Five new faces join Hampshire’s HWB

Published by

Sam Pither

HWB Operations Director Tracy Jenkins in the Hampshire accountancy firm’s boardroom with new trainees, from left, Mark McFadden, Tom Munn, Tiam Bakhtiar, Chris Ellison and Matthew Stephens.

Five new starters have joined Hampshire-based accountancy firm HWB, including a graduate trainee.

HWB’s new starters join in roles involving accounting, audit, tax advice and compliance, and payroll and pension administration. All are engaged in helping to manage HWB’s expanding business, with the firm seeing growing demand for accountancy services and business advice.

With their arrival, the Chandler’s Ford-based firm has now taken on more than 20 college leavers and trainees in the past three years.

Along with their on-the-job training, trainees work towards industry qualifications hosted by bodies including the Association of Chartered Accountants (ACA), the Association of Tax Technicians (ATT) and the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).

This year’s intake includes Trainee Accountant Chris Ellison, who previously completed a year’s placement at the firm before graduating at The University of the West of England in Bristol. He will now study for an ACA qualification.

Trainee Tax Assistant Tiam Bakhtiar will work in the Tax Compliance Team on tax returns while studying towards ATT qualification, while two Trainee Payroll Administrators, Tom Munn and Matthew Stephens, will help the Payroll Team to run payrolls and pension administration for clients - both will study towards CIPP qualification.

Simultaneously, Bournemouth University student Mark McFadden is starting a year’s placement, spending time in each of HWB’s departments before returning in summer 2023 to complete the final year of his degree.

HWB Operations Director Tracy Jenkins said: “We work very closely with schools, colleges and universities in our region to encourage new entrants to the profession.

“It’s a joy to welcome the latest cohort of young people who have made it through our selection process.

“I wish each of them every success as they progress in their careers and help us continue to serve our expanding client base.”

Image caption: HWB Operations Director Tracy Jenkins in the Hampshire accountancy firm’s boardroom with new trainees, from left, Mark McFadden, Tom Munn, Tiam Bakhtiar, Chris Ellison and Matthew Stephens. Credit: HWB

Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset. A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise. Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.