Congratulations on achieving joint first place for ICAEW AA and FAR in December 2020 and your ICAEW prizewinner status. What do you think was the biggest factor that led to this achievement?
I think the main driver was commitment. I took a ‘little and often’ approach to revision, rather than trying to cram a lot of information in the final week/weeks before the exams.
What made you choose a career in accountancy? Was there anything that triggered your decision?
I’ve always been a fan of numbers and thoroughly enjoyed studying Maths at school. I studied History at university, which made it clear that I would prefer to work in a numerical field. However, I was glad to have improved my literary and research skills.
Over the course of your ICAEW qualification, you have studied in the classroom as well as using FI Online courses. What was your preferred approach to studying? Do you have any study tips for other students aspiring towards ICAEW prizewinner status?
My main tip would be to engage in class, particularly whilst the pandemic is ongoing and we are studying online – as it is very easy to ‘switch off’. Even if you aren’t overly confident in the answer, try to offer one in class – if you get it wrong, I feel that you’re more likely to remember it.
How have you been supported by your company and colleagues throughout your studies so far? How has this contributed to your success with ICAEW so far?
My company and colleagues have been very supportive. It’s been very useful to hear revision tips from my colleagues who are ahead of me in their studies or have already completed them.
How do you feel First Intuition has responded to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic? In what way/s has the pandemic affected your ICAEW studies?
The main effect on my studies has been having to sit exams remotely. It was quite off-putting taking the Certificate Level exams without a physical calculator (using the on-screen one slows you down a great deal), so I’m very pleased this has now been rectified. I feel that First Intuition has responded very well and the online classroom has been brilliant – I actually find the online learning preferable, as it means I don’t have to commute and so have more time to practise in the evenings.
Having become an ICAEW prizewinner, which qualities would you suggest a new learner looks for in a tuition provider to get the best experience from their studies?
A tuition provider which provides you with a great deal of support in terms of being on hand to answer any questions and being happy to mark some of your work.
Do you have any goals/plans in mind for when you finish your ICAEW qualification?
Nothing concrete as of yet. My car lease runs out shortly after qualification, so perhaps a new car will be on the cards!
Finally, we’d like to say a huge congratulations to Charli and look forward to watching her progress in her ICAEW qualification.
If Charli has inspired you to start your ICAEW journey, you can read more about the ICAEW qualification at the links below.
