What it’s like to be a finance apprentice

Journal of Accountancy Podcast

Darryl Bonner of Connecticut-based Liberty Bank is part of a pioneering finance apprenticeship program. He’s in the midst of a rotation through several departments at the bank, and he’s taking steps to receive the CGMA designation as well.

Bonner is one of the first apprentices in the AICPA’s Professional Apprenticeship for Finance Business Partners program, which in 2022 was approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.

On this podcast episode, Bonner discusses why he was drawn to Liberty Bank, how he mixes his day job with the CGMA Finance Leadership Program, and what title he seeks to achieve in his career.

Resources:

n Liberty Bank’s CFO, Paul Young, CPA, CGMA, joined the JofA podcast 13 months ago to discuss why the bank was interested in taking part in the program and how adding apprentices could help to address a talent gap.

n A short video on the impact of the apprenticeship program: https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/video/professional-apprenticeships-are-making-an-impact

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· How Bonner first heard about the finance apprenticeship program.

· Why he considered his interview process with Liberty Bank to be unique.

· An explanation of the departmental rotation program at Liberty Bank.

· Why Bonner says “everyone can’t be coached the same.”