Sarah Heaton (née Jamieson)

I attended Wirral Grammar School for Girls 7 years. In Sixth Form I took English language, psychology and religious studies.

Since leaving Wirral Grammar School for Girls in 2010 I attended Liverpool John Moores University and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance. During my time at University I was lucky enough to gain work experience at a small local accounting practice on the Wirral (work experience is key for this profession). After spending my Christmas and summer breaks working with them they then offered me a full time role as a Trainee Accountant, after my studies finished in 2013. I gratefully accepted!

I spent around 5 years at the local practice, gaining lots of experience and knowledge and working my way up from Trainee Accountant, to Accounts Professional to Client Manager in 2016! They also supported me in completing my studies and I qualified with the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) in 2017. Whilst at the small practice they nominated me for employee of the year at the FSB Awards (Federation of small business awards) which I came second in. I also won a place (1/20) from 100s of applicants on the ACCA Leaders of tomorrow programme.

Whilst also at the local accounting practice I bought my first house near Warrington and got married. I had to commute to the local accounting firm from my new home over the water for a period of time. I then decided to challenge myself and make the move to a job closer to home and so I left the small accounting practice in 2018 and gained a role as a General Practice Client Manager at one of the largest Independent Chartered accountancy practices in the North West. I have been gaining lots of experience and knowledge from my new role since then and I now manage a team of 5 a large portfolio of diverse clients.

I really enjoyed my time at WGSG; I made friends for life and the teachers really cared about my education. Mr Loveland was a great teacher for my religious studies A Level which I did well in! I also remember my English Language A level lessons fondly with Miss McGarigle!