Jack Park joined Langham Hall as part of the September 2025 trainee accountant intake. We caught up with him to hear what surprised him most about the move from studying to working life, how he has found the apprenticeship model in practice and the advice he would give to others starting the ACCA.
At Langham Hall, our trainee programme is built around structured training, early responsibility and learning alongside experienced colleagues. Jack’s reflections capture what that looks like in practice when you are developing quickly, delivering real work and studying at the same time.
Q&A with Jack
What has been the biggest adjustment in moving from studying to your graduate role?
University was much more independent. While there was some group work, ultimately you were responsible only for yourself.
Moving into a role at Langham Hall was different. You are part of a team and others rely on you, including your line manager. There is a clear expectation around both the quality and timeliness of your work. That added responsibility was the biggest adjustment, but it also helped me develop quickly and feel accountable from the start.
How does the apprenticeship model work in practice at Langham Hall?
The apprenticeship model begins with two to three weeks of focused training. During that time, you gain a strong overview of the business and a detailed understanding of what you will be doing day to day, including areas such as bookkeeping.
After that, you move straight into actual work, supported closely by your line manager and team. There is a strong emphasis on learning on the job. In my view, that is the most effective way to develop because you are applying knowledge immediately and building experience alongside your studies. You learn faster because you are doing the work, getting feedback and improving in real time.
What advice would you give to others starting their ACCA while working full-time?
One of the most helpful things for me was using the people around me. I spoke to my line manager and team members about how they approached the ACCA and what worked for them.
When you start, you do not really know what to do. But everyone around you has been through that process before. Asking questions and seeking advice makes a real difference. The support is there, and being open to it helps you manage both work and study more effectively.
What excites you most about the next phase of your career at Langham Hall?
What excites me most is the sense of continuous learning. Every day presents an opportunity to improve and develop new skills.
There is real satisfaction in learning something new and then applying it directly to your work. That ongoing progression and steady improvement is what makes the next phase of my career something I am genuinely looking forward to.
