Building success: meet Amy Coster ACA

Amy Coster ACA knew where her passions lay from a young age, having watched her father navigate a leadership role in housebuilding and construction. The path to get there herself, though, wasn’t immediately clear.

"I knew from when I was 10 that I wanted to work in housebuilding. I watched my dad and thought ‘That’s exactly what I want to do.’ I want to take charge and lead." she explains. “At the time, however, the industry was known as being challenging for women, so I wasn’t sure how to get started.”

The answer came at school, where Amy discovered her interest in the precision of financial work when studying accountancy. “I loved that everything had to be correct - that you had to balance things and that everything had a right or wrong place to go,” she says. “I had a great teacher and she encouraged me to study accountancy at university.”

While completing her degree in Accounting and Finance at the University of Glasgow, Amy also discovered the people side of accountancy: “As I got into university, I really enjoyed the more analytical side of finance and helping people that might not be as financially literate. It started to open up all these doors - how do you change things to make life easier for people who need support?”

Finding community

After university, joining Taylor Wimpey’s finance graduate scheme helped bring Amy’s interest in housebuilding and accountancy together in one role. She had initially expected to begin her ACA training in practice, until a friend sent the job opportunity her way.

“I applied on a whim, knowing I had another job offer on the table,” explains Amy. “As I was interviewing for the role, and speaking with people at the organisation, I realised it was the perfect opportunity at a company that really cares about people.”

One challenge, however, was being the first and only finance graduate at Taylor Wimpey’s Paisley office. There were two others based in England - which helped - but Amy soon realised she would have to be proactive in building her network and accessing broader support during her studies.

“It was harder than I thought,” she says. “I would meet people at the Edinburgh exam centre as well as making connections with other students online. LinkedIn was really useful and helped me chat with others.”

Amy also took a strategic approach to completing the qualification, ensuring that she was prioritising her time during busy periods. “You’ve really got to think, ‘Can I afford to go to that party on Saturday?’ And, if you go, then you need to dedicate Sunday to learning,” she explains. “I really enjoy studying but there’s so much content in the ACA that you can’t be an expert on everything. You have to be happy with where you get to.”

Giving back

Having qualified as a chartered accountant, Amy is passionate about inspiring the next generation of students, particularly when it comes to encouraging women to join housebuilding and construction.

“When I go to careers events, I make it known to the parents and students that I am a chartered accountant and I work in construction. Nothing can stop you,” she says. “I’m doing a lot of work with schools in Scotland to explain that girls do belong in construction and we also belong in finance.”

During her four years with Taylor Wimpey, Amy has seen significant changes in gender equality in construction: “When I first started and I was out on site, no-one would be disrespectful, but you could feel that it was unusual. We now have female site managers and a number of female apprentices on site and in the office across all departments. We’re pushing the gender norms of where people ‘belong.’”

When it comes to those currently pursuing the ACA qualification, Amy’s advice is to stay the course. “Yes, it’s difficult - but that makes the reward so much sweeter,” she says. “Don’t give up because you never know where your career as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant will lead.”

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