Read about some ACCA members who decided to start their careers straight out of school rather than going to university.
How did you decide on a career in accounting?
After taking A-level accounting I knew I wanted a career in finance so thought the natural route would be getting a university degree. I was successful in applying for University; however I had also been offered a school leaver position at Grant Thornton. The real pull for me doing an apprenticeship was the ability to qualify by the time I turned 21 and to be 3 years ahead of my peers in my career. I also really liked the prospect of earning money whilst studying.
I now work at Avon as a Finance Manager. The people at Avon are great; I work with such a large pool of talent who are all passionate about our business which makes it really inspiring and motivating. There are also so many opportunities at Avon, due to being part of a large international business listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
What achievement are you most proud of?
I am currently the youngest Finance Manager in UK Finance by 5 years, and it’s something that I’m really proud of! I don’t have a degree and that hasn’t held me back at all - employers care more about my experience to date and that I am ACCA qualified than whether I went to University.
What do you see as the key benefits of apprenticeships vs. university?
I think one of the greatest benefits of joining a company as an apprentice instead of going to university is the experience you get. A lot of companies want previous experience and students leaving university won’t have that. It also allows you to start networking earlier and to build up a reputation within the company whilst people your own age are still studying at university.
What advice would you give to school leavers when evaluating different career pathways?
I would always tell people to do whatever feels right for them. Don’t follow your friends to university or just do what is usually expected of you. Go out and research all the different opportunities out there, ask questions and follow your own path, wherever you see that heading.
Why did you choose accounting?
From a young age I noticed that I had a good grasp of logic and numbers, and I chose maths and sciences at A-level, so accountancy naturally made sense. I've always had a strong interest in business and the thought of working for a large professional services firm appealed to me.
When I first thought about becoming an accountant, a number of stereotypes came into my head. However, my career has far exceeded my expectations. A career in accountancy will not only develop you professionally, but will also enhance your life and communication skills. The ACCA qualification was the catalyst that allowed me to progress within my career. I find it extremely rewarding to have people come to you for help because you are an expert at something.
How has the ACCA Qualification supported and benefitted your career to date?
The ACCA qualification has benefitted my career hugely. It has enabled me to be recognised as achieving a professional, highly regarded qualification, not only by my firm but also by the clients I act for.
Staying within the practice sector is currently my long-term career plan, and having an ACCA qualification is beneficial for that. It opens more doors and would allow me to work in other departments such as commercial audit, should I want to.
Longer term, I would like to progress within Grant Thornton and work my way up to associate director and beyond. In order to achieve these goals I have a mentor at Grant Thornton and am on the lookout for an external coach to help me with my goals.