Graduate’s future was written in the stars

An astrophysics graduate from Clayton-Le-Moors is following in her father’s footsteps by becoming an accountant, and has gained a crucial qualification from the global body for professional accountants.

Heather Snodgrass (26) has achieved a Foundation ACCA qualification whilst continuing in her role of Accounts and Audit at Accrington-based Mayes Accountants.

Having studied astrophysics at the University of Manchester, where she counted BBC presenter Professor Brian Cox amongst her lecturers, Heather returned to her Accrington roots to take up a role at Mayes Accountants. Heather’s father Norman Snodgrass was a director before his retirement and still acts as a consultant at the firm.

Heather said: “I’m delighted to have taken this big step towards becoming a fully-fledged accountant. I have always felt an attraction to the profession having seen my dad working growing up, and been intrigued as you are as a youngster.”

Heather had always been very talented with figures and found maths and statistics some of the easier subjects at school.

“Extremely complex mathematics underpins the world of physics, so my education stood me in good stead for a career as an accountant.”

Heather’s achievement follows Mayes being awarded the highest possible level of ‘Approved Employer’ status by ACCA in the areas of trainee and professional development earlier this year. Chairman of Mayes, Andrew Botham, said: “We have always believed that comprehensive and on-going training and development of our talented team is one of our business’ key success factors.”