Does the Chartered Accountancy qualification offer security as a career?

I think there is a huge demand for accountants within the job market, with a wide range of careers. In addition to this, even if you’re not going for typical ‘accountant’ roles, the skillset the Chartered Accountancy qualification teaches, gives you an advantage in any role. 

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

The Institute is recognised in the local job market here in Ireland and across the globe. The skills you gain such as time management, problem solving, and communication are in demand in every sector. 

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

I think during exam preparation, you need to be adaptable to the question and the scenario and I think having practice in this adaptability was important at the beginning of Covid, when we had to completely change the way we worked. In addition to this, I think problem solving skills are essential as we changed how we audited our clients. Also, increasing focus on sustainability issues during FAE year, makes me feel able to help my organisation become more future proof. 

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

I began my Chartered Accountancy qualification journey in September 2019 so it wasn’t long until we were all working and studying from home. Time saved from not commuting is definitely an advantage, while it can be challenging shifting from a work day to a study day, I think its’s overall an advantage in the time saved. 

Tell us about your academic background?

I completed my A-Levels in Politics, History and Business Studies, and I graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with First Class Honours in 2018.  

Why accountancy?

I went for accountancy because I think finance and working with numbers was an area of my education and experience I had somewhat neglected in my school and university years. As someone who always had a keen interest in public policy, I really wanted a greater understanding of finances in the public sector, so when I found a trainee accountant programme with the NI Audit Office, I seized the opportunity.  

Why Chartered Accountants Ireland?

At a time when more and more people are going to university, it’s increasingly hard to set yourself apart and it feels like everyone has a bachelor’s degree. Chartered Accountants Ireland gave me the opportunity to achieve an internationally recognised qualification without taking on more student loans.  

What are the advantages to working and studying?

 For me, one of the key advantages is that you are surrounded be people going through the same thing, I don’t think that support system can be underestimated. Learning at home and being able to put it into practice the next day at work is something you don’t get in every profession.

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

When I left university I had just been elected Vice-President for Welfare for my Students’ Union. In that role I worked on areas around mental health, consent and free period products. I have also worked for a charity supporting families in crisis and young people in long term unemployment. Some people can be confused as to how I went from these roles to accountancy, but I think we need advocates for mental health and consent in all types of professions. 

I am currently a trainee accountant with the NI Audit Office. I couldn’t have imagined having the opportunity to work with such big clients this early in my career, and yet my Chartered journey has given me the chance to audit one of the biggest government departments in Northern Ireland.  This has given me the chance to meet new people and do work that I feel really makes a difference. In my time spent working on Covid related business grants to help Northern Irish businesses recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, I know I contributed to ensuring public money was spent properly. 

Describe a typical day for you?

I usually get up around 7am/7.30 am to start work between 7.30am and 8am. My workplace offers flexible working hours so I like to start early so I can finish earlier. Once I have my coffee, I’ll clear any emails I’ve received from the day before, then I make a to-do list to keep me focused on my priorities. I try go for a walk at lunch time, and after that I’ll continue working through my to-do list, and at the end of the day I’ll chase up any outstanding queries. I usually finish between 4pm and 4.30pm and I’ll make an early dinner and start studying around 6.00 for about two hours. I’m currently training for a half marathon so I try get out for a run and be home in time to catch up on Love Island! 

How was combining work and study?

It can be difficult to combine the two, and I think compartmentalising is key. If you’re working from home, I think you should try work and study somewhere else to aid with the separation. 

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

I think being able to read the story of a set of Financial Statements can be essential in jobs roles which are explicitly accountancy driven. In a competitive job market, it helps set you apart.