TWO trainee accountants with Southampton-based business advisors Horwath Warner Marsh have been awarded top marks by the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Both Beth Thornton, 26, from Lords-wood, Southampton, and Catherine Brook, 22, from Portswood, Southampton, joined Horwath Warner Marsh in September 1998 and have completed the first stage to qualify as char-tered accoun-tants.

Catherine achieved the highest mark in the South for the financial decision paper while Beth came third in the country in the financial accounting exam.

Partner with Horwath Warner Marsh, Guy Robinson said: "We're absolutely delighted with both Beth and Catherine's performance. Neither comes from an accountancy background but they have worked diligently and we're very proud of them.''

Beth, who studied music at Leeds University before moving back to Southampton last year, attributes her success to having varied work experience. She said: "The great thing with a firm like Horwath Warner Marsh is that it specialises in family and owner man-aged businesses."

Formerly a student of English at Southampton University, Catherine added: "With some very large firms you might find yourself stuck on audits for months on end. Here our work is much more varied and the team has been very supportive with our studying.''

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