I also took an interest in the firm’s business activity, being that of Chartered Accountants.  Needless to say, when an opportunity for a Trainee Accountant came up I jumped at the chance, and 10 months after starting with the firm, I began a new path that would ultimately lead me to where I am today.

At the time of starting as a Trainee Accountant, I had no higher education qualifications, and it was thought best to continue with the work placement scheme in order to take my AAT Qualification.  I continued to study at Wigan & Leigh College, swapping from day release to evening classes.  The qualification is the equivalent of NVQ Level 2 to 4 Accountancy. Three years later I passed my final AAT exams and obtained the full qualification which gave me the taste for taking my studies further.

At this point I considered the professional exam options available to me, being ACA (Association of Chartered Accountants) and ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).  I chose the ACCA route.  The firm’s preferred study method was and still is, to study for all qualifications using a specialist college.  In my case, this was Kaplan in Manchester.  At the time I recall feeling quite daunted at the prospect of this; however, I needn’t have worried.  The college provided hands-on tutoring on a block release basis whereby the firm allowed me block days to attend college as part of a Study Package. Three years later I passed my final ACCA exams and became the firm’s youngest ACCA qualified accountant. 

While studying for my professional exams, I was also working through the ranks within the firm and at the time I qualified I was an Accounts Senior directly assisting an Accounts Manager.

After twelve months, an opportunity for me to take responsibility for my own portfolio of clients arose and I was promoted to Assistant Manager.   I enjoyed the added responsibility that this brought and I was delighted, at the age of 25, to be quickly promoted to Accounts Manager as we now call it.

After 10 years as an Accounts Manager, I was offered the opportunity to lead our Digital Strategy and develop our Digital Services.  This was a very exciting opportunity that required me to be heavily involved in developing new skills and delivering training to the whole firm and I feel my experience puts me in a great position to help and support them.  I thoroughly enjoy being part of my team’s individual success stories, like my predecessors before me. 

I feel that I have been incredibly lucky in the career path that I have chosen which stems from the decisions I made early in my career, and of course the hard work which I have put in.