ICAS celebrates the achievements of the latest TPE Students to have passed their exams
In this celebratory article, our TPE prize winners share aspirations for the future and reflections on their CA training.
ICAS would like to offer congratulations to all those who have recently passed the TPE examinations. The past year has been a challenging one in many ways and we recognise that learning fully online and sitting exams remotely has been a learning curve in itself.
It is a huge achievement to have passed your TPE examinations and we wish all our Students the very best in their future CA careers.
Here, two of our Students to have excelled in the recent exam diet share here what they have found most challenging about their training, their aspirations for the future and their advice for future Students.
About out our recent prize winners
Matthew Berrill received the Archie Hunter prize, which is awarded to the candidate at The Test of Professional Expertise whose performance was judged to be first in order of merit and sufficiently meritorious.
Jack McCarthy received the ICAS Student Education Committee Prize, which is awarded to the candidate at The Test of Professional Expertise whose performance was judged to be second in order of merit and sufficiently meritorious.
Ryan Greaves received the Victor McDougall for the candidate at The Test of Professional Expertise whose performance was judged to be third in order of merit and sufficiently meritorious.
Matthew Berrill, Archie Hunter Prize
When did you decide you wanted to become a CA?
I studied physics at university which I really enjoyed. When I started to think about career options, I was keen to use the analytical and problem-solving skills that I had developed but in a commercial context. Becoming a CA stood out to me as ticking all those boxes whilst offering a number of varied and engaging career paths.
What’s your biggest ambition in life (professional or personal)?
Due to my physics degree, I have a passion for science and spent a lot of time studying areas relating to sustainability and climate. I would love to bring this knowledge to bear in a commercial context during my career, marrying up the scientific side with the corporate side.
Interesting fact or funny story about you…
A few years ago I was late for a flight in South Africa and was running to the gate to try and get to the plane before it left. I accidentally ran into someone on my way without noticing who they were. When I turned to apologise I realised it was Prince Harry. Fortunately, his security was sympathetic with me!
What have you found most challenging about your CA training?
The most challenging part of my CA training has definitely been this last year working in a COVID environment. Whilst I have still been able to see colleagues virtually, I have missed the time spent in the office face to face whilst studying and the camaraderie which comes as a result.
What have you enjoyed most about your CA training?
The most enjoyable part of my training has been all the friends I’ve made whilst studying. My intake at PwC have become very close through the time spent studying together at weekends and in the evenings. I’ve made some friends for life who are a pleasure to both work and socialise with.
Have you managed to maintain a good work-life balance and/or keep up with any hobbies and interests while going through your training?
Work certainly has its busy periods, especially when balancing studying with other client commitments. I make a conscious effort to keep protected time in my week, even if it’s just for a few hours on a weekend in order to switch off. I try and spend my free time outdoors either cycling or walking. I also like to travel widely, introducing as much variety in my destinations as possible. Whilst this hasn’t been an option in the past year I’m looking forward to hopefully being able to travel internationally again soon.
Do you have any advice for others who are studying at ICAS?
My key piece of advice would be to get to know your fellow ICAS students from the start. They’re an invaluable resource to lean on when studying gets hard and you’ll make a few lifelong friends along the way. And do plenty of practice questions!
For people thinking about studying to become a CA, ask as many questions as you can before making your final decision. Speak to CAs to find out more as they can tell you lots about it.
Where do you want to be in 5 years’ time (in terms of your professional career)? How about in 20 years’ time?
I believe in lifelong learning and am keen to maximise this through having a varied and engaging career. I hope to utilise my science background and in particular would like to have an impact in the areas of sustainability and climate. In the short term I am keen to maximise all of the development opportunities available to me at PwC.
At the end of your career, what would you like to be remembered for?
One of the things I enjoy the most about work is when there is a culture of collaboration and coaching across all levels of an organisation. Ultimately, I would like to be remembered as someone who prioritised the development of others and helped them to reach their full potential as much as any personal achievements.
Jack McCarthy, ICAS Student Education Committee Prize
When did you decide you wanted to become a CA?
I was introduced to the idea of accounting fairly late into my education when I was offered a 6-week internship in assurance at EY after my second year of university. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I started out, but I quickly realised that it was something which deeply interested me and I could see myself doing long-term.
What’s your biggest ambition in life (professional or personal)?
Apart from the now distant childhood dreams of playing football for England, I think my biggest ambition, both personally and professionally, is to forge meaningful and long-lasting personal and professional relationships wherever possible. Reaching personal milestones is always incredible but sharing them with others is even greater.
