Education: University of Strathclyde - Accounting and Finance - Graduated 2019 with First Class Honours
Role: Audit Supervisor at Consilium Chartered Accountants
Top Tip: "Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your mentor - they are there to support and advise you, so don't hold back."
It was the opportunity to study Higher Accounting at school that helped me realise that this was the career path I wanted to follow. Achieving good grades in this subject encouraged me to pursue accountancy at higher education. I was determined to achieve a place at a top-performing university in Glasgow. By choosing the University of Strathclyde, it offered exposure to a wide variety of business subjects and course options. Adapting to university was a challenge at first; although it was something I began to love through meeting new friends and studying a subject I had a genuine interest in.
I was informed of the ICAS Foundation by my school guidance teacher who had noticed I had an interest in accounting. I immediately saw how it could help me and offer immense value. The mentoring programme was so important at university – it gave me access to a Chartered Accountant with a wealth of experience. Right from the start, we discussed next steps after university and how I could achieve this. By receiving advice from people who had followed the same path as myself, it helped build my confidence throughout university and focus on post-university life.
I knew that attending university would be challenging financially – receiving a bursary from the Foundation helped pay for my travel to university and university textbooks which were expensive. Having this financial support allowed me to reduce my part-time job working hours during the week, whilst focusing on studying throughout the week and overall maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Although it was difficult, having this routine definitely helped when I began my ICAS training and was working full-time whilst studying in the evenings for my accountancy exams.
When applying for graduate roles, I undertook a lot of research to ensure that I was applying to employers where I would gain the right experience and that would be of most benefit to me. I quickly realised that Consilium Chartered Accountants was somewhere I would enjoy working and was delighted when they offered me a graduate CA training contract working within the audit department.
Having qualified as an ICAS Chartered Accountant after three long years of exams, my focus now is on gaining as much experience as possible in accountancy practice. I am thoroughly enjoying my time working at Consilium specifically due to the variety of opportunities available, supportive culture and flexible working arrangements.
The ICAS Foundation allowed me to fulfil my potential whilst at university by providing both financial and non-financial support. It contributed massively to me becoming a Chartered Accountant by helping me meet professionals who helped shape my career path. The Foundation’s support has been invaluable and it’s great seeing the positive impact the Foundation continues on young students.
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