One of our trainee accountants has been recognised as one of the best in the world, after finishing 11th in the 2013 ACA international accountancy exams.

25-year-old, Mark Johnstone, who is training at Thomas Westcott Chartered Accountants in Exeter, was invited to a prestigious ceremony last month in Moorgate, in the heart of London’s financial district, where he and 11 other trainees from all over the world came to receive their awards.

All trainee accountants have to pass the Associate (ACA) examinations of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales which then grants access to the professional accountancy body the ICAEW.

Mark, who lives in Exeter, said he was very proud to attend the ceremony and: “I was honored that Richard Thomas, the firm’s Chairman, came along to support me. It was a memorable day and fantastic for my work to be recognised. My parents and fiancee also came along to support me.”

Mark is now studying for his final exams, which will be sitting at the end of July, after which he will be a fully qualified chartered accountant.

Thomas Westcott Chairman, Richard Thomas, said: “With over three thousand candidates internationally Mark’s outstanding achievement is a testament to his ability and to the diligent and dedicated way that he has approached his studies.”

Mark, who grew up in Brighton and studied at the University of Exeter, said he was delighted when he got the message in January that he had made it into the top 11: “Thomas Westcott have been so supportive with my training; they push me to do my best, but not to hard and I have been given a variety of different tasks and find the work hugely interesting.”