Congratulations on achieving joint first place in ICAEW Audit and Assurance and winning the Watts Prize! What do you think were the key factors that led to your prizewinner success?

Thank you! I actually didn’t know it was possible to receive an award until I got one, so it was a completely unexpected but very rewarding surprise. The tutors always emphasise how valuable the question bank and past papers are, and I truly believe that practising these is key to passing. For me, consistency was key. I didn’t rely on last-minute cramming. Instead, I kept a steady pace over the three months leading up to the exams. I used a calendar to plan out my revision, assigning specific questions to each day. That helped me stay on track and manage the workload without feeling overwhelmed. Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to exams, so I’m sure my revision methods differ from others.

What motivated you to pursue a career in accountancy?

When I first joined my firm on an industrial placement, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that an investment bank offered the opportunity to study for the ACA qualification. This was a big selling point for me to return after graduating. Transitioning into accounting felt like a natural continuation of my interest in Economics and Finance, giving me the practical knowledge and technical grounding needed for my current role.

Throughout your ICAEW journey, what study techniques or strategies helped you the most in securing such an outstanding result?

So far, I have found that a few key things really made a real difference. One technique that stood out was keeping a separate page for tricky concepts. Whenever I came across something I kept forgetting during question practice, I’d jot it down on a dedicated page. Reviewing that regularly helped me strengthen weaker areas and avoid repeating mistakes. I made a point of always maximising use of critical feedback on my mocks and then taking the time to understand exactly where I could improve. I always had a spreadsheet open. I’d log which topics I’d covered, how I felt about the questions, and how well I performed. It gave me a clear picture of where to focus my efforts.

During your ICAEW qualification, you’ve had access to both classroom learning and FI Online courses. Which study method worked best for you, and what tips would you share with other students aiming for ICAEW prize-winner status?

I personally found the FI online courses more in line with my style of working, as it allows each individual to work at their own pace. It does, however, require a greater level of time management and self-discipline to do so as you have to ensure you devote sufficient time to learning and revising. Learning how to balance studying for a professional qualification with working in finance and personal life is an adjustment, but the flexibility of online learning complements this. It’s first important to ensure that the foundations are secure as this is what will ensure the pass on the paper. The hard components are the cherry on top.

Many students find Audit and Assurance particularly challenging. Do you have any specific tips or approaches for tackling this paper successfully?

I completely agree, it definitely can be one of the tougher papers. I think the key is to focus on understanding the concepts rather than just memorising them. Once you grasp why certain audit procedures are performed and what they aim to achieve, the questions start to feel much more logical.

I would recommend practising as many past questions as possible. This helps you recognise the common themes and see how examiners expect points to be structured.
For Audit and Assurance, the mark scheme often awards more points than the question requires, so it’s about maximising breadth and clarity rather than depth on one idea.
I also made a habit of practising the shorter form questions during my morning commute, which helped me stay consistent and not overlook that part of the exam.

How did First Intuition’s support contribute to your preparation and prizewinner performance in your exams?

The revision courses were especially valuable as they weren’t just about reviewing content but about applying it through intensive question practice. That hands-on approach really helped me understand how to tackle different types of questions under exam conditions.

The tutors shared practical exam techniques which was helpful in identifying where the bulk of the marks came from in a question, and how to structure answers most effectively.
Being able to ask questions and clarify tricky areas in a classroom setting really strengthened my understanding and boosted my confidence ahead of the exams.

Do you have any goals/plans in mind for when you finish your ICAEW qualification?

Absolutely. Completing the ICAEW qualification is a big milestone, and I’m really looking forward to what comes next. One of my main goals is to build on the technical foundation I’ve developed and start taking on more responsibility in my role.

And I want to keep learning, whether that’s through further qualifications, mentoring others, or simply staying curious and open to new challenges that come my way.
Outside of work, I’m hoping to carve out more time for hobbies I’ve had to put on hold during exam season.

ICAEW Programmes Lauren, ICAEW prizewinner

How to become an ICAEW prizewinner