Why did you choose accounting for your career? Why ACCA?

I hadn’t ever intended to become an accountant, but I did work experience in an accountancy practice in Limerick, and they asked me to stay on as a full-time employee. I chose ACCA because it allowed me to take the exams.

What field of work or study were you in before you started your ACCA exams?

I’ve had quite a varied career. I studied Fine Art Printmaking in Limerick School of Art & Design, but had to drop out of the course after having my eldest child. I went on to work in accounting practice in Limerick for a number of years and got my Accounting Technician qualification, but I then gave up on accountancy because I stopped enjoying the work. I had a brief career performing stand-up comedy in Ireland and the UK, and then got married and moved to Sligo and started working in admin roles. I realised I had a lot of regrets over not getting my accounting qualification, so I applied for a position in an accounting firm in Sligo and they encouraged me to pursue my ACCA exams with them.

Why did you choose Accountancy School?

When deciding where to study, I looked at the ACCA’s list of Platinum approved providers. I saw that Accountancy School had produced a huge number of prize-winning students and that they offered the option to study online. As I’m currently living in Sligo, online classes were an absolute necessity, so Accountancy School was ideal. The number of prize winners they have taught was also a testament to the quality of the lecturers they have.

What advice would you give to someone starting their ACCA journey?

There is so much to learn and it can be quite overwhelming at times. The most important thing is to review your answers to questions thoroughly because that is the only way to learn from mistakes. I wrote up notes on areas where I had missed something or made a mistake in mock exams or practice questions, and that has been hugely beneficial all through my ACCA journey.

What is your career goal after gaining your ACCA qualification?

I haven’t decided, as yet, what my next step will be. I am considering various paths and I’m trying to find the right fit that will allow me to learn new things and face new challenges.

From left to right:
Michael Donnelly, Accountancy Lecturer
Ronnie Patton, ACCA Global President
Lorna Forde, Prize winner
Cathal Cusack, ACCA Global Council Member