• Current students
      • Student centre
        Enrol on a course/exam
        My enrolments
        Exam results
        Mock exams
        Learning Hub data privacy policy
      • Course information
        Students FAQs
        Student induction
        Course enrolment information
        F2f student events
        Key dates
        Book distribution
        Timetables
        FAE elective information
      • Exams
        Exam Info: CAP1
        E-assessment information
        Exam info: CAP2
        Exam info: FAE
        Access support/reasonable accommodation
        Extenuating circumstances
        Timetables for exams & interim assessments
        Interim assessments past papers & E-Assessment mock solutions
        Committee reports & sample papers
        Information and appeals scheme
        JIEB: NI Insolvency Qualification
      • CA Diary resources
        Mentors: Getting started on the CA Diary
        CA Diary for Flexible Route FAQs
      • Admission to membership
        Joining as a reciprocal member
        Conferring dates
        Admissions FAQs
      • Support & services
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contracts
        CASSI
        Student supports and wellbeing
        Audit qualification
        Diversity and Inclusion Committee
    • Students

      View all the services available for students of the Institute

      Read More
  • Becoming a student
      • About Chartered Accountancy
        The Chartered difference
        What do Chartered Accountants do?
        5 Reasons to become a Chartered Accountant
        Student benefits
        School Bootcamp
        Third Level Hub
        Study in Northern Ireland
        Events
        Blogs
        Member testimonials 2022
        Become a Chartered Accountant podcast series
      • Entry routes
        College
        Working
        Accounting Technicians
        School leavers
        Member of another body
        International student
        Flexible Route
        Training Contract
      • Course description
        CAP1
        CAP2
        FAE
        Our education offering
      • Apply
        How to apply
        Exemptions guide
        Fees & payment options
        External students
      • Training vacancies
        Training vacancies search
        Training firms list
        Large training firms
        Milkround
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contract
        Interview preparation and advice
        The rewards on qualification
        Tailoring your CV for each application
        Securing a trainee Chartered Accountant role
      • Support & services
        Becoming a student FAQs
        Who to contact for employers
        Register for a school visit
    • Becoming a
      student

      Study with us

      Read More

      Becoming a
      student

      Study with us

      Read More
  • Members
      • Members Hub
        My account
        Member subscriptions
        Annual returns
        Application forms
        CPD/events
        Member services A-Z
        District societies
        Professional Standards
        Young Professionals
        Careers development
        Diversity and Inclusion Committee
      • Members in practice
        Going into practice
        Managing your practice FAQs
        Practice compliance FAQs
        Toolkits and resources
        Audit FAQs
        Other client services
        Practice Consulting services
        What's new
      • In business
        Networking and special interest groups
        Articles
      • Overseas members
        Home
        Key supports
        Tax for returning Irish members
        Networks and people
      • Public sector
        Public sector news
        Public sector presentations
      • Member benefits
        Member benefits
      • Support & services
        Letters of good standing form
        Member FAQs
        AML confidential disclosure form
        Institute Technical content
        TaxSource Total
        The Educational Requirements for the Audit Qualification
        Pocket diaries
        Thrive Hub
    • Members

      View member services

      Read More
  • Employers
      • Training organisations
        Authorise to train
        Training in business
        Manage my students
        Incentive Scheme
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contracts
        Securing and retaining the best talent
        Tips on writing a job specification
      • Training
        In-house training
        Training tickets
      • Recruitment services
        Hire a qualified Chartered Accountant
        Hire a trainee student
      • Non executive directors recruitment service
      • Support & services
        Hire members: log a job vacancy
        Firm/employers FAQs
        Training ticket FAQs
        Authorisations
        Hire a room
        Who to contact for employers
    • Employers

      Services to support your business

      Read More
☰
  • Find a firm
  • Jobs
  • Login
☰
  • Home
  • Knowledge centre
  • Professional development
  • About us
  • Shop
  • News
Search
View Cart 0 Item

Becoming a student

☰
  • About Chartered Accountancy
  • Entry routes
  • Course description
  • Apply
  • Training vacancies
  • Support & services
  • Home/
  • Becoming a student/
  • About Chartered Accountancy/
  • Testimonials of Flexible route/
  • Marta Saltarska testimonial bio

Marta Saltarska, Irish Cancer Society

Gen BODY - Marta Saltarska-min

Does the Chartered Accountancy qualification offer security as a career?

