Katy Sutherland ACCA

Company: Innovate UK (Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge)

Job title: Impact & Performance Manager

Favourite food: I love Italian food – the more carbs the better!

Who or what inspires you:

Possibility.

Perhaps not the most conventional answer, but it's true.

If something is possible, then it's achievable! My personal, and work, goals derive from opportunities that I have identified as achievable in the first instance. The inspiration is simply knowing it is possible.

What was your study route?

I left school in 2008 and started working as an Account’s Assistant with an independent Chartered Accountancy practice in my hometown of Inverness.

I undertook and completed the AAT qualification in 2010 before becoming an Accountancy student at Edinburgh Napier University in 2011 (direct entry into 2nd year with my AAT qualification).

In 2014 I graduated with a First Class (Hons) degree and received both the Elizabeth Howie Memorial Prize for highest marked hons dissertation in the Business School 2014, and Prize winner of the John MacAndrew Memorial Quaich for the highest marked hon dissertation in the accountancy faculty 2014.

In 2015 I decided to undertake the ACCA qualification and funded this journey myself. I had originally hoped to complete the ACCA qualification within 2 years, but sadly in 2017 my mum passed away and my studies went firmly on hold. I eventually returned to study in 2020 and sat my final exam sitting in December 2020.

On January 21st, 2021 I was admitted as a full ACCA member.

What do you do in your spare time (if you have any!)?

I have miniature dachshund called Norman. He keeps me very busy!

Perfect job:

That's a hard one. Is there really such a thing?

I like to think I have taken "something" away from each role I have undertaken. I don't think we ever stop learning about ourselves in the same way our skills continue to evolve. I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as the "perfect career path", if you work hard you will get to where you are meant to be in the end.

Career aspirations:

As much as I love number crunching, I really enjoy working with others. I aspire to progress into further senior roles and ultimately be in a position where I have an opportunity to share my knowledge with the next generation.

Childhood dream job:

A part time vet/ teacher and weather lady - I always did like to set those limits high!

Favourite holiday destination or holiday type:

I do love New York. I have been fortunate to see the city in different seasons and it is just a lovely in each. In fact, my friend Iqraa and I said when we passed our ACCA exams we were going to plan a NYC trip. Iqraa and I graduated together at uni and we both passed our final ACCA exam in the same sitting.

Biggest support throughout your studies and career:

My mum was my number one fan. She had faith in my ability even when I didn’t. It is sad that she couldn’t see me become an ACCA member, but I think secretly she knew. I have a special bottle of champagne she gave me to open when I passed my final exam – it is sitting waiting for me in Inverness and once I am able to get up to Inverness it will be popped!

Advice for students going through the exams:

It is not supposed to be easy, but it is possible. Keep at it, find a study method that suits you and do those pass papers! It is worth it when you get that final exam pass text message- trust me!

What is the best thing about being an ACCA member?

It has only been a matter of weeks, but I can already see I am joining a community of professionals who support one another.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I was given 6 ewe sheep for my 27th birthday. A first-time farmer - it was a steep learning curve! I absolutely loved every minute of it and welcomed my first lambs in spring 2018. There was something special about welcoming new life into the world – perhaps my dream job is a midwife?