To celebrate this huge achievement, we asked Barnes a few questions to find out more.

How do you feel about your award?

Thrilled, I thought I'd done well but I never imagined I'd done quite so well. I'm incredibly proud of joining what one of the Senior Auditors up north described as the 'Golden Pen club'

What made you decide to become a trainee?

I decided to become a trainee as I'd completed my degree/AAT qualification and was looking to continue my personal development, I was already working in the public sector at a local council when I found the advert and realized it'd be a perfect opportunity to continue towards being fully chartered.

Why did you choose the Audit Wales programme?

I chose Audit Wales as I was already working in public sector finance and I've always been rather curious about auditing. There were a few times where I had to provide evidence for work I'd been engaged in to the audit team from Audit Wales over my time in my previous role and I guess that planted the seed in my head of 'What would it be like working as an auditor' - It was a golden opportunity really and I was lucky enough that the advert had gone out twice that year for my cluster, I happened to catch it the second time it went out.

What’s your favourite part of being a trainee?

That's a hard question, I'd say the people I work with and the fact auditing is such a wide ranging subject. You never do the same thing twice really. The North Wales cluster are all lovely people and the culture at Audit Wales is so welcoming. I've worked in a few places over the years that had a terrible work culture and it makes a world of difference.

What do you see yourself doing in the future?

I'm not entirely sure, I'd love to continue with Audit Wales just because of how much I like it here. But this award has me curious if there's some other aspect of accounting that I've not yet explored and that I'd be really good at. If I do move on though? I'll always remember Audit Wales fondly and be keeping an eye out to return in the future.

Do you have any advice for anyone thinking of being a graduate trainee?  

Do it, it's a fantastic opportunity and Audit Wales is a fantastic organization.

We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Barnes again on his achievement and looking forward to seeing his career progress even further.