Two accountancy professionals are celebrating exam successes.

Accountant Joanne Royale, 22, and chartered tax adviser James Fraser, 27, of Cleckheaton firm Clough & Company have completed examinations with studies funded by the firm.

Joanne has gained her Association of Taxation Technicians qualification, and will now study to become a chartered accountant.

James has qualified as a chartered tax adviser after studying in his spare time.

Steven Gash, practice chairman, said: “Many employers are putting training on the back burner because of the impact of the recession.

“However, we firmly believe that our staff are our best asset, so by ensuring they are best they can be, we have a competitive advantage and are best placed to weather the recession better than our competitors.”