Interesting fact or funny story about you…
One of the funniest things to have happened to me was when someone asked me if I could play golf. Having been down the driving range a few times in my life, I replied that I could but that my handicap was not fantastic, with it “only being a 2 or a 3”. Unfortunately, I didn’t realise that in golf a lower handicap meant that you were a better player and the next thing I knew I was signed up to a charity tournament. Mortified with my mistake, I spent the next few weekends trying to book in as many last-minute sessions as possible to try to get myself up to speed before embarrassing myself in front of a crowd of people!
What have you found most challenging about your CA training?
This has to be the sheer amount of knowledge you have to gain in such a short amount of time as part of the exam preparation. From looking back at what I knew day one to what I know now, it really is night and day, but that change only came from a lot of hard work!
What have you enjoyed most about your CA training?
Although it was also the most challenging, the long hours spent either in busy periods at work or at college studying for exams have allowed me to meet and get to know a whole range of incredible people who have definitely helped me along the way. And the best part of it all is that several of these people are not just colleagues now but are also some of my closest friends too.
Have you managed to maintain a good work-life balance and/or keep up with any hobbies and interests while going through your training?
I think maintaining a good work-life balance is integral in anything you do, whether that be as part of your CA training or in another field of work. I have always lived by the ‘work hard, play hard’ motto: set yourself timeframes when you work extremely hard and then allow yourself time to do whatever you want, whether that be exercising, socialising or relaxing, and don’t pay work a second thought. With this in mind, I have always set aside Saturdays for playing football and never miss a Chelsea game!
Do you have any advice for others who are studying at ICAS?
The biggest advice I can give is to not be embarrassed to ask questions, no matter how insignificant or “stupid” you might think that they are; no one will know all the answers the first time around. The most important thing that I found was to be honest with yourself as to what you were struggling with and continue to ask questions until you are comfortable with the answer. And then once you are, be willing to share that knowledge with others too!
Where do you want to be in 5 years’ time (in terms of your professional career)? How about in 20 years’ time?
I always try to avoid planning my whole career out, as every day brings its surprises and for all I know tomorrow could spark the biggest change yet. And, as I mentioned earlier, training to be a CA was a welcome surprise for me! One thing I do know is that I hope to be back in the office after COVID with my colleagues, having progressed further within my organisation, with me being able to look back knowing that I have enjoyed the previous five years of my life.
At the end of your career, what would you like to be remembered for?
I think there are two things that I would love to be remembered for: firstly, I would love to be remembered for being successful in my own right, having had an influence on the businesses I worked with; secondly, I would like to be remembered as someone who people enjoyed working with, as someone who took the time to help others develop and as someone who helped them to achieve their goals as they helped me achieve mine.
Ryan Greaves, Victor McDougall Prize
When did you decide you wanted to become a CA?
I actually started studying accounting in sixth form. I found out then that it was something I could understand quickly, which spiked my interest. I really committed to accountancy by studying it at university and enjoyed spending a placement year in a finance team.
What’s your biggest ambition in life (professional or personal)?
It's really a combination of both in that I want to be able to have a fulfilling and successful career, but also be able to enjoy my personal life. Work–life balance will be a big part of this, but I do try to prevent myself looking too much into the future.
What have you found most challenging about your CA training?
Exam stress! I often have tight deadlines at work to meet but that type of stress doesn't compare to exam stress. It's so important to be able to find effective ways to manage it otherwise you instantly have a disadvantage when it comes to the real exams.
What have you enjoyed most about your CA training?
I have met a lot of people in the past two and a half years, both clients and colleagues, but it was always nice during study leave to be able to meet up with friends who you might not have seen for a while.
Have you managed to maintain a good work-life balance and/or keep up with any hobbies and interests while going through your training?
Setting goals in the working day and managing time effectively is so important. With no clear goal of what you are going to complete in a day and how you are going to do it, you can quickly get stuck down an endless tunnel of work.
Do you have any advice for others who are studying at ICAS?
Similar to before, managing exam stress, managing time and working hard. Study periods can pass by very quickly so it's important to make the most of them. Tutors will have good advice on how best to spend your study time.
Where do you want to be in 5 years’ time (in terms of your professional career)? How about in 20 years’ time?
I am always open to new opportunities so it is very hard to say where I will be and what I'll be doing, but the main thing I want is to be fulfilled by my career. We spend too much of our time working to not enjoy our careers, so this is what's most important for me for my future career.
At the end of your career, what would you like to be remembered for?
I would like people to remember me as a person. It's important for me to be able to develop professional relationships for the good of my career, and I would like people to remember me for not only being good at my job but also someone they respect as a person.
To access the full list of our recent TPE prize winners, visit https://www.icas.com/students/test-of-professional-expertise-tpe/tpe-exam-prizes