Wales is home to the youngest accountant in the world.

Wales is home to the youngest accountant in the world.

Grace Bayton, 20, from Llanhilleth, has been confirmed by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants as being the youngest person to fully qualify and work in the world of accounting.

“It hasn’t quite sunk in that at the age of 20 I’m the youngest accountant in the world.” Said Grace, “When I started out at 17 on a Welsh government apprenticeship as a finance assistant I never thought I’d be chartered by 20.”

It’s an extraordinary achievement, with many chartered accountants taking over five years to qualify. And Grace has a firm message for other young people.

“I’m hoping that I’ll be able to show other young people that there are alternative career paths you can take without going to university and by completing an apprenticeship instead.”