Once I’d set my sights on chartered accountancy, I started looking for jobs with training programmes and luckily found a place on the Rickard Keen LLP AAT-ACA Fast Track programme. 

After completing my A levels in Psychology, Human Biology, Chemistry and Maths (at AS level) in August 2007, I chose to go on and study with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) instead of going to university. 

On successful completion of the AAT qualification I then decided to continue to pursue a career as a chartered accountant and as a result progressed onto ICAEW's ACA qualification. 

I don’t regret not going to university. Sometimes I think I would have liked to have the experience of moving away from home and living the university lifestyle, but now, when I hear my friends comparing their student debt I’m glad I didn’t go!

My current role is within the accounts and audit department for Rickard Keen LLP (a medium to top 20 accountancy firm). As Audit and Accounts Senior, my day-to-day work mainly involves working on audits alongside the firm’s director of audit.

To date the job has provided me with essential hands-on experience in this particular field of chartered accountancy.

While it can be challenging at times, I enjoy getting involved with some of the firm’s largest client audits. Not only is it great experience, but it is fun too!

Looking to the future I would like to broaden my experience within tax as I found the ACA modules in this field particularly interesting.

I hope to then perhaps complete the CTA exams in taxation on successful completion of the ACA qualification.

One piece of advice I would give to students looking into chartered accountancy as a career is to consider training with firms of different sizes.

Although the salaries offered in bigger London firms can seem very appealing, the environment in a smaller firm may offer a wider range of experiences and support while training.