ICAS ICAS logo

Quicklinks

  1. About Us

    Find out about who we are and what we do here at ICAS.

  2. Find a CA

    Search our directory of individual CAs and Member organisations by name, location and professional criteria.

  3. CA Magazine

    View the latest issues of the dedicated magazine for ICAS Chartered Accountants.

  4. Contact Us

    Get in touch with ICAS by phone, email or post, with dedicated contacts for Members, Students and firms.

Login
  • Annual renewal
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Find a CA
  1. About us
    1. Governance
  2. Members
    1. Become a member
    2. Newly qualified
    3. Manage my membership
    4. Benefits of membership
    5. Careers support
    6. Mentoring
    7. CA Wellbeing
    8. More for Members
    9. Area networks
    10. International communities
    11. Get involved
    12. Top Young CAs
    13. Career breaks
    14. ICAS podcast
    15. Newly admitted members 2022
    16. Newly admitted members 2023
  3. CA Students
    1. Student information
    2. Student resources
    3. Learning requirements
    4. Learning updates
    5. Learning blog
    6. Totum Pro | Student discount card
    7. CA Student wellbeing
  4. Become a CA
    1. How to become a CA
    2. Routes to becoming a CA
    3. CA Stories
    4. Find a training agreement
    5. Why become a CA
    6. Qualification information
    7. University exemptions
  5. Employers
    1. Become an Authorised Training Office
    2. Resources for Authorised Training Offices
    3. Professional entry
    4. Apprenticeships
  6. Find a CA
  7. ICAS events
    1. CA Summit
  8. CA magazine
  9. Insight
    1. Finance + Trust
    2. Finance + Technology
    3. Finance + EDI
    4. Finance + Mental Fitness
    5. Finance + Leadership
    6. Finance + Sustainability
  10. Professional resources
    1. Anti-money laundering
    2. Audit and assurance
    3. Brexit
    4. Business and governance
    5. Charities
    6. Coronavirus
    7. Corporate and financial reporting
    8. Cyber security
    9. Ethics
    10. Insolvency
    11. ICAS Research
    12. Pensions
    13. Practice
    14. Public sector
    15. Sustainability
    16. Tax
  11. CPD - professional development
    1. CPD courses and qualifications
    2. CPD news and updates
    3. CPD support and advice
  12. Regulation
    1. Complaints and sanctions
    2. Regulatory authorisations
    3. Guidance and help sheets
    4. Regulatory monitoring
  13. CA jobs
    1. CA jobs partner: Rutherford Cross
    2. Resources for your job search
    3. Advertise with CA jobs
    4. Hays | A Trusted ICAS CA Jobs Partner
    5. Azets | What's your ambition?
  14. Work at ICAS
    1. Business centres
    2. Meet our team
    3. Benefits
    4. Vacancies
    5. Imagine your career at ICAS
  15. Contact us
    1. Technical and regulation queries
    2. ICAS logo request

Michael Scott CA named NQ of the Year 2018

  • LinkedIn (opens new window)
  • Twitter (opens new window)
By Lesley Stewart, CA Today

4 April 2018

NQ welcome offer:

  • A free online course pack
  • 50% discount off your first face-to-face or Online Classroom Live course booking*
  • Free attendance to regular webinars

Michael Scott CA has been announced as the Newly Qualified Accountant of the Year at the 2018 PQ magazine awards.

The awards recognise the hard work of newly qualified accountants, as well as those who educate them on their journey.

Michael was distinguished from a pool of excellent finalists to be named the winner of the ‘Newly Qualified Accountant’ award, representing ICAS at the ceremony held in London. Having graduated at the ICAS Admissions Ceremony in March 2018, Michael said he was “absolutely delighted and thrilled” to have won and recognised the “wonderful and brilliant accountants” he both studied and worked with throughout his years of study.

Michael is a Senior Accountant and Supervisor at EQ Chartered Accountants, who have four offices in Scotland. Michael, based in Glenrothes, is a senior member of the firms audit team and member of EQ Technology and the R&D groups – giving him opportunities to take part in specialised work with partners.

Outside of work, Michael is deputy group leader with children’s charity HCPT and treasurer of Fife Gingerbread, a charity supporting vulnerable families.

Michael spoke to Lesley about receiving the award and his career achievements to date.

What achievements led to your nomination?

I feel like I have achieved so much in the time I’ve been with EQ. Opportunities to be part of the R&D team, working towards substantial claims for clients, regularly attending and planning networking events and all of the training and development support has guided me to my position as a Senior Accountant today. I’m thankful for all the invaluable guidance that I have received and believe that has ultimately lead to my success.

It’s been a busy few years, both personally and professionally. I was delighted to pass my ICAS exams first time but didn’t make things easy for myself throughout my training contract as I also moved home, got engaged, planned my wedding (conducted in our farm barn that we adapted ourselves), got  married, was best man (twice) and couldn’t let my 30th go by without a big celebration.  In addition, I worked most of my weekends on my wife’s farm and continued my demanding charity work as with HCPT Group 77.

