ICAS TPE Student prize winners reflect on their CA training
In this celebratory article, our TPE prize winners share reflections on their CA training.
ICAS would like to offer congratulations to all those who have recently passed the TPE examinations and are now embarking upon their CA careers. The past few years have been challenging in many ways and we recognise that learning 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 of our Students the very best in their future endeavours.
Here, two of our Students who excelled in the 2020/2021 exam diets share and reflect upon what they found most challenging about their training, their aspirations for the future and their advice for future Students.
About out our recent prize winners
Harry Bowers received the Primrose Scott Prize, which is awarded to the candidate at The Test of Professional Expertise whose performance was judged to be first in order of merit (May 2021 diet). Harry also received the ICAS Gold Medal, an annual prize for the candidate whose overall performance was judged to be first in order of merit (November 2020, May 2021 and November 2021 diets).
Klara Williams 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 (November 2021 diet). Klara also received the ICAS 160th Anniversary Prize, an annual prize for the candidate whose overall performance was judged to be second in order of merit (November 2020, May 2021 and November 2021 diets).
Harry Bowers, Primrose Scott Prize and ICAS Gold Medal
When did you decide you wanted to become a CA?
It wasn’t something that I had really planned out at all. I think once I started considering my applications for University I became interested in Accounting and Finance courses, with the only slight connection being that I had taken Business Studies at A Level. From there I realised how important the qualification could be for a career in Finance, and so I guess it just went from there.
What have you found most challenging about your CA training?
I think the exams as a whole are really challenging, particularly the studying beforehand. Some of that studying can be really intense, especially when you are sitting multiple exams at the same time and have lecturers and mocks to deal with, as well as all the additional revision and home study.
What have you enjoyed most about your CA training?
Probably a very similar answer to my fellow Students, but it would be the people that I have met through the CA training. I was also very fortunate that I got the opportunity to spend around 6 weeks in Edinburgh with my friends on the course, as part of the training.
Have you managed to maintain a good work-life balance and/or keep up with any hobbies and interests while going through your training?
This is quite a hard question, as there is definitely a trade-off and it can be really difficult to manage sometimes. For me it often varied throughout the year, depending on how busy I was with work or if I had upcoming exams that I needed to study for. I always found though that I couldn’t concentrate as well without having time to myself, so I tried to keep up with hobbies like playing football as best as I could.
Do you have any advice for others who are studying at ICAS?
I’m not really sure I’m in a position to be giving advice to other people! If I could go back and advise myself though, I would just say to find what works best for me early on and stick to it, both in terms of work and studying. One example is that I felt that I revised really well when I was studying with a partner, and so throughout the revision periods I would often try to work together with a friend.
At the end of your career, what would you like to be remembered for?
I’d like to hope that I’m remembered more for things outside of my work itself! Whether I may be able to help someone personally, or just the connections I make with people in general - I think that is more important to me than how my career looks on paper.
Klara Williams, Archie Hunter Prize and ICAS 160th Anniversary Prize
When did you decide you wanted to become a CA?
At school I was always interested in Maths and Business, this led to me doing my work experience in year 10 of school at an accountancy firm. When I was in college my accounting tutor suggested that I do some work experience and attend open days at both PwC and EY. This is where I learnt more about different opportunities after becoming a CA, and different routes to take. I then applied for the EY Degree at Lancaster University and continued my education there.
What have you found most challenging about your CA training?
The exams are tough and took a lot of work! Luckily, I had base accountancy knowledge from college and university which helped to ease me into CA training, however starting work was still a steep learning curve.
What have you enjoyed most about your CA training?
Lots of the people I have met throughout my training have become close friends of mine, I would never have met these people if it wasn’t for my CA training and the fact we were all ‘in it together’ and supporting each other.
Have you managed to maintain a good work-life balance and/or keep up with any hobbies and interests while going through your training?
My family and I enjoy going for walks and they help to ensure I take time for myself and get out of the house to go out together in the local countryside. I also try to go to the gym a few times a week but this can be tricky in busy season.
Do you have any advice for others who are studying at ICAS?
Make sure you reach out for help when you need it, from your friends, colleagues and family. Keeping on track with studying for the exams was key for me, especially making sure I didn’t leave my revision until the last minute.
At the end of your career, what would you like to be remembered for?
I would like to be remembered for being hardworking and a team player. I would like to help others through their career and give advice where I can.
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