with flying colours including first ever Distinction

James Cocker, Rebecca Nuttall, Anya Fallon and Connor Meadowcroft, who are all apprentices at PM+M – the North Westbased chartered accountancy, business advisory and wealth management group – are celebrating after completing Blackburn College’s Assistant Accountant Apprentice, which included completing the AAT Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Accounting. James Cocker has extra cause to celebrate as he achieved the first ever distinction at the college for this apprenticeship.

The AAT is the world's leading professional membership body for accounting technicians, with over 100,000 members worldwide and it is the UK's largest awarding body of skills-based qualifications in accounting.

The course covers a range of accounting procedures with students also required to create and present a portfolio of evidence through a professional discussion to demonstrate their ability to effectively apply the knowledge, skills and behaviours gained during their apprenticeship in the workplace.

James said:

“I am incredibly proud to be the first student who passed the course with a distinction as it is a globally recognised qualification that I know is highly valued within the accountancy industry. I am very grateful for the support and encouragement that I have received from everyone at PM+M, and I am looking forward to putting what I have learned into practice.”

Jane Parry – managing partner at PM+M – commented:

“We are delighted with the achievements of all four students, they have worked incredibly hard. We are proud of James in achieving the first ever distinction at the college, this is a testament to his continuous efforts and is a real milestone in his career. As a business, PM+M is committed to supporting the next generation of talent, we are thrilled with these results and will continue to support our apprentices on their career path.”

Maria Haworth – trainer and assessor at Blackburn College – added:

“James, Rebecca, Anya and Connor all worked incredibly hard during their studies with us and we are thrilled that James was our first apprenticeship distinction pass – especially as the marks required to achieve that grade are very high.”