Last updated at 14:51, Friday, 30 April 2010

Tracey, a qualified accounting and taxation technician, has worked for West Cumbrian accountants Robinson+co for 15 years. The 37-year-old from St Bees, has recently added Sage Line 50 accredited trainer to her list of qualifications. The team at Robinson+co have been advising businesses on their choice of accounting software for many years and provide bespoke training packages for these businesses. Due to the team's expertise and skills Robinson+co were one of the first firms in the area to be hand-picked by Sage to become one of its accounting partners.

SAGE AMBASSADOR: Sage training manager Tracey Kennett from Robinson+co solicitors.

MY role at Robinson+co is Sage training manager, I’ve been working with the programme for over 20 years as it’s one of the main softwares that’s used by most companies and organisations.

Robinson+co is a Sage accountant partner which means we have been hand-picked by Sage to demonstrate the skills and expertise to support businesses using the Sage programme.

As accountants we have to be able to give up to date and extensive training in the programme for our clients.

So myself and another colleague started the certificate in accounting and payroll under the Sage training scheme.

I focussed on the accounting aspect and my colleague Deirdre Chestney undertook the Sage payroll accreditation.

Certainly the accounting side was a thoroughly diverse area and included everything from booking keeping to taxation issues.

As part of the training you’re required to sit an online exam but the studying that’s involved is extremely in-depth and detailed. The exam involves every aspect of the programme’s applications.

In order to be an accounting partner we have to pass exams annually on Sage Line 50 and Sage payroll. The exams cover all aspects of the programmes and do require us to have a detailed knowledge.

Through having annual exams Sage ensure that our knowledge and expertise is kept up to date.

Sage also provides us with seminars during the year to keep us on top of the changes to programmes.

The training made me look at and analyse all areas of the software. The accreditation scheme ensures we have the skills and knowledge to deliver an outstanding customer experience on Sage products and services.

Due to our accounting and payroll backgrounds we are ideally placed to give our clients focused training to enable them to achieve the results they want from the software.

The whole process has made me look at different approaches to training people such as how to go about explaining things better to whoever I’m training and ensuring they get the most out of the programme.

Studying the whole programme from start to finish has definitely boosted my confidence and renewed my interest in the entire system.

First published at 15:46, Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk