Studying towards ACA and life at Page Kirk Accountants

Trainee Accountant Matt Laurenti talks about his experience of working at Page Kirk, as well as his journey towards professional qualifications.

After graduating from The University of Nottingham in Summer 2021 with a degree in Finance, Accounting and Management, I began my journey to becoming a chartered accountant with Page Kirk in September of that year.

The ACA qualification is split into three levels: Certificate, Professional and Advanced. Each level gets progressively more difficult. There are six exams at Certificate level, followed by six more at Professional and a further three at Advanced.

Within a few weeks of starting my job, I went on study leave, where I began learning the Certificate- level content. Due to the nature of my degree, I was fortunate enough to have exemptions from four of the six Certificate exams, meaning I only had to sit Assurance and Principles of Taxation. Having the opportunity to go on study leave isn't just a break from the usual workload, but it is also a chance to meet many other young professionals in a similar role to mine and create relationships outside of my usual place of work. If, like me, you have background in finance or accounting, you may also benefit from some exam exemptions. If not, the tuition is designed to cater for complete beginners. In fact, my colleagues come from many different backgrounds.

After passing my Certificate level exams, I began studying for Professional level, where again, I had two exemptions, meaning I only had to sit four exams. These are significantly more difficult than Certificate level and require a lot more personal time devoted to studying. It can be challenging to balance studying around work and my hobbies, but I find that using my study leave and spreading out a few extra hours of revision throughout the week gives me enough time to completely understand the topics.

I am currently two years into my career and I have finished Certificate and Professional level. I have recently started my tuition for my first two Advanced-level exams (Strategic Business Management and Corporate Reporting). These cover complex areas and require a lot of knowledge gained from previous studies. I will be aiming to sit my last exam in July 2024.

Even though the amount of work required to pass the exams can sometimes feel overwhelming, it is important to still maintain some balance in your private life. You cannot devote all your time to revision. During my free time, I enjoy watching live music, playing the piano, playing football and going to the gym. I make sure I still allow myself the time to do these things.

Application process

As I was approaching the end of my time at university, I began applying for jobs. It felt strange that after 16 years in education I was ready to get a 'real' job. If you are looking to apply for the graduate scheme, here are a few tips:

• Submit a cover letter – some people see this as a waste of time, but it is an easy way to make yourself stand out in a sea of applicants.
• Make sure your personality is reflected in your cover letter and CV – qualifications are obtainable by anyone. Your hobbies, skills and experiences are, however, unique to you. These will be a good talking point for your interview.
• Conduct some research – use your initiative to learn about Page Kirk and the ACA qualification you will be studying towards.

Work

On a day-to-day basis, I work on many different clients and types of assignments. My main areas are audit and accounts. The clients vary a lot, from small unincorporated businesses to limited liability partnerships and larger limited companies. I spend a lot of time visiting clients for audits and even sometimes for accounts work. It's very interesting, gaining exposure to a wide range of industries, such as engineering, manufacturing, motor and legal. Visiting clients has helped me gain confidence by developing my transferable skills.

Social activities

As a member of the ICAEW, I've attended the Nottingham Chartered Accountants Student Society (NCASS) ball for the last two years. This is a great opportunity to celebrate with my colleagues and other accounting students from across multiple firms around Nottingham. I am also the sports representative for NCASS, so I play an active part in organising the ball, as well as other sporting events throughout the year. I have enjoyed meeting people from different firms and sharing experiences.

Our regular Friday afternoon Page Kirk pub gatherings are a perfect opportunity to unwind after a week of work. We are a very social workforce, so any excuse for a gathering is often welcomed.

Mentorship and learning

I'm learning every day at work. Some of my more experienced colleagues were in my shoes not long ago, so they know exactly what I'm going through and are always happy to help. Managers and partners of the firm take a hands-on approach with training, helping to guide me through my studies and any complex work. Even though I am constantly learning, I am also passing my skills onto new members of staff, as I am helping them get used to our software and other general practices in the workplace.

Leadership

Two years into my career, I am gaining a lot more responsibility and taking on larger and more complex workloads. Over the last year, I have seen my work change from junior tasks to more senior tasks including finalisation of audits and accounts work. I also act as a mentor for new staff, which includes not just training, but also ensuring they know who to speak to about any issues, as well as advice with exams and studying.