At Dunkley’s, we take great pride in watching our team grow and succeed as they advance in their careers. This month, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on Luke, one of our dedicated Client Managers, and share his journey since joining us six years ago.
Luke’s career at Dunkley’s is a testament to growth, dedication, and the power of continuous learning. Starting as a graduate, he has navigated his way through various roles to become one of our team of Client Managers, earning invaluable experience along the way.
The Early Days: From University to Qualified Accountant
Luke joined Dunkley’s after completing his degree in accounting and finance at UWE, eager to immerse himself in the world of accountancy. He went straight into our graduate programme studying for his ACCA. He already had a number of exemptions on this, due to his degree, so he had four modules and exams to do to complete the course, which he did in a year.
Growing into a Leadership Role
As he advanced in his career, Luke took on more responsibilities, moving into the role of Sub Team Leader within 18 months to a year initially managing two apprentices in the accounts team. This grew steadily to a team of five. Luke’s line manager has been our Director, Joe throughout his career and Luke likes to think he was always one step behind Joe on their journeys.
Taking a Sabbatical
At the start of 2024 Luke was granted a sabbatical from Dunkley’s to spread his wings and travel for three months to Australia and South-East Asia. The Management team were supportive of this decision and kept his place at Dunkley’s open for him. He is proud to be the first Dunkley’s employee to have been given this opportunity which has now been written into company policy.
Upon his return, to his delight, Luke was promoted to Client Manager – a role that collectively oversees the whole accounting department which was a significant step up for him. He attributes much of his ability to do this role to the fact that, in the early part of his career before Dunkley’s evolved into its current structure of dedicated departments, he gained experience from working with all areas of the business so he has a wealth of knowledge and experience that he can share with all the team.
The Dunkley’s Difference
Reflecting on his journey, Luke attributes much of his success to Dunkley’s’ supportive culture. The firm fosters an environment where employees are encouraged to grow, take on new challenges, and develop their careers in a way that aligns with their personal goals. For Luke, the combination of a strong team, professional development opportunities, and an ever-evolving industry has made his time at Dunkley’s both fulfilling and exciting.
When asked about what he loves about working at Dunkley’s Luke said:
“Dunkley’s is a really sociable firm to work for. We’ve got a young team, and we try to have lots of nights out. Everyone is really supportive too. It’s a very good sociable and supportive team to work for.”
Luke Withey – Client Manager at Dunkley’s
On his highlights Luke mentioned passing his ACCA and then being promoted to Client Manager as his main ones. Not to mention winning their fantasy football league for the past two years!
Luke’s story serves as an inspiration for those considering a career in accountancy, showing that with the right support and a passion for learning, the possibilities are endless.