If you are a school leaver, you might assume a career in accountancy isn’t open to you. But as ICAS trainee Sophie McCormack has discovered, Drummond Laurie offers school leavers rewarding opportunities to pursue Chartered Accountancy qualifications while they work.
Leaving school and making plans…
Accountancy was always my plan once it came time to leave school.
I decided that university wasn’t the path for me. Instead, I wanted to learn through practical experience. I liked the idea of learning on the job while studying to gain an accountancy qualification. Looking back, joining Drummond Laurie was the right decision for me.
Choosing the right path for a school leaver…
I was looking for an employer that offered a path to chartered accountancy and would support my development right from the start. As I didn’t want to go to university, it was important to find a company that combined practical experience and a group of trainees I could talk to and learn from at different stages of my qualifications.
It was clear that I’d get that support at Drummond Laurie plus the chance to take on new responsibilities as I progressed.
Sophie on why she chose to join Drummond Laurie as a school leaver…
I decided to apply to Drummond Laurie after two team members came to my school to talk about the school leaver programme. They were friendly, approachable and enthusiastic about Drummond Laurie. They spoke positively about both the work ethic and the team.
Hearing how positive their experiences had been really stood out for me. It came across as a place where I could build my career in accounting and be part of a friendly and supportive team.
Investing in school leavers and the Drummond Laurie team…
It was clear that there was a real focus on supporting employees throughout their training. The firm genuinely cares about their team and doesn’t see them as just employees.
That level of support isn’t always offered to school leavers, especially at larger accountancy firms. It convinced me Drummond Laurie was the right place to start my career.
Sophie on the highlights of her time so far at Drummond Laurie…
No two days are the same as a trainee at Drummond Laurie. Every day you learn something new and get a chance to put your knowledge into practice.
It can be challenging at times, but there is always, without a doubt, someone to turn to for help, and that has built my confidence.
I feel like I’ve developed so much already after only a year. It’s been really rewarding to build my knowledge and confidence through hands-on experience. I’ve also enjoyed getting to work with different clients and see how the work I do impacts them.
The social scene at Drummond Laurie…
Enjoying time together outside of work is a big part of life at Drummond Laurie. The firm believes it’s important to get to know each other outside the office, and I’ve enjoyed attending various nights out and events with the team.
The social club organises activities regularly throughout the year. It’s a great way to get to know people from different departments that you don’t work with on a day-to-day basis.
Should school leavers consider applying to Drummond Laure?
Definitely! If you know you want to start working straight away rather than go to university, I’d recommend Drummond Laurie.
The firm really invests its time and money into trainees, and everyone genuinely wants you to succeed. I’ve had a great first year at Drummond Laurie and any school leaver interested in a career in accountancy should definitely consider Drummond Laurie.
Opportunities for school leavers in accountancy with Drummond Laurie
At Drummond Laurie, we strive to be an employer of choice for school leavers interested in accountancy. Nurturing young talent is part of what we do and supporting your development is our priority.
Drummond Laurie’s 2026 recruitment for school leavers will launch in September 2026. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and X for updates or learn more about completing your professional accountancy qualifications with Drummond Laurie.