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This week is National Apprenticeship Week 2023 (6th – 12th February) and we have two fantastic apprentices working with us here at L J Fairburn & Son. Both James and Louise work as accounts assistants in our finance team and have been with us for a few years now. We caught up with them and asked them a few questions about life as an apprentice with us…
 
James Tarrant, 24
Accounts Assistant
 
What is it like doing an apprenticeship with Fairburn’s?
It’s great being part of an apprenticeship with Fairburn’s - they are very flexible with allowing me to study whenever I need to, alongside completing my daily tasks.
 
Why did you want to work here?
Fairburn’s is a family business where all staff are valued and well respected. These are the main things I was looking for in a job.
 
What did you do before joining Fairburn’s? 
Before Fairburn’s I went to the London School of Economics and Political science (LSE) where I studied Maths Stats and Business. I then worked in my family’s business where I would use CAD software to design fire alarm plans for buildings and electrical wiring diagrams for caravan sites.
 
Talk us through a typical workday for you… 
Being part of the accounts team I deal with lots of numbers on a daily basis. I carry out a lot of analysis work such as reviewing how we are performing vs forecasts and providing evidence for any financial decisions that are to be made.
 
What is your favourite thing about the role?
It is different every day which keeps me on my toes.
 
Why do you love eggs?
Whilst being tasty and versatile, they are a great source of essential nutrients.
 
What is your favourite way to eat eggs?
It has to be in a ham and cheese omelette!
 
Louise Waters, 27
Accounts Assistant
 
What is it like doing an apprenticeship with Fairburn’s?
Studying for a professional qualification while working full time can be very demanding and challenging, but as an apprentice you are entitled to 20% off the job training hours, which helps create a better work/study/life balance. Fairburn’s are incredibly supportive and encouraging towards me achieving my accountancy qualifications, which increases my motivation to work hard and pass my exams.
 
Why did you want to work here? 
Fairburn’s have grown exponentially since they established in 1951. They are an innovative, forward-thinking company that embrace change and it is exciting to be a part of that growth.
 
What did you do before joining Fairburn’s? 
I studied International Business Management at Northumbria University and International Marketing and Management at Université Claude Bernard Lyon. I then worked at a local accountancy practice preparing statutory accounts, VAT returns and assisting with external auditing, before starting my Accounts Assistant role with Fairburn’s in April 2021.
 
Talk us through a typical workday for you… 
As an Accounts Assistant my day-to-day activities include tasks such as: maintaining the sales and purchase ledgers – raising and processing invoices and credit notes, investigating discrepancies and resolving queries from customers and suppliers. I validate and process the payment of remittances to our producers and process the weekly payment run to our suppliers. I input timesheet data and process payroll. I perform monthly reconciliations for sales, purchases, payroll, VAT and prepare any necessary journal entries following this. On the last day of every quarter I count the amount of eggs on the floor in our factory. After receiving stock figures from other departments, I then value our stock for the management accounts.
 
What’s your favourite thing about the role? 
My favourite thing about the role is how much variety I have in my workload, which has allowed me work with and establish relationships with people in different departments and with our retailers. No two days are exactly the same and things are never quiet! As I progress through my studies, I feel I am gaining more responsibility and taking on more challenging tasks.
 
Do you have any interesting hobbies? 
I like to travel and visit new countries – me and my partner are scratching away a country at a time on our world scratch map!
 
What is your favourite way to eat eggs? 
Scrambled or homemade egg fried rice