Austin Mellor ACCA

Company: Mitchell Meredith 

Job title: Corporate Manager

What journey have you taken to find yourself with a career in ACCA?

I studied Accounting and Finance at Coventry University, following University I was working at Lloyds Blackhorse Finance call centre in Cardiff. My mum called me about a job closer to home with Mitchell Meredith. At this point I was certain that a career in Accountancy was the direction I wanted to take, I sent in my C.V. and was invited for an interview. When I received the call so say I had the job I was very shocked but kept very quiet…on reflection taking the call a few beers in, on a lads weekend in Butlins, was probably not my wisest decision.

Did you always want to be an Accountant?

No, the dream was always, (and still is), to be a Professional footballer. However, now I have completed my qualification in Accountancy I will settle for the other childhood hobby I had, which was counting money. I always remember thinking…. “Wouldn’t it be great if I could get paid for counting other people’s money”. Of course now I realise Accountancy is nothing like the six year old me imagined…..it is far more complex, and far more enjoyable.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My dad. He is the hardest working person I know. He always pushes me to ensure I give 100% to anything I try my hand at.

How did it feel when you saw your final pass?

(Unable to hide his broad smile), So happy, it was such a massive relief to know that I no longer have to sacrifice time with my family to revise and find time to prepare for exams.

Who was the first person you told?

My wife Lydia.

What was the hardest exam?

Strategic Business Reporting by far, it took me four attempts!!!

Did you ever consider giving up?

(the smile now hidden, replaced with a very serious face) Yes without a doubt. When I failed SBR for the third time, I almost gave up…..(with the smile creeping back, and a small eye roll)…It was twelve months before I felt able to try and sit it again!!

What stopped you from giving up?

My amazing wife, and then the arrival of my beautiful daughter, she was my motivation for my final three exams.

What is your top tip for not giving up?

Practice, practice and more question practice. In the exam I realised the importance of timing. I soon realised the impact of running out of time, and leaving questions unanswered. Previously I found I would spend too much time trying to give a perfect answer for the first question. Inevitably I ran out of time, and I realised I would have been better attempting all of the questions within the allocated time, rather than allowing too much time to be spent on one area. In my last exam I had managed to answer all of the questions, this made me feel more confident had completed enough to secure a pass.

What did you do to manage your stress during your studies?

I love playing football. No matter how stressed I am, everything is forgotten when I am on the field.

Would you recommend a career in Accountancy to a school leaver?

Yes, its hard work but definitely worth it. Sometimes it can be a stressful role but it is worth it.

So, now you have passed, how are you going to celebrate?

Lots and lots of time with family and friends, Lydia has a party planned with them all, lots of food, drink and laughter…without the guilt that I should be revising.

What is next, more exams?

I haven’t thought about it much. Right now, all I want to do, is enjoy knowing that I have achieved the target I set myself, and I can enjoy guilt free time with my wife and daughter. Maybe sometime in the future I will think about further study….But for now I can confidently say NEVER!!!!

Knowing what you know now, would you do it all again?

Yes, definitely, it was all worth the stress and sleepless nights.