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

My original background is in philosophy, particularly in ethics. The profession of accountancy places a strong emphasis on integrity and accountability, which I was drawn to as a practical application of ethical principles. In particular, I was drawn to accountancy in the public sector. I became interested in audit work as it provides one the opportunity to work with a variety of diverse clients and to be exposed to a wide range of areas, allowing me to constantly learn new things. I chose ACCA for several reasons. The flexibility in being able to attempt exams at my own pace was a major factor. This provides a continuous sense of progress as I work through exams and gain more confidence and expertise in accountancy. Coming from a non-finance background, this was a great help to me in quickly acquiring the skills I need in my career. The ACCA qualification is internationally recognised and provides an ideal foundation for a career in accountancy. The broad range of the curriculum has been a great chance to experience many aspects of the profession.

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

My previous academic and working background was in philosophy. I studied Philosophy at Trinity College Dublin where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and a Masters of Philosophy. Following this, I had the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant at Trinity and at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, where I continued my postgraduate studies.

Why did you choose Accountancy School?

I chose AccountancySchool because of the excellent reputation of the lecturers and the efficient online delivery of the course. Having studied with Accountancy School for several exams, I have had the opportunity to receive tuition from an incredibly talented team of lecturers. The option of online learning with live classrooms allows me to keep up with lectures and catch up at my own pace whenever I am unable to do this. The live environment allows for interaction and real time feedback from the lecturers. The plentiful feedback I have received from my lecturers has been critical to my exam success, allowing me to get a sense of what the examiners are looking for and tailor my studies directly to the exams.

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

In particular, to someone like myself who is starting without a prior grounding in accountancy, my advice would be to jump straight into the exams without hesitation, as it has helped me build confidence and develop an understanding of accounting that has been critical in my work. The sense of achievement as you pass through the earlier exams provides a great source of motivation to work through the qualification. The structure of the ACCA qualification, having the Applied Knowledge exams as an entry point, allowed me to gradually build up my understanding. This also had the benefit of building the habit of regular study and exam-taking. For anyone attempting the exams, I would stress that exam practice is crucial. I try to fit this in as much as I can. Whenever you have a few minutes spare, for example, waiting on transport, it is good to run through a few short questions. Understand not just what steps to take but why they are necessary. If you understand what a technique is doing, it is easier to adjust it to how the question is asked.

What is your career goal after gaining your ACCA qualification?

I am currently working as an auditor at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, and my immediate plans are to continue in the public sector. The ACCA qualification has provided an excellent base for further professional development and provided me with essential skills in accounting in a way that is easily applicable to the real world.

From left to right:
Ronnie Patton, ACCA Global President
Reece Carvin, Prize winner
Cathal Cusack, ACCA Global Council Member