Following the successful completion of a degree in Business Management at the University of Leeds, I decided to pursue a career in forensic accounting and become a chartered accountant.

I am now a fully-qualified ICAEW Chartered Accountant and I managed cases in the financial investigations team at Kroll Advisory Solutions before I joined EY. 

Forensic accountants work closely with legal executives on cases involving fraud, money laundering or even celebrity divorce cases. Forensic accountants are trained to look beyond the numbers and combine accounting, information technology, investigation and problem-solving skills.

All of the work we do in forensics could end up in court, so it is essential that everything is 100% accurate and conceptually well founded. Attention to detail and an inquisitive mind are essential qualities needed to succeed as a forensic accountant. 

Forensic accounting can be challenging at times. I have enjoyed working on a range of interesting cases - from drug lords laundering money in South America to insurance claims following damage caused by volcanic eruptions - where we were asked to value the impact. 

Another highlight has been the identification of shipping documents proving the sale of goods from a weapons manufacturer in China and delivery to Iran, as well as a terrorist bank account which was frozen immediately. It’s not fighting on the front line, but I feel like I’ve helped to do my bit. 

It’s exposure to this incredible range of cases that keeps me interested in the field of accounting and I wouldn’t have had these opportunities if it weren’t for my ACA qualification.