Accountancy apprentice Matthew Alvarez balances his work and studies with training as a skeleton bobsled athlete. He shares how meticulous planning is helping him reach his Olympic and ACA goals.
Juggling work, studies and a social life can be challenging, but accountancy apprentice Matthew Alvarez has added another element to the mix - training as a skeleton bobsled athlete. Over the next few years, the ACA student at Oakensen Chartered Accountants is hoping to both qualify as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and for the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps.
Matthew's journey in skeleton began as he neared completion of a degree in sports and exercise science at the University of Bath in 2023. Originally a sprinter, the university’s sport coaches spotted Matthew’s potential in skeleton and encouraged him to try out. “They reached out and said ‘Do you want to try this?’ And I went through an extensive trialling process,” he recalls.
It was also at this time that he accepted the role at Oakensen. Matthew had decided he wanted to keep his sporting interests on the track, rather than pursue a career in the sector, which soon led him to accountancy. “The profession was never something I had really considered,” he says. “But when I looked into it, I saw the benefits, and I realised it would be really useful for my career.”
Now two years into his apprenticeship, Matthew is confident he made the right decision. “There’s a stereotype that accountancy is just numbers, but from the moment I started, I realised how much has been automated, and that accountancy is really about providing a business partner perspective and providing recommendations,” he says. “It’s much more critical thinking around ‘What are these numbers telling me?’”
There’s a stereotype that accountancy is just numbers… It’s much more critical thinking around ‘What are these numbers telling me?’
Planning for success
Matthew keeps on top of the demands of working life and sporting life with precise organisation. "I've got a calendar that I update every week which is broken down into half hour segments, and I basically live by it," he says. His days start at 5am and typically finish around 8pm. "Pretty much every half hour between those two time points is planned."
The key to managing busy periods, such as exams, lies in this consistent preparation. "The importance of ‘little and often’ is magnified tenfold," Matthew explains. "I don't have the time to cram study at the end of an exam period, so I'll always start studying pretty much as soon as I get the materials, even if that's before I start any class tuition."
Matthew finds that this approach to studying and exam revision minimises stress and ensures thorough understanding of the content. "It helps me get enough volume under the belt, so that regardless of what kind of question comes up, I've more than likely seen something similar,” he says. “It means that there's no question that can throw me majorly off track."
There’s space for a social life, too: “If I don’t have time for friends and family, it means I’m working too hard. Whether it’s a couple of hours on the weekend or going for a coffee, I'll always fit something in - to make sure that I’m making the time.” It also helps that Oakensen and the University of Bath are friendly environments, with Matthew making the most of opportunities outside of training and work to socialise with his colleagues.
I’ll always start studying pretty much as soon as I get the materials… It means there’s no question that can throw me majorly off track
Communication comes first
Critical to Matthew’s success is support from his coaches as well as his employer. The two collaborate on managing his schedule, particularly around busy periods. “I’ve got a meeting with my strength and conditioning coaches next week,” Matthew explains. “I’ve got two exams coming up, so we’re going to manage my training structure as a result.”
Oakensen have been just as supportive, allowing Matthew to take leave when he is competing internationally and then return between seasons to work on building his professional skills. “They’re super flexible and encouraging,” he says. “I remember I accepted the job in August 2023 and then two days later I got a call inviting me to the ten-day trial camp in Latvia. I had to call my new boss and move my start date.”
Clear and ongoing communication between Matthew, Oakensen and the University of Bath has allowed this degree of flexibility to be achieved. “We all get together in one meeting to discuss how we can structure things to optimise my personal calendar,” he explains. “We keep those communication channels open so everyone’s always on the same page.”
We all get together to optimise my personal calendar. We keep those communication channels open so everyone’s always on the same page
The years ahead
Matthew estimates that finishing his ACA Advanced Level exams next summer as planned will free up around 16 hours per week in his diary. This extra time will be split between the completing remaining parts of the ACA qualification and supporting Matthew’s entry to racing in the Skeleton World Cup - an important step in qualifying for the 2030 Winter Olympics.
Most recently, Matthew was invited to attend a Team GB weekend in Edinburgh as a potential Olympic athlete, allowing him to experience the country’s broader Olympic programme firsthand. “I got to see how Team GB brings all the athletes together - not just skeleton - and creates a sense of ‘Team GB’ as a group,” he says. “It was really interesting to see that side of it.”
Witnessing the University of Bath team prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina has also provided valuable inspiration to tackle the challenges of the next few years. "It's an incredible environment,” Matthew explains. “All the staff and the athletes are incredibly motivated and focused on the target.”
With qualifying as an ACA and entering ICAEW membership on the cards for late 2026 or early 2027, everything is lined up to give Matthew the best chance of success as a chartered accountant and as a professional athlete.
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