The Covid-19 pandemic has been a testing time for all. Luckily, I managed to keep my job and I have been working full time throughout the lockdown. The reason for that, I believe, is the industry I am in (charity sector), the nature and size of the organization I work for and the role I have within the organisation (Financial Accountant), the global nature of the pandemic, the feeling that it is temporary and any sudden actions (i.e. shedding majority of workforce) are not desirable, and a bit of “luck”.

Have you discovered flexibility in your career options as a Chartered Accountant? Do you feel you could move industry or country easily?

Having trained in an accountancy firm, I smoothly moved to a finance role within the charity sector. Flexibility in career options was a reason why I decided to become a Chartered Accountant back in 2012. The recession of the previous few years made me realise how important it is to have a profession that can easily be transferred to a different industry or even country. A number of my friends who worked as Chartered Accountants in Ireland successfully moved to finance roles in my home country, Poland.

How have your strategic skills as a Chartered Accountant been of benefit to you and your company, during recent times?

My role within the Irish Cancer Society as a Financial Accountant involves providing support to the Head of Finance, who makes strategic decisions. During recent times quick changes to processes and procedures were required to enable working from home without impeding on the great work the Society does. It was paramount to try to foresee potential issues before they arose and mitigate against them.

Can you share your thoughts on how flexibility to study from work or home could prove a real advantage?

Technology is fantastic. It has enabled workplaces which never even contemplated their employees working from home to transition to working from home full time. Studying online has a myriad of advantages, including cutting down on commuting time / pollution, more time for healthier living and well deserved rest, and flexibility to study in one’s own time.

Tell us about your academic background?

BA in English Philology, 2004, Poland

Why accountancy? 

It’s a qualification one can bring anywhere and use in any country.

Why Chartered Accountants Ireland?

I worked close to the CA House and got drawn in for an open evening one day after work. I decided to give it a go.

Can you explain the Flexible Route to someone who doesn't know what it is?

Allows you to do exams and gather required experience at your own pace.   

Where have you worked and what kind of roles have you been in?

I worked as an office manager at an engineering practice for 9 years, then for 1 year as Trainee Auditor at Comptroller and Auditor General. I then completed my training at Walsh O’Brien Harnett accountancy firm where I got to Audit Associate role and now I am a Financial Accountant at the Irish Cancer Society. 

Describe a typical day for you? 

Ensuring accounting records are accurate, liaising with senior management team, working on ad hoc projects, and feeling I’m doing something worthwhile. 

Is it flexible?

Yes, I am in a working environment which encourages work life balance. 

Can you see how someone who is not an accountant might benefit from this qualification?

I was not an accountant until I became one. The career path starts from an accounting job but may end up somewhere else.

Would you recommend the Flexible Route to others? Why?

Yes, I was my own master and did not have to endure additional pressure to pass exams to, in some cases, keep a job. It allows you to “try” it while keeping the existing job. 

What advice would you give someone who is considering the Flexible Route?

Be prepared for hard work but don’t forget to have fun, it’s a matter of good organization. 

What success are you looking for?

I’m looking for a balanced life, with a satisfying job that does not infringe on my private life. I’ve always wanted to work for a charity and that dream has come through. Not least thanks to the qualifications I obtained.

What are your future goals?

Become better and better at my job to benefit the organization I work for. 


Back to Testimonials
Find out more about the course

The latest news to your inbox

Useful links

  • Current students
  • Becoming a student
  • Knowledge centre
  • Shop
  • District societies

Get in touch

Dublin HQ

Chartered Accountants
House, 47-49 Pearse St,
Dublin 2, D02 YN40, Ireland

TEL: +353 1 637 7200
Belfast HQ

The Linenhall
32-38 Linenhall Street, Belfast,
Antrim, BT2 8BG, United Kingdom

TEL: +44 28 9043 5840

Connect with us

Something wrong?

Is the website not looking right/working right for you?
Browser support
CAW Footer Logo-min
GAA Footer Logo-min
CCAB-I Footer Logo-min
ABN_Logo-min

© Copyright Chartered Accountants Ireland 2020. All Rights Reserved.

☰
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy statement
  • Event privacy notice
  • Sitemap
LOADING...

Please wait while the page loads.