Sophie Armstrong has always been drawn to numbers, not necessarily to maths itself, but to the problem-solving that came with it. With various accountants in her family, the choice was obvious: accounting offered the perfect balance between analytical thinking and working with people.
I wouldn’t say I enjoyed maths, but I enjoyed the problem-solving side of it. Accounting felt like the best balance between working with numbers and working with people.
Starting out: a school-leaver route into accountancy
Unlike many of her peers, Sophie didn’t go to university. Instead, she chose the school-leaver apprenticeship route. This gave her hands-on experience while studying for the ACA.
Starting work at a young age brought its challenges. Moving from an environment surrounded by people her own age to being the youngest in the room required confidence, adaptability and resilience.
Having other apprentices around you makes such a difference, you realise you’re not doing it alone.
Why the ACA?
For Sophie, the appeal of the ACA lies in its breadth and flexibility. She values the fact that the qualification keeps options open, whether that’s continuing in practice or moving into industry later in her career.
Working in audit, she’s developed a growing interest in areas like group reporting and financial control. Enjoying the Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) exam more than most, she’s motivated by roles that allow her to work through complex problems and reach clear, structured outcomes.
Balancing work, study and wellbeing
One of the biggest lessons Sophie has learned during her ACA journey is the importance of balance. Managing exams alongside client work can be intense, particularly during busy periods, but she’s discovered that taking breaks and speaking openly about workload is essential.
“Taking a break might sound counterproductive, but it’s the most important thing. It can be overwhelming, especially if you're on a busy client, so don’t be scared to tell people that you're struggling, or that you have exams. Everyone around you has been through it before.”
Her team’s flexibility, including adjusting hours around revision, has helped her find a routine that works for her. She enjoys studying alongside colleagues and peers also studying the ACA, whether in the office or socially, and has found it makes a real difference.
Finding community through student societies
Sophie is Chair of the Chartered Accountants’ Student Society of London (CASSL), and getting involved has been a defining part of her experience.
“It’s the perfect way to meet people in the same position as you, but without the pressure of a work environment. You can talk openly, share experiences, and realise that everyone’s dealing with similar challenges.”
The experience has also exposed her to senior professionals and a wide range of career paths – “we’ve got an event coming up on AI and we've focused on ESG - a lot of topical stuff”– reinforcing just how varied the accounting profession can be.
Being involved in the Student Society has taught me how to delegate and trust other people. It’s been my first real experience of managing people.
Looking ahead
With several exams still ahead, Sophie is focused on continuing her progress and building confidence in her professional abilities.
While she doesn’t have a fixed end goal just yet, she’s excited by the range of opportunities the ACA offers and is looking forward to seeing where the qualification takes her.
Advice to her younger self
If she could go back in time, Sophie would tell herself to speak up sooner and not be afraid to put herself out there.
“Don’t be so shy, the worst thing that could happen is that someone will say no. Joining the Student Society and putting myself out there changed everything: my confidence, my friendships, and my whole experience.”
Advice to future ACA students
Sophie’s advice is simple: go for it.
“There’s no disadvantage to having the ACA. Even if you later decide you don’t want to work in accounting, the skills you gain will stay with you. It keeps so many doors open.”
She believes the qualification equips students with transferable skills that extend far beyond accountancy, offering long-term value, even if career plans change.