Daniel, Trainee Business Advisor, PKF LLP
I have always needed a focus in my life to keep me motivated. On completion of my A-levels I decided that university was not for me. This led me to search for a career path that offered plenty of opportunity and I found the AAT-ACA Fast Track route with ICAEW.
It was a fascinating prospect being offered the opportunity to work while studying. I decided to apply and after a successful interview with PKF, I accepted and never looked back.
I began work at 18 with little business knowledge. Within two years I had been given audit experience across a number of sectors and also worked for three months in corporate recovery. I felt I had met more people and seen more places than I had in my previous 18 years of life. I had my AAT qualification.
Moving on to the ACA, I took my exemptions available, reducing the total number of exams for my full qualification. This was great but the step up was still huge.
My work was rapidly progressing. I was doing larger and more complex jobs, new students were joining and working for me and senior staff highly regarded me as they do for most AAT students. We offer more experience than the graduates and management recognise this.
Now four years in and I’m studying for my final three exams and in just over 12 months I will be qualified.