However, all of the hard work juggling all of my personal commitments and studies was well worth it as I passed and even requested to sit my final TPE exam with ICAS one year early – an apparently unprecedented request. To be recognised after all the hard work certainly made it worth it.

Your charity work was given special mention by PQ – can you tell us more?

Since 2006, I have volunteered as a deputy group leader with local children’s charity, HCPT (Group 77). This role sees me fundraising, managing teams and working with children with additional support needs - helping them grow in confidence and form friendships. The role is incredibly involved as the workload spans 8-10 months of the year.  It is unbelievably rewarding and really has shaped my outlook on life.

Additionally, I have raised over £10,000 (increased to £20,000+ thanks to a large one-off donation) in the last year through various fundraisers for local charities. As a result, in November 2017, I was asked to join the board of Fife Gingerbread as treasurer; a charity supporting lone parents, disadvantaged and vulnerable families in Fife. Because of my childhood and my experiences growing up, the work the charity does strikes a chord with me and I was more than happy to accept the position.

I am a big believer in making changes collectively. If everyone made small, manageable differences to their local community and wider area, big changes can happen. This could include raising money for charity every now and again or volunteering on a more regular basis.

How did you feel when your name was announced?

Would you believe that I almost didn’t go! Roanna, my wife, had told me a few weeks before that she would have to stay at the farm as the cows would be in calving season. Graham Hambly, editor of PQ Magazine has said that it is the best excuse he has ever heard for someone not making the awards.

The event was quite dazzling, and the setting of Café de Paris was spectacular. There’s something about being at an event, filled with a variety of different people from all aspects of the accountancy industry that is enjoyable – I’m a little bit of a geek like that. To be in amongst them all was a privilege and a pleasure.

To be from a small town in Fife and attending a glamourous event in London amongst some of the best people and businesses in the accountancy industry was a little overwhelming, but an experience I enjoyed thoroughly and will remember for the rest of my career.

When I found out that I had won the PQ Award for Newly Qualified Accountant of the Year 2018, I was completely shocked and overwhelmed!

When my name got called out, it took a second or two to sink in and for me realise I had to get up from my seat. The walk to the stage was a blur but I do remember being so happy, that instead of just accepting my award from Rob Whiteman, CEO of CIPFA, with a handshake, I pulled him in for a hug for the photo.

I did not expect to win, but was fully prepared to meet up with the winner myself.  I of course, am without question delighted and thrilled to have won.

What do you like about working with an innovative company like EQ?

I have been working for EQ since July 2011 and started my ICAS training in 2012 under the five year Direct Entry Route. EQ is a modern, energetic accountancy practice which aims to encourage clients to consider their vision and realise their ambitions.

Whilst I was studying, I was able to gain invaluable work experience - working with a range of different clients and having the opportunity to get involved with really interesting and varied work. EQ don’t departmentalise, which means that every trainee is educated in a range of areas, which I believe has made me better qualified to assist clients as a business advisor, not just an accountant.

Since completing my studies, I have been promoted to Senior Accountant and am responsible for a portfolio of over 100 clients.  I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunities I have had with EQ – I have learned so much in my time here, and with a strong focus on training, know I have full support in my on-going development. I look forward to my career as a Chartered Accountant and endeavour to use my experience and qualification to make a difference.

You can find the full list of winners at PQ magazine.

NQs planning for future career

Newly qualified? What to consider when planning your future career

By ICAS Professional Development team

2 February 2023

ICAS logo

Footer links

  • Contact us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Modern slavery statement
  • Privacy notice
  • CA magazine

Connect with ICAS

  • Facebook (opens new window) Facebook Icon
  • Twitter (opens new window) Twitter Icon
  • LinkedIn (opens new window) LinkedIn Icon
  • Instagram (opens new window) Instagram Icon

ICAS is a member of the following bodies

  • Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (opens new window) Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies logo
  • Chartered Accountants Worldwide (opens new window) Chartered Accountants Worldwide logo
  • Global Accounting Alliance (opens new window) Global Accounting Alliance
  • International Federation of Accountants (opens new window) IFAC
  • Access Accountancy (opens new window) Access Acountancy

Charities

  • ICAS Foundation (opens new window) ICAS Foundation
  • SCABA (opens new window) scaba

Accreditations

  • ISO 9001 - RGB (opens new window)
© ICAS 2022

The mark and designation “CA” is a registered trade mark of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), and is available for use in the UK and EU only to members of ICAS. If you are not a member of ICAS, you should not use the “CA” mark and designation in the UK or EU in relation to accountancy, tax or insolvency services. The mark and designation “Chartered Accountant” is a registered trade mark of ICAS, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales and Chartered Accountants Ireland. If you are not a member of one of these organisations, you should not use the “Chartered Accountant” mark and designation in the UK or EU in relation to these services. Further restrictions on the use of these marks also apply where you are a member.

ICAS logo

Our cookie policy

ICAS.com uses cookies which are essential for our website to work. We would also like to use analytical cookies to help us improve our website and your user experience. Any data collected is anonymised. Please have a look at the further information in our cookie policy and confirm if you are happy for us to use analytical cookies: