When Liam Downing started his accountancy apprenticeship, he admits he had no idea that becoming a chartered accountant was something he could achieve, let alone being a partner. Now, as a partner at UHY Peninsula in Launceston, Cornwall. He looks back on the lessons for students looking to emulate his success.
Becoming the partner of an accountancy firm might seem like a distant dream when you’re in the midst of your ACA studies, but setting your goals from an early stage, having a clear roadmap and developing relevant skills can all help you achieve this significant milestone – potentially quicker than you might think.
Liam started out as an accountancy apprentice in 2017, working his way through AAT and then studying ACA as a Level 7 apprentice. Nine years on and he is a partner at the firm managing a portfolio that consists almost entirely of agricultural clients across the South West.
Liam saw first-hand what the role of a partner involved, and this made him realise that this was the career direction he wanted. “When I realised that there was the possibility of being a partner in the business, and having more say over what I do, and which clients I work with, I knew then that's where I wanted to get to.”
Always stay open to opportunities
Studying for the ACA marked a turning point in both his career and his ambitions. “Being in a class with other people who were hoping to progress in a similar direction opened my eyes to the opportunities - I found that really motivating.”
But you don't need to know exactly where you're heading on day one
Looking back, he believes his career has been shaped less by having all the answers from the start and more by staying open to opportunities, continually developing his skills and being willing to learn from others.
Have a roadmap
After qualifying, Liam knew he needed two years post-qualification before he could become a partner. “This gave me clear progression to work towards.”
Liam became a partner at UHY Peninsular on 1 July, 2026. “Now I’m a partner, managing client satisfaction, people management or credit control, suddenly aren't someone else's problem. They're my responsibility as well.”
“I’ve been working towards that for quite some time, so it wasn't a huge cliff edge where everything changed. The support I had from the other partners really helped in managing the transition.”
Brush up on non-technical skills
While technical expertise remains essential, accountancy knowledge is only part of the role. Liam says applying that knowledge effectively is what really adds value for clients.
“Clients assume that their accountant can do a tax return, and end of year accounts. The real difference comes from how you apply some of the more technical aspects and guide them through decisions.”
“Every client is different. Some clients need more support, while others are very hot on the technical stuff. Being able to translate that technical knowledge, apply it, and explain it to clients is what makes a great accountant stand out.”
Building skills beyond the classroom
The challenge for those starting out in their careers is translating what you've learned in a textbook to the day-to-day. “Learning the syllabus and the exam technique to pass your exams is one thing. Translating that into the workplace is a different challenge,” Liam says.
For Liam, client interactions and building relationships with clients is a huge part of his role. “For some people, that's not in their nature. Other people will be more technical than I am. It's about finding that thing that you're good at and pushing it. For me, sitting in front of clients is the best part of the job.”
Wherever your career aspirations lie, students would do well to focus on developing the non-technical skills which are increasingly vital to accountants at all stages of their career.
Ask questions
Alongside developing technical expertise, Liam believes one of the most important skills is knowing when to seek support.
“Being an accountant should be about being part of a team and having support around you. Building that internal management is really important. But it’s also about making the most of the people around you who've done it before, or who've seen it before. Ask as many questions as possible and use the resources that are around you.”
Play to your strengths
Liam’s advice is to play to your strengths and proactively incorporate those areas into your day-to-day. “If your skills are better suited to managing staff and helping them develop, make that your role if you can. Similarly, if you prefer the technical side of things, push that. Find out what you enjoy and what you're good at - and go for it.”
Prioritise ongoing learning
Liam says his career experience to date has taught him that the effort involved in forging a successful career in accountancy never stops. Even after your exams there's always more to learn and new skills to develop. You have to be open to new ways of ways of working and new technologies and tools. “As an accountant, there's constant progression and nothing ever stays the same. The sooner you get used to change and coping with that mindset, the better.”
Rise to the challenge
“Whatever you do, you've got to do it properly. Whether it's a task or a challenge or a bit of work or exams you've got to give it your all. Taking the time to do it properly is far better than rushing something through or doing it half-heartedly and then having to spend twice as long putting it right.”
Stay motivated
For those in the thick of their ACA studies, finding your motivation is key to staying on track, Liam believes. Whether it’s setting out a clear career progression, or simply the personal satisfaction of knowing you’re doing something you’ve always wanted to do, focusing on that goal helps to ensure that juggling ACA study, work and other commitments doesn't become a chore.
Personally, it's all about the carrot and the reward - whether it's the success of finishing exams or progressing in your career, making sure you have that is how you get motivated and focused.
Find the right work/life balance
Casting his mind back to his ACA student days, Liam remembers the challenge of finding the right balance of study, revision, and work responsibilities. For Liam, spending time on his allotment gives him the perfect opportunity to switch off.
Work-life balance is tricky, but you need to make sure you spend time doing something that gives you a break. There is a lot of hard work involved, and you've got to find that right balance.
For students starting their ACA journey today, success has a variety of forms. But setting out your career progression with milestones is key to staying on track, Liam believes. “You can spend two or three years doing your exams and it can feel like that’s all you've done so there has to be something else. You've got to keep moving forward. Even if they're small steps, there's got to be progress.”
