Does the Chartered Accountancy qualification offer security as a career?

Absolutely! And this has definitely become more apparent during the pandemic. At a time when sadly a lot of businesses faced hardships and so many people lost their jobs, I was fortunate enough not to feel my job security threatened. During this whole period, everyone had to adapt swiftly to ever changing circumstances and find different ways to mitigate the damage. The road to obtaining my qualification and the skills gained along the way definitely helped me be ahead of the game and try to find solutions to challenges as they arose. That, as well as the support of a wonderful team in work, have helped immensely.

Have you discovered flexibility in your career options as a Chartered Accountant?

Yes. My current role requires a good understanding of how different departments within the company work and I was able to see first hand how having exposure to accountancy plays a huge role in other areas such as Marketing, procurement, etc. and how easily the set of skills I have can be transferred to other roles and industries.

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

COVID-19 has really been a game of predicting the unpredictable. Making educated guesses. Changing and adapting strategies as you go along. Trial and error. I learnt so many things during this past year and was fortunate enough to have a fantastic mentor who has guided me and taught me how to take a step back and look at the bigger picture when I felt I hit a dead end.

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

When I started CAP1, my daughter was 2 months shy of turning 1. It was tough and demanding and it meant my academic and professional life required quite a high degree of flexibility. As a Flexible Route student, I had the option of not going to class lectures and watching the recordings at a time that suited me better. That was priceless as it meant I could still be a mother, have a job and work towards my qualification. It was not easy but well worth it and possible due to the flexibility of the programme.

Tell us about your academic background?

I did my Bachelor’s in Finance and Banking as well as International Studies before moving to Ireland. While that was a great start, it was not enough to secure a good job here and build a career. Which is when I decided to go down the ACA route. And that was a game changer from the very start.

Why accountancy?

I suppose I always had a knack for numbers, which is why I chose Finance and Banking in the first place. But also realised quite early that accountancy could also be a portal to different career routes if I ever chose to try something new. Whichever way I looked at it, it was a win-win situation as I was doing something I liked and I still can’t think of a scenario where my accountancy qualification would not help.

Why Chartered Accountants Ireland?

After I decided I wanted to pursue an accountancy qualification, it was a matter of deciding which accountancy body I wanted to be a member of. So I did some research and at the time Big 4 companies were going with Chartered Accountants Ireland for their trainees. That and the fact that the qualification was recognised internationally made it a no brainer. I mean, they’re the Big 4. They must be onto something! 

What are the advantages to working and studying?

The biggest advantage as I see it is getting to put into practice the knowledge acquired by studying. That way, it’s not just concepts and empty words, but you actually get to see their real life applicability. As a Flexible Route student, you also get a bonus at the end of the road, as technically you have at least 3 years of industry experience under your belt when you qualify.

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

In recent years, I’ve worked for a holiday rental agency doing a bit of everything including basic bookkeeping. That was my starting point. I then moved on to working as an Accounts Assistant in an Events Management company and am currently a Financial Accountant with a retail company. 

Describe a typical day for you?

Impossible! One of the reasons I love my job is that no two days are the same. I obviously look after month end processes which are routine, but on top of that a lot of my work is ad-hoc and involves liaising with colleagues from various departments and working on joint projects, as well as being proactive and having solo projects and finding ways to bring added value to my role. 

How was combining work and study?

Challenging and rewarding at the same time. There were times when I felt overwhelmed and it took a lot of effort to not lose sight of the finish line and remind myself that it’s only a matter of time until things get easier and that it will be worth it in the end. I also had a great support system, from my husband who was more than understanding, patient and helpful, to my work colleagues who have been so very supportive and made going to work a pleasure.

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

I can’t personally think of any situation where having a good business acumen and understanding of finance would be to anyone's detriment. The world revolves around numbers so regardless of the role or industry, there’s no escaping them. Even if we’re only talking about personal finance! It’s something you use every day. A lot of people don’t understand how their own taxes work. Or what an APR on a loan is. Or how mortgages work. What reliefs or grants they’re entitled to when starting a business. I mean you can obviously get someone else to do it for you, but they’re just a few examples of situations where one could benefit from this qualification. 

What success are you looking for?

Right now, the idea of success to me is synonymous with having enough time to spend with my family, being financially secure, living life comfortably and continuing loving what I do.

What are your future goals?

Finding a good work-life balance. Broaden my professional horizon by learning new skills. 

Do you think Chartered Accountants can play a role in shaping a positive future for business and community?

I think it was last year that the course went through a revamp phase where new topics were brought into the curriculum. Current hot topics such as AI, big data, etc. It’s fantastic to see this being taught to students who are tomorrow’s accountants as that means they’ll be equipped with the right set of skills for this fast paced, ever changing world. Technology needs to be leveraged appropriately to be able to create better, faster, more accurate results. Work smart, not hard.

Do you think Chartered Accountants have a role to play in making businesses more sustainable?

Yes. By training students to actively think outside of the box and equip them with the skills to deal with situations as they arise, whether they’ve encountered them before or not. If anything, this past year was a good reminder that you simply cannot be prepared for everything at all times. You know what they say: ‘Give a man a fish, you feed him for one day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime’.

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

While Flexible Route seems to be the road less travelled to an ACA qualification, it definitely offers you more flexibility on how to get there. From deciding whether you want to attend a class lecture or watch the recording online, both options are available to you without any hassle. Changing roles as you progress through the programme is also easy, as there are no Training Contracts involved. You have 8 years from the moment you start to obtain your qualification so you get a chance to do things at your own pace too. The lectures and materials made available to you are the same whether you go down the Flexible Route or a Training Contract, so it’s really a matter of which route better complements your lifestyle and circumstances.

Would you recommend the Flexible Route to others? Why?

Based on my personal experience, I definitely would. The Flexible Route better suited my circumstances, as a Training Contract was not a feasible option at the time. I needed the flexibility of lecture attendance, changing roles, working hours and salary. It worked out great for me as 4 months into CAP1, I managed to change jobs and secure a higher pay. I went on to change roles once again 5 months into FAE to something that was more challenging and more compatible with what I was looking for career wise. All these changes were made seamlessly with a minimum of admin work, which was changing mentors.

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

Hang in there! I know it’s sometimes hard not having that long paid study leave and you might feel alone, but you’re not. There is a whole network of people that you can turn to! From fellow students to Institute support teams dedicated to Flexible Route students that can offer advice, help and encouragement along the way. All you need to do is reach out. I promise all the long nights and countless papers spread on the floor all around you will be so.