Burton accountant uses film role to help next generation

Serious Waste Management’s accountant, Steve Edwards, is featuring in a series of educational training videos to inspire school leavers –and he is using his experience as a soldier in Africa to help him.

A fellow member of the Association of Certified Accountants. Steve, who works at the Burton on Trent headquarters of the waste company, is hoping he can encourage students to join the professional body that has 178,000 members and 455,000 student members by taking part in a video that will be available for all students interested in accountancy.

Steve, who used to live in Africa, was called up to do military service while he was there. He now wants to use that experience to help students prepare for the world of work and has some timely advice he wants to include in the video material, which is being currently prepared for release.

“Joining a professional organisation is essential,” Steve said, “but I also want to stress to these youngsters that they need to be as multi-disciplined as they can so that they have options as they go through life. When I was a soldier fighting in Zimbabwe, I had to think on my feet and those skills are invaluable in industry today. ”

Steve, who has never starred in a film before spent a day on location with a video production company.

“It was great fun,” he said, “but it is a complex process and it was fascinating to see how videos are made.”

Steve used his extensive experience with Serious Waste Management’s data systems, time sheets, disposal records and strategies for growth to help him explain how accountancy can be a key tool in planning a business’s development.

Graham Sparkes, Managing Director of Serious Waste Management said: “Steve gets involved in trying to help the next generation completely voluntarily. As a company, we are keen to look ahead to the next generation and see where our experience can help…we also look forward to seeing Steve on the red carpet!”