Beckie Talbot speaks of her seven years of high achievement with Jacksons – and juggling motherhood with her career.
When Beckie joined Jacksons Law firm seven years ago, she didn’t realise the “rollercoaster” that would lie ahead, from choosing to return to work part time when her baby was just six weeks old, to working from home through covid, studying, exams and several promotions!
However, despite the late nights, hard work, and dedication it’s been a positive and supportive experience, during which she has completed her Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification and her Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification.
The high quality of her work, grit and determination has also seen Beckie promoted from Legal Cashier to Finance Manager – with several roles in between.
Beckie explains: “Seven years ago, I was looking for a position within finance and I started with Jacksons in a Legal Cashier role.
“This is quite a unique job role, dealing with client monies whilst complying with the SRA rules.
“When I joined, I was already doing my AAT Level 3 qualification, which I was self-funding.
“Jacksons then funded my level 4 qualification, which I started just before I fell pregnant.”
Beckie took six weeks of maternity leave – but was eager to quickly get back to work and study.
“I was eager to continue with my studies without too much of a break,” she said.
“There was a bit of a need from both sides for me to get back to work, so it suited us both.
“I was able to do some work from home and Jacksons were really flexible. It worked out well for everyone.”
So, as her son, who is now five, slept, Beckie worked, with credit control now added to her Legal Cashier role.
Her part-time working from home continued throughout lockdown, with Beckie unable to get her son a place at nursery until he was 15 months old due to the covid restrictions.
At that point, Beckie returned to the office 4 days a week.
“With both the Legal Cashier role and the credit control aspect of the job, my knowledge expanded,” Beckie said.
“Since I returned to work, Jacksons have supported me through my ACCA qualification, allowing me to take on additional tasks as relevant on-the-job experience is essential to passing the qualification.
With working, studying, and juggling the demands of being a mum too, Beckie admits the past seven years have “been a bit of a rollercoaster!”
“Jacksons has seen me through a lot of stages and milestones in my life,” she says.
“Having my son changed my life and everything I’ve done after that point – with the support and funding from Jacksons – has been for him. However, I would not have been able to achieve so much in such a small amount of time if it was not for the support of my family helping with childcare and believing in me.
Beckie also credits her manager, Amie Callan, Partner and Head of Operations, with helping her to achieve success.
“She has been a role model,” she said.
“I’ve learned so much from her, and she has always encouraged me when others might have been saying ‘You’re taking on too much’.
Beckie adds the friendly environment at Jacksons has also helped her to succeed.
She has always felt supported, and that people were there to “help you to achieve what you set out to”.
Over the years, Beckie has had frequent promotions, having started out as a Legal Cashier, rising to Assistant Management Accountant, Management Accountant and most recently, Finance Manager.
“I have been promoted quite quickly and I think that’s down to my determination and communication with my manager in connection with my personal and professional goals,” she says.
“I haven’t stopped when it comes to my continuous study and professional development, from completing my last AAT exam in June 2021 to starting my ACCA qualification in September 2021”
Beckie sat her last exam for ACCA in September 2023 and achieved her Finance Manager promotion in February and, most recently, obtained her Oxford Brookes Degree in September 2024, which was also funded by Jacksons.
She admits: “You look back at working four days per week, studying and being a Mam and you think ‘what was I doing!?’
“There were a few late nights that is for sure, but it has all been worth it in the end,” she said.
“I can’t thank Jacksons enough for the way they have supported me to achieve my goals.
“It’s rare to find an employer that invests in their employees, and Jacksons are quite far ahead when it comes to supporting staff through their continuous professional development when compared to other employers.”
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