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For our final story in celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, hear from Thomas Buckley-Smith below on how he started as an apprentice and has gone on to become one of our Directors.
I joined Gascoynes back in 2004 as a trainee accountant and looking back on my career, it’s incredible to see how far I’ve come!
From a trainee accountant on an apprenticeship to becoming a director of the company in 2020, I’ve been with Gascoynes throughout a huge period of growth.
Over this time, we’ve completed eight acquisitions and opened further offices in Wymondham and Ipswich.
My journey has been one of hard work, continuous learning, and embracing opportunities.
The Beginning: Learning the Ropes
Like many aspiring accountants, I started my career through an apprenticeship. This hands-on experience allowed me to apply what I was learning in real time, gaining practical insights into finance, taxation, and business strategy. While studying for my qualifications, I was also learning the value of attention to detail, client relationships, and the importance of working within a team.
Climbing the Ladder: From Trainee to Leadership
As my skills and confidence grew, so did my responsibilities. I moved from handling basic accounts and tax returns to more complex advisory work, helping businesses navigate financial challenges. Each new role brought fresh challenges—whether it was managing a team, working with high-profile clients, or contributing to strategic decisions.
I quickly realised that technical knowledge alone wasn’t enough. Leadership, communication, and problem-solving were just as important.
Over 10 years, I became a key member of the management team supporting Chris Reeve when he took over from Barry Gascoyne and assisting with acquisitions to help grow the business.
Becoming a Director: A Milestone Achievement
Reaching directorship wasn’t just about title—it was about taking ownership, driving growth, and shaping the future of the firm. The transition required a shift in mindset, from focusing solely on accounts to leading teams, building client relationships, and making strategic decisions.
I was proud to become a director of the firm in 2020, alongside Ashley MacDonald and Mark Thurston. More recently in November 2024, we also successfully completed a management buy-in of Gascoynes becoming equal shareholders in the business.
This change will allow us to continue to improve efficiencies and grow from offices in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Wymondham as we continue to expand our coverage to across East Anglia
Reflecting on my journey, I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, but I know the learning never stops. The accounting industry is always evolving, and staying ahead means continuously adapting!
Apprenticeships at Gascoynes
Here at Gascoynes, we’re proud to support apprenticeships with 64% of employees completing an apprenticeship at some point in their employment with us.
Apprenticeships are so important to us, we have a passion for helping people build successful careers in accountancy.
We pride ourselves on a supportive work environment and we work closely with First Intuition, the college who provide accountancy courses, to give people everything they need to succeed in their accountancy career.
My advice for aspiring Accountants would be:
✔ Embrace Learning – Every challenge is an opportunity to grow.
✔ Be Proactive – Take on responsibilities beyond your job description.
✔ Develop Soft Skills – Technical knowledge is crucial, but communication and leadership set you apart.
✔ Stay Resilient – Success doesn’t happen overnight; persistence is key.
For anyone considering a career in accounting, know that the opportunities are limitless. With dedication and the right mindset, you can achieve incredible things—just like I did.
All this week, we’ve been celebrating National Apprenticeship Week.
If you’ve missed out on any of our stories, you can catch up on them below:
Abu Uddin –
https://gascoynes.co.uk/abu-apprenticeship-journey/
Lilly Chipchase –
https://gascoynes.co.uk/lilly-apprenticeship-journey/
Rebecca Royal
https://gascoynes.co.uk/rebecca-apprenticeship-journey/
If you’d like to find out more about what it’s like working here and to keep an eye on our job vacancies, visit our careers page here: https://gascoynes.co.uk/working-at-gascoynes/
