How I stayed focused on my journey to becoming a CA

We caught up with Ben James Houston CA who won the Queens Platinum Jubilee Award and asked him for his tips on how to balance the demands of studying alongside working at Azets Holdings.

How do you balance work and study in a typical week?

I usually work 9 to 5 during the non-busy season and would study in the evenings and weekends.

Have you found any routines or habits to make it easier?

Definitely planning what topics or areas to tackle on a certain day.

What helped you to stay motivated throughout your training and overcome the tough times?

I stayed motivated by focusing on my long-term goal of becoming a CA and breaking it into smaller milestones. Seeking guidance from mentors and peers, maintaining a disciplined routine, and celebrating small achievements helped me overcome tough times and keep progressing consistently.

What have you enjoyed most about the CA journey so far?

What I’ve enjoyed most about my CA journey is the opportunity to apply knowledge in real-world scenarios, particularly working in external audit.

What support networks have you relied on throughout your studies and how did they support you?

I relied on ICAS for guidance and resources, my firm for mentorship and practical experience, friends and peers for support and motivation, and family for encouragement. Their combined support helped me stay focused and resilient throughout my CA journey.

Who or what inspired you to want to train as a CA?

By being involved within the ICAS Foundation throughout university and having a mentor that was a CA. This helped me gain further insight into the profession.

What’s one small thing that makes a big difference when balancing studying and working?

Planning and sticking to a routine - this allowed for a good work-life balance.
How do you use your ICAS Advantage study guides in your day-to-day learning?
I used them to structure my daily learning—reviewing key concepts, practicing questions, and tracking progress.

What are you most proud of in your journey so far?

Winning the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Prize, was a nice way to round off my CA journey as a student.

What were your first few months as a CA student like?

My first few months as a CA student during COVID, straight from university, were challenging but highly formative. Adjusting to remote work, managing studies alongside practical tasks, and learning to stay disciplined without a structured office environment taught me resilience, time management, and the importance of proactive communication.