Finding a balance between working and studying is so important. I remind our apprentices of that a lot. Everything they’re studying can be implemented in their day-to-day role. When I was 18, I knew I wanted to earn money and learn at the same time, so I took the accountancy apprenticeship route (after I’d completed the AAT qualification, I moved on to ACCA), so I have been mindful of finding a balance since the start of my career.
We are a small firm that’s growing incredibly quickly. Our staff are fully remote, and our ethos is to develop, nurture and work with staff who are young professionals early on in their career. Our clients are also at an early stage – mostly tech start-ups, so we really have that flowing through the practice. We work with them on all aspects of accounting, including their R&D claims.
Communicating with clients so quickly has helped them trust the advice that we’re giving
We choose clients based on how we believe they fit our business model and whether we’re the right fit for them. We tend not to work with those who just want year-end accounts, because it’s difficult to see ‘the whole picture’. By completing a whole range of services for clients, it gives them that holistic approach.
We’ve noticed in the tech start-up sector that some venture capitalists only tend to invest in companies that have a particular sustainable element to them. Clients aren’t raising sustainability with us, but it’s likely to become a bigger issue before long.
We use Slack throughout the company, both with clients and internally. It allows us to be really responsive – in fact, Slack has changed the world of accountancy. Communicating with clients so quickly and efficiently has helped them trust the advice that we’re giving and know that if they do have a question, they’ve got someone who they can message – even from their phone.
What I enjoy most about my job is seeing young professionals develop. We’ve just had one of our apprentices smash his AAT exam with a 92% score – the fact that they’re getting results like that shows we’re doing our job in training and supporting them, but they’re also enjoying what they’re doing. Seeing them engaged, asking me for one-to-one meetings and feedback – that is the side of my job that I really enjoy.
Keep on reaching out to other professional females in your network
As International Women’s Day is this month, the one piece of advice that I would give to women starting out in the profession is don’t give up on your career goals. Women starting out in accountancy may have to take maternity leave for example, but your career doesn’t stop there. There are options to work remotely and work around children or any other personal commitments. There aren’t many roadblocks in your career if you want to be an accountant because there is so much support out there for women in the profession. Keep on training, keep on studying and keep on reaching out to other professional females in your network.
Outside of work, I’m quite big on going to the gym. I make sure that I go most mornings. It relaxes my mind. If I don’t get a workout in, I feel like I haven’t been able to switch off and chill. It’s so important to focus on physical and mental wellbeing.
