At Asset Finance Solutions (UK) Ltd, we believe that investing in our people is just as important as investing in our business. One clear example of this philosophy in action is Sam Painter, who recently celebrated a major milestone in his professional journey, passing his AAT Level 3 qualification with an impressive 96% average test score.
Sam joined Asset Finance Solutions in 2022, bringing with him experience from the charity sector, where he had worked in a HR and payroll capacity. It was during this time that his interest in finance began to take shape, particularly through his involvement in payroll processes. Keen to pursue a more finance-focused career, Sam began exploring new opportunities, only to discover a common barrier: many employers required either formal accountancy qualifications or several years of direct experience.
That’s when Sam approached Asset Finance Solutions. We were in the process of expanding our team and saw in Sam not only enthusiasm and a strong work ethic, but also the potential to grow into a skilled and valued member of the finance function. With this in mind, we put in place a clear onboarding and development plan tailored to build both Sam’s confidence and his technical expertise.
Shortly after joining, Sam began his AAT studies. Having come through a school and college system where face-to-face learning had suited him well, he was relieved to be able to return to the classroom post-Covid. Speaking about the learning experience, he noted that being able to interact with peers and ask questions in real time was particularly beneficial and is something that online learning couldn’t quite replicate.
Balancing work and study was no easy feat. While undertaking AAT Level 2, Sam was also completing an apprenticeship in finance alongside his 9-5 role. Despite the workload, he excelled, achieving scores in the upper percentile of his class. He followed this with AAT Level 3, which, although still demanding, proved slightly more manageable without the additional apprenticeship commitments.
What has truly set Sam’s journey apart is his ability to apply his growing knowledge directly into his day-to-day role. As part of the finance team, Sam supports both the Synergy and AFS businesses with a wide variety of responsibilities in support of our AR Broker and Funding Panel network. He has also taken on the finance section of broker inductions, confidently explaining VAT schemes, a topic he credits his AAT studies with helping him master.
The practical, hands-on exposure has not only helped reinforce Sam’s learning but also deepened his interest in finance as a career. “The opportunity to immediately apply what I’ve learned has made the process so much more rewarding,” he explains.
Looking ahead, Sam is set to begin his AAT Level 4 qualification in September, a 15-month course that will bring him a step closer to becoming fully qualified. With elective modules available in areas such as management accounting, business tax, and forensic accountancy, he’s excited to explore which specialist paths may lie ahead.
When asked how he manages to juggle study and work, Sam shares that it’s all about routine. He regularly uses part of his lunch break for revision and continues to dedicate two hours each evening to coursework. He credits the support of his partner, who has taken on additional household responsibilities, as well as the continued encouragement and trust from the team at AFS, who have gradually increased his responsibilities to help embed his learning in real-world contexts.
Sam has some heartfelt advice for others considering a career change or for employers thinking of developing in-house talent: “Be open-minded, be patient, be resilient and be realistic.” We couldn’t agree more!
At Asset Finance Solutions (UK) Ltd, we are proud to support the development of our people and see their progression as an investment in our business. It’s why we’ve partnered with the Finance Education Centre, a specialist training provider, to help our brokers and staff grow both professionally and personally. You can learn more about their courses at www.fectraining.co.uk.
We wish Sam every success as he embarks on AAT Level 4 and look forward to seeing where his journey takes him next.
