It was my interest in financial crime and my taster accounting module at university that sparked my interest in the ACA qualification. Having looked into it a little more, I soon realised how prestigious it was and that it was exactly what I wanted from my career – guidance and a clear path of progression. I was very open-minded when searching for positions, as I knew I didn’t have any experience in the field and therefore wasn’t sure what I would enjoy working on the most. After looking through job postings and graduate schemes, I quickly realised that I wanted to train in a medium-sized firm, as they offered more than just experience in audit. Citroen Wells immediately stood out as they work across a variety of industries – from media and entertainment to solicitors and FCA-regulated clients, and offer experience in audit, accounting and tax.

I was pleasantly surprised by the level of responsibility I was given from the beginning, as well as the fact that I had the opportunity to work directly for the partners, all while feeling supported by everyone I worked with. Within a few months of starting my training contract I had worked with the majority of seniors and managers at the firm, which made me feel more a part of a team and less like just another employee. Regular meetings with the training partner have also been a benefit, as they focus not only on feedback on my work, but also on my development – what aspects of the job I’ve enjoyed the most and what skills I would like to improve.

While studying for the ACA is time-consuming and it can be difficult to say no to a night out with exams around the corner, nothing feels as good and rewarding as passing those exams. I haven’t looked back since I applied for a training contract at Citroen Wells, and I would advise anyone looking for a breadth of experience to apply to a medium-sized firm!