Seven years after the inception of the Hornby Academy, the first recruit has emerged as a chartered accountant.

The academy was established by JF Hornby & Co in 2016 with the ambition to invest in young local college leavers eyeing alternatives to university education.

Esther Klijn has surfaced as the second graduate of the academy and following a successful conclusion of her final round of examinations, has now achieved the chartered accountant status.

Ms Klijn said: "It has been a long journey with some setbacks on the way, but I have always had a lot of support from my colleagues which has helped me achieve my dream."

“Gaining chartered accountant status after seven years of work has not really sunk in yet - but the main thing I feel is relief that I don’t have to sit any more exams for a while!

"I am very grateful for the amazing support I've had from the team and the faith the business has put in me to pass these exams.

"I feel proud to be part of the Hornby team and happy to say that I am a successful apprentice on their scheme."

Ms Klijn was amongst the first four aspiring accountants who joined the Hornby Academy straight out of college, with another five currently immersed in various stages of their educational journey.

The academy, set up by the twice-named UK accountants of the year JF Hornby & Co, provides full funding to its members, allowing them to sidestep hefty tuition fees generally associated with university education.

Paul Hornby, managing director, said: "The financial investment we make into the learning and development of all our Academy trainees is significant - but I consider it to be money incredibly well spent and invested.

"I am proud of Esther’s achievement in becoming the first of our Academy to achieve Chartered Accountant status from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), having joined us from sixth form.

"She has shown fantastic levels of determination and commitment to get this far and I look forward to her continued development with the business."

Ms Klijn has over time established her own roster of around 75 clients.

She was recently elevated to the role of VAT manager, reviewing the majority of VAT returns completed by the business.

Today, she is the main face of the JF Hornby Money Club, an initiative that aims to impart financial education to school pupils.

Looking forward, Ms Klijn said: "My main plan is to focus on working hard for my clients while looking at the opportunities held here at the firm and exploring my various options with Paul to see which area I can help with the most."

JF Hornby & Co, with a staff of 50, offers a wide range of services to more than 2,000 clients.

Operating from their Ulverston office, the company provides accountancy, tax and tax planning, corporate finance, payroll solutions and cloud accounting services.