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Student Insights

Welcome to Student Insights

Interviews, guides and features giving you fresh insights, innovative ideas and an inside look at the lives and careers of ICAEW students and members. No matter what stage you’re at in your journey with us, you’ll find content to suit you.

Minyue Ma

Hollywood films and good study habits help me through the ACA

ICAEW student Minyue Ma talks about becoming a chartered accountant in China, and watching classic movies to improve her English.

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Student with backpack

4 tips for independent students — tap into ICAEW support

Not all ACA students start with a training agreement, but there’s a wealth of support on offer from ICAEW for independent learners.

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From our VItal archive

Quality and fairness - The exam works

The head of assessment at ICAEW explains how every ICAEW CFAB and ACA Certificate Level exam is tested and checked to ensure consistency and quality.
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BOSSING IT

People matter just as much as numbers

Daire Keating, managing director, cards, Austria & Ireland at DCC Retail & Oil, shares his five pieces of wisdom for chartered accountants.
Read his story

Latest articles

Laptop and keyboard

Staying zen in the face of exam retakes

Retaking an exam is rarely a pleasant experience, but well structured, thought out revision can make the process less stressful, and ultimately more successful.
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Tips for keeping motivated in lockdown

Rebecca Wight, ICAEW Course Leader and Lecturer in Professional Accountancy, provides her tips on successfully studying online during the pandemic.
Profile of Wee Sheng

Dodgeball gave me the discipline for my ACA

ICAEW Chartered Accountant Wee Sheng Teh is a financial analyst at Royal Bank of Canada in Malaysia. He speaks of his experience juggling more than just studies.
profile picture of Steven Thomas

From Tesco to Downing Street — Steven's story

Steven Thomas embarked on a career change in his 30s, swapping a busy role running a large supermarket for the Civil Service Fast Stream and the ACA qualification.
Graphic illustrating study tips

Stay motivated while studying this summer

Staying focused while you’re working and studying at home during lockdown can be a challenge. Read our 8 tips on how to stay motivated during the summer.
Graphic illustrating what employers want from students

What employers want from new students

Understanding the expectations of your employer will help you make the most of your ACA training agreement and lay the foundations for your future career.
Typewriter, pen, notepad and coffee cup

Free digital training for ICAEW students

Enhance your technology know-how for free via the online courses available to ICAEW CFAB and ACA students from ICAEW and partner organisations.
Mai Thi Hong Nhung, the first ACA qualified accountant in Vietnam

How I stood out in hyper-competitive Vietnam with an ACA

Mai Thi Hong Nhung became the first Vietnamese-born person to start and finish the ACA qualification in her home country. Read her story.
oneyoungworld reop

Attending the One Young World summit changed all our worlds

The annual One Young World summit brings together talented young people. Learn about its impact on the lives of previous ICAEW Ambassadors.
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Adding value and strategic advice: My career with ACA

Beth Staff took a big leap from the Ministry of Justice to cyber-security start-up Tessian. Here's how she’s made it work.
A London cyclist

The accountant getting London on its bike

ICAEW Chartered Accountant Andy Nunn is co-founder of Buzzbike, a subscription bicycle service based in London. Here’s how his accountancy background has propelled him forward.
How to put the I in team

How to put the ‘I’ in team

Being a great chartered accountant isn’t just about the hard skills – you have to be a good team player, too. We asked these business and accountancy experts for their tips on how to excel.

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My career with ACA: Lynn Pamment

After a 30-year career with PwC, Lynn Pamment is the new comptroller and auditor general of Jersey. Here she shares a personal view on her career to date.
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Bossing it with Carol Handa

Carol Handa, chartered accountant and finance director at St Modwen Properties, shares her viewpoints on what it takes to succeed.