients. I quickly learnt that it was fine to say “I don’t know” and then seek advice. Now, I’d say that I’m extremely confident in pretty much any scenario I’m put in. But even now, still, I’m not afraid to say “I don’t know”.

My journey at TC Group’s been everything I could’ve wished for. I was supported through all of my studies and was encouraged to take whatever path I wanted to within the business. I’ve now completed my journey from Apprentice to Partner and couldn’t be happier! Now, my role’s to be that helping hand for all my Trainees that are going through their own journey and helping them to achieve their own goals, like what I once had.

Whilst I’m proud of my own achievements, I’m more proud of despite how big TC Group have grown as a business, we’ve not lost that local approach to staffing. Meaning, we’re still able to bring Trainees through and offer personal support. This has enabled me to build a fantastic team of Accountants who will all be very successful. Being even a small part of that success outweighs any of my personal achievements.”

REBECCA COLES – ASSOCIATE PARTNER

“I joined Bulley Davey in 2015 with only GSCE qualifications to my name. I was completing my AAT Level 3 at Peterborough Regional College, and then went on to completing my AAT Level 4 in 2017 via a Traineeship with Bulley Davey. I choose this entrance into Accountancy because I wanted hands-on experience within a workplace and I wanted to learn from qualified accountants.

When I first started, I needed hand-holding throughout the whole process of producing accounts, VAT returns and personal tax returns. The team were so patient with me when I started as I really didn’t know a thing about accounting. I then managed to produce these on my own with them being reviewed by a manager, which felt like a massive achievement. As the years have passed, I’ve been the one to train up my team with the same guidance I received when I first started. Now I’m responsible for not only reviewing the work produced by the team to put forward to our clients, but as of the beginning of 2024 I now run the Peterborough office and help create new systems and processes to allow the Directors to scale up the business as well as run my own portfolio of clients.

By learning on the job, you can sit in clients meeting with them and learn from the team on how they approach situations and how they communicate with clients (and colleagues too) as this isn’t something you’re taught at school. It can seem daunting going from studying alongside school friends your own age to being the youngest and most inexperienced person in the office but you learn so much from your colleagues – it’s such a valuable lesson. It’s now so lovely to see trainees and apprentices in the office do well and talk to other members of the team about their exams, as you’ve been through it all yourself and know how they’re feeling.

Fully qualifying in 2020 was by far my proudest moment, a massive achievement that felt so far away when you first start your studying… but all the hard work from studying pays off! I then went on to receiving my MSc in Professional Accounting at the University of London in June 2021, then becoming a Manager in June 2022, to what I am now!”

TERRY BOSCOE – ASSOCIATE PARTNER

“At college I studied A Levels in Maths, Law and History and went on to study Law at University, but decided this wasn’t the career for me and started to look into Accounting after graduating.

I chose a Trainee opportunity as it was a good mixture of on-the-job training as well as time off for studying my ICAEW qualification, fully funded by TC Group!

TC Group straight away offered me the chance to get involved with a variety of clients and in different aspects of Accounting, which made me feel like a valuable member of the team. It was made clear they’d offer great progression opportunities, and in the time I’ve been here, I’ve worked my way up from being a Trainee to now an Associate Partner.

The support from other Trainees at the time was also really valuable, as they too were also going through the same journey as I was.

I enjoy working with a wide variety of clients and the different scenarios these individual clients bring. No day’s ever the same. I also enjoy the relationship I have with my colleagues, everyone gets on very well which makes the office an enjoyable place to be.”

I’m very happy with my journey at TC, I’m grateful for the support and encouragement provided to enable me to develop professionally and get to where I am today!”