Pictured above: (clockwise from left) Heidi Harris, Ceciel Harris, Lewis Forman and Lawrie Williams

A Birmingham accountancy firm is celebrating a successful start to 2011 by expanding its team and re-locating to larger offices in the prestigious Fort Dunlop development.

Harris & Harris Accountancy Services specialises in advising clients in the civil society sector and operates as a Community Interest Company, investing any surpluses in local projects that support training and employment opportunities.

Following a host of new client wins, including several London-based organisations, the firm has now taken on two apprentices to help manage its growing workload. 

In keeping with its commitment to increasing training opportunities for local people, it is also providing valuable work experience to two volunteers to help them complete their ACCA qualifications.

Heidi Harris, owner of Harris & Harris Accountancy Services, said:  "We're really excited by the successful start to the year. 

"The civil society sector has never been so important to the economy and, in challenging and fast-changing times, having access to affordable, specialist advice can make all the difference to an organisation's success.

"By operating as a CIC ourselves, we understand the specific challenges our clients face. The successful start to the year we're enjoying is a reflection of the value our clients place on that expertise and our commitment to delivering real value to their organisation."

Heidi puts her decision to recruit apprentices to expand the team, rather than following the traditional graduate recruitment route, down to the level of in-depth training in core accounting skills offered by the apprenticeship scheme. 

Both apprentices are now studying for their AAT qualifications through the firm, with Laurie currently studying for Level 2 and Lewis working towards Level 3.

Heidi continued: "Apprenticeships are a less well-known route into the accounting profession but, for us, they offered significant advantages.

"While many degree courses cover a range of areas of accountancy practice, many of these are only in overview form. By pursuing the apprenticeship route, Laurie Williams and Lewis Formon can develop a thorough understanding of the core principles of accounting while gaining valuable on-the-job experience, all of which will help them when they specialise at a later date.

"We're delighted with the contribution that Laurie, Lewis and our volunteers have made to the business in such a short period of time and look forward to them playing an integral part in our ongoing success."