GOING back to college after many years added up for a school finance manager who is now using her new skills to good effect.
Liz Campbell has successfully completed levels 2, 3 and now 4 with a merit in the AAT professional diploma in accountancy after being encouraged by a colleague to study at Darlington College.
Darlington-born and bred, Liz attended St Teresa’s Primary School and Carmel College before starting work with NatWest on the counter, in enquiries, on the foreign till and as a cashier.
She then moved to Argos where she was chief cashier, worked in recruitment, training and administration, before managing the Darlington store for seven years, leaving after having a second child.
In 2011 Liz moved to West Park Academy to work in the office, where a colleague suggested she go to Darlington College to continue her learning.
“I was interested in finance and decided an apprenticeship was the best route for me,” she recalled. “I studied at night classes and my tutor was fantastic at helping me get through to the end and with my portfolio.
“I had to do a lot of work myself, in the middle of a pandemic, and it was hard balancing my studies with work and family – it was full on. But I’m so pleased I persevered as what I have learnt really helps me at work.
“I’m using what I have learned in the classroom and feel so proud of what I have achieved. I have loved it and would recommend this apprenticeship route, which is really good at getting you to a certain level.
“I wouldn’t be doing what I am now if I had not gained these qualifications. Reaching level 3 meant I could register as a bookkeeper and reaching level 4 meant I could go on to study to become an accountant if I wanted. It is also beneficial to my school because I have a better understanding of finance and the accounting standards required to perform my role.”
