As we continue to celebrate Apprenticeship Week here at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore, we are joined today by Niall Brolly. Like his colleague Patrick McGeary, Niall joined the firm directly from school and is in the first year of his apprenticeship, spending one day a week at Ulster University and four days a week with Baker Tilly Mooney Moore through the BSc (Hons) Accounting with Management Degree Apprenticeship programme.
Why did you choose an apprenticeship and why did you choose accountancy?
The apprenticeship route offers a hands-on experience while learning, unlike anything that can be done at university. Being in an office environment straight out of school allows you to build connections, both with experienced accountants and clients, which is critical towards building a career. My father also studied accountancy; I suppose you could say it’s in the family.
Describe the day-to-day life in your apprenticeship.
Like Patrick, I’m in university every Monday and the office the other four days of the week. I work as part of the tax team in Baker Tilly Mooney Moore, assisting with preparation of tax returns for individuals and businesses, which involves collection and review of documentation as well as dealing with clients.
How have you adjusted to life in Belfast?
Moving to Belfast has been an exciting and transformative experience that has broadened my perspective. There is an independence and confidence that comes with going into work straight from school. Having a job and being surrounded by older colleagues rather than being in university with people my own age has also allowed me to mature more quickly.
What are your interests outside of work and university?
I enjoy going to the gym regularly, as well as playing hurling and Gaelic football for my local GAA club, Banagher. Of course like anyone my age, I enjoy socialising with friends, who are mostly students. It’s here that the apprenticeship route has also been to my benefit, meaning that I maybe don’t have to budget for a night out as much as a student would, and the earning of a wage also allows me to travel more than a typical student would.
Can you tell us about your experience with the Conservation Volunteers as part of the Baker Tilly Mooney Moore team?
The day out with the Baker Tilly Mooney Moore team at the Ulster Folk Museum was a great experience. Getting away from your desk for the day and getting your hands dirty for a good cause was a great bonding experience for all of the team. As I’ve learned through team sports, a bit of shared graft can go a long way towards bringing people together. For that work to have been done supporting something as important as the work of the Conservation Volunteers is a great thing. I look forward to returning to the Ulster Folk Museum to see the project once completed, and I’ll be proud to say we played a part in it.
What advice would you give to anyone considering going down the accountancy apprenticeship route?
I would definitely recommend it. You’re gaining experience far more quickly in the working world this way, whilst not missing out on your education. On top of that, you have no university fees so will finish with a degree, four years’ experience in an office, and no student debt. Personally, I feel that the responsibilities of the job and the office environment have helped me mature as a person much quicker than I would have had I gone down the university route.