Sam is bookkeeping apprentice of the year

Spalding-based Riverside Training is celebrating after one of its students scooped the Apprentice of the Year title at the prestigious Institute of Certified Bookkeeper's (ICB) LUCA Awards.

Sam Hurst, an ICB Assistant Accountant Level 3 apprentice, was nominated by Riverside training director Suzie Bulbeck and head of accountancy apprenticeships, Victor Gidney.

Suzie said: "We are delighted for Sam, who truly deserves the recognition for his commitment and attitude to training, which have both been exemplary.

"He is a very worthy winner - having an average exam score to date of an impressive 95 per cent and now highly skilled on Xero, a cloud-based accounting software platform.

"The win is particularly gratifying for Riverside Training, as we only launched bookkeeping apprenticeships this year after securing accreditation from the ICB."

Sam set up a subsidiary office of his family-run Accumulus Accounting company in Peterborough 18 months ago, specialising in the hotel industry.

With a background in retail, Sam realised the need for formal accountancy training if he was going to be effective in his role and signed up for the ICB apprenticeship.

Sam has now developed the business from a husband and wife team to eight members of staff and an impressive client list.

He said: "I was very grateful to be nominated for Apprentice of the Year and thrilled to find out that I had won as it recognised the hard work I have put into my work and training.

"Riverside Training and Victor Gidney have been fantastic every step of the way, supporting my training as well as fitting around the needs of our business.

"The skills I am learning are really paying off when it comes to business development too"

Sam has also realised the value of apprenticeships.

"As well as myself, there are two other staff currently working through the bookkeeping apprenticeship - and we are all supported by Victor and Riverside Training. I also have three business administration apprentices working for me," he added.

In addition to assistant accountant apprenticeship Level 3, Riverside Training delivers a whole raft of industry qualifications including Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping, Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping & Accounting, Level 3 Diploma in Payroll Management and Level 4 Certificate in Advanced Bookkeeping & Accounting