Ahead of ApprenticeFest at RGU on Thursday 26 February, SBP is proud to be represented by our very own Graduate Apprentice, Darshan, who will be joining Gregg Walker from RGU at the event.
Darshan began his journey with SBP in August 2025, straight from school, and is now working towards a degree and ACCA qualification through the Graduate Apprenticeship in Accounts and Finance. Having attended ApprenticeFest himself as a school pupil last year, Darshan's story has come full circle.
At this year's event, he'll be sharing his experience of balancing work and study, the support he receives from SBP, and his advice for anyone considering the Graduate Apprenticeship route.
Q&A
You attended ApprenticeFest last year as a school pupil and are now back as a Graduate Apprentice, can you talk us through that journey and how things came full circle for you?
I attended ApprenticeFest in late November 2024 while I was in S5, exploring my future career options. That's where I first met Gregg Walker from RGU, who explained the Graduate Apprenticeship courses available. I was particularly interested in accounting, so the Accounts and Finance course immediately stood out to me.
After that, Gregg shared his contact details and I focused on studying for my Higher Prelim exams to achieve the grades needed to apply for the course. Once I received my results and met the entry requirements, the next step was finding an employer for the apprenticeship element.
Gregg then introduced me to SBP Accountants, where I applied, secured an interview, and was offered a place subject to meeting the final grades required to enrol at RGU. A few months later, I received a conditional offer from RGU, and once I completed my Higher exams and received my final results, this became an unconditional offer.
I started my apprenticeship with SBP in August 2025 and began my university studies at RGU in September 2025. I sat my first exam in November 2025, achieved an A, and that really boosted my confidence. Then in January 2026, Gregg contacted me again, this time inviting me back to ApprenticeFest on 26 February 2026, not as a pupil, but as a Graduate Apprentice representing RGU and SBP. That was a really proud moment for me.
You started at SBP straight from school in August 2025. What made a Graduate Apprenticeship in Accounts and Finance stand out to you compared to going to university full-time?
What stood out most was the opportunity to gain real-world experience while studying for a degree at the same time. At first, I assumed that studying mostly off-campus might mean it would take longer to complete my degree, but I quickly learned that the Graduate Apprenticeship takes the same length of time as the traditional university route.
The scheme allows me to earn a salary, avoid student debt, and work towards both a degree and professional qualifications (ACCA). Knowing that I'll complete the programme with five years of experience in an accounting firm, alongside my degree and ACCA qualification, made it extremely appealing. By the end of the programme, I'll be 21, which gives me a strong advantage compared to those who follow the traditional university path.
Your role at SBP covers a wide range of work, from accounts and VAT to tax returns and audits. How has being exposed to so many areas helped your learning and confidence so far?
Being exposed to different areas of accounting has helped build my confidence more than I expected. Preparing year-end accounts has directly supported my studies at RGU, particularly in my current module, Fundamentals of Financial and Management Accounting.
In financial accounting, we prepare financial statements and use double-entry bookkeeping, which I already apply daily at work when posting and recording journals. Because of this, I found it much easier to understand the topics being taught at university, as I could directly relate them to my day-to-day work.
The programme takes five years and leads to both a degree and ACCA qualification. How do you find balancing full-time work with your studies through RGU?
Balancing full-time work with studying can be challenging at times, especially when you also want to maintain hobbies and a social life, but it's very manageable with good organisation and support.
The structure of the Graduate Apprenticeship works extremely well, and the learning is directly relevant to my role at SBP, which makes studying feel purposeful rather than overwhelming. There are days when it can be tiring, especially after a full day at work followed by study in the evening, but having one dedicated study day each week and weekends to rest really helps me stay on track.
What kind of support do you receive from SBP to help you manage your workload, exams, and professional development?
SBP has been very supportive from the beginning. I'm always encouraged to ask questions, and there's plenty of guidance available when I'm learning something new, such as when I began training on VAT returns.
The firm is also very understanding around exam periods, reducing my workload when needed, and I receive ongoing support with my professional development through regular feedback and encouragement to keep progressing.
Meeting Gregg Walker at ApprenticeFest played a key role in you securing your apprenticeship. How important do you think events like this are for students exploring their options?
Events like ApprenticeFest are incredibly important. They give students the chance to have real conversations with people like Gregg Walker, who supported me throughout the application process and helped me find an employer.
Speaking to someone directly helped me understand the course in much more depth. It's also valuable for parents to attend, as it allows them to fully understand the Graduate Apprenticeship route too. For many students, events like this can open doors they didn't even know existed and make career pathways feel far more accessible.
For school pupils attending ApprenticeFest who might be unsure about apprenticeships, what advice would you give them based on your own experience so far?
My advice would be to keep an open mind and ask questions without feeling nervous. Apprenticeships aren't a “second option”- they're simply a different route. Graduate Apprenticeships, in particular, aren't widely known; even my guidance teacher wasn't familiar with the course at first.
If you like the idea of learning on the job, studying towards a degree, gaining valuable work experience, and earning a full-time salary, then the Graduate Apprenticeship route is definitely worth considering. Choosing this path has been one of the best decisions I've made so far.