A WIRRAL company training the next generation of ‘digital-savvy’ accountants has made a pledge to veterans looking for a new career by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Accountancy Partnership (TAP), based in Birkenhead, has signed the Ministry of Defence's register to provide job opportunities to unemployed veterans and their families.

The Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) is a commitment to help members of the Armed Forces community gain employment and have access to healthcare, education, housing and accommodation and financial services.

TAP has recruited two former military personnel from the Royal Navy and RAF and has also received the Bronze Award from the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme.

The company has a job scheme called the Junior Accountant Programme and is encouraging serving personnel, their families and veterans to apply if they are looking for employment while serving or after leaving the forces.

RAF Wing Commander Martin Morris and Ministry of Defence regional employer director Jan Cox visited the firm’s headquarters at Egerton Wharf in Birkenhead to sign its pledge to the Covenant.

They met Kevin Markham, an RAF veteran who served in logistics for 22 years before deciding to become an accountant.

Research by the British Legion says 57% of male veterans may not be able to gain full time work and are nearly twice as likely to be unemployed compared to other working age men.

However, the charity claims veterans are more likely to gain more transferable skills whilst serving which makes them ideal applicants for a variety of different jobs in life beyond the frontline.

The Office of Veterans Affairs have said since the AFC was introduced, alongside the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), 86% of service leaders benefitted from the system, finding full time employment within six months.

More than 11,000 businesses have signed the AFC, which brings together government bodies, businesses and charities to show their full support and respect towards our veterans.

Kevin was recruited into the Junior Accountant Programme, which provides trainees with ‘fast-track immersive training’ in every aspect of accounting.

The company’s senior accountants oversee trainees’ management of a portfolio of clients while delivering training on the use of cutting-edge digital accounting software.

Mr Markham said: “People couldn’t believe that I was going into an office job and working in accountancy.

“But I just always felt like it was the right move for me. I was quite happy to know where I was going to be from one day to the next and doing a nine-to-five.”

TAP’s managing director Lee Murphy has been so impressed with the work done by his staff who are former military, he contacted the AFC to make official pledges to help veterans.

Mr Murphy said: “By pledging our support to the Armed Forces Covenant, we are proudly standing alongside our nation’s veterans, families and serving personnel.

“We recognise their invaluable skills and dedication during service and we have committed to provide job opportunities and support in the workplace to help with the transition back to civilian life and future success.”