Congratulations on being chosen for First Intuition’s Apprentice of the Quarter Award for June 2025. How did you feel when you found out?

Thank you so much! I was honestly a bit surprised. I hadn’t heard of the award before, but I’m incredibly grateful. It came at the right time and lifted my spirits after such a hectic quarter balancing work and study.

Let’s start right back at the beginning. What was it that made you want to choose a career in accountancy?

I didn’t have a set plan to go into accountancy. I kind of stumbled into it. I’d taken business for my A levels, which included a few accountancy units, but I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do afterward. My mum signed me up for an AAT course at our local college, and I thought, “Why not?” I gave it a go and ended up enjoying it. That led to my first role in a finance function, working in accounts payable, and things just progressed from there.

What was your preferred approach to studying ACCA?

I’m quite a visual learner, so reading and rereading large blocks of text doesn’t work for me; it just doesn’t stick. What works best is condensing everything down into flashcards and bullet points, then doing as many practice questions as possible. I tend to use ACCA materials and often reach out to tutors if I’m stuck or need something marked. The textbooks can feel overwhelming, especially when something doesn’t click right away, but applying it through question practice helps it all come together.

How has your company (Directional Pizza LTD) and colleagues supported you throughout your apprenticeship so far? How has this contributed to your success with ACCA?

Work has been supportive. Over the past couple of years, I’ve had a few different managers, and all of them have done qualifications like ACCA or CIMA, so they understand how tough it is to balance full-time work and exams. They’ve made sure my workload stays manageable and have been happy to give me time off for study, lectures, and revision. They’ve also checked in on my wellbeing and stress levels, which has made a big difference. Honestly, without that support, I don’t think I would’ve achieved first-time passes on some of the tougher exams.

You’ve overcome several challenges throughout your ACCA apprenticeship, showing your strength and resilience. Do you have any study tips for other students and apprentices?

One of the biggest things I’ve learned while studying is to maintain a life outside of exams; it’s so important. With four exams a year and a pretty constant study cycle, taking time for yourself helps. I still go out for meals, take my dog out on weekends, go to the pub, just keep doing the things I enjoy. It makes the process more manageable and stops me from feeling like I’m missing out.

The other key thing is constant question practice. There are loads of great resources on FI Learn and the ACCA website. Even if you only have 10 minutes, doing a quick multiple-choice question helps keep the knowledge fresh.

Which qualities would you suggest a new learner looks for in a tuition provider to get the best experience from their studies?

I’d say the key things are clear, concise study materials and engaged tutors. What I really like about FI is that the tuition and revision notes get straight to the point. There’s no overwhelming bundles of information, just exactly what you need to know and how to apply it. The tutors are also really responsive and approachable, always quick to help if you have a question, and they make the learning experience engaging.

How do you feel the ACCA apprenticeship route has benefitted you, and what has it added to your study experience and professional development?

I think the apprenticeship route has really added structure to my journey. I haven’t had to worry about planning what’s next, that’s all been mapped out for me. My focus has purely been on the exam in front of me. Dates are set, everything’s organised, so I’ve been able to concentrate on preparation.

Plus, the additional elements of the apprenticeship, like Project Reports, have helped me reflect on how much my professional skills, like communication and leadership, have developed along the way.

Do you have any goals/plans in mind for when you finish your ACCA apprenticeship?

First goal is to have a holiday and relax. But, career-wise, I would probably be looking at doing more of a leadership management role with financial planning and the analysis side of finance. I’ve been doing that a lot lately, and I’m quite intrigued, getting more hands-on with the strategic goals of the business and how we can achieve that.