Rhianna started her career as a waitress and is now studying for the ACA qualification as a Level 7 apprentice at Ashton Gate Stadium, home to Bristol City Football Club and Bristol Bears Rugby Club.
Her move into finance came unexpectedly.
While working as a waitress, she was offered the opportunity to step into a Cash Controller role. From there, Rhianna was offered to start an AAT Level 3 Apprenticeship progressing into an Accounts Payable Clerk role and then continuing her studies to AAT Level 4 Accountancy.
Why she chose the ACA
After completing her AAT, Rhianna had initially planned to become a management accountant. But it was her CFO who encouraged her to take the ACA qualification instead, highlighting the global opportunities it can offer.
If you want to go into accountancy and give yourself the best shot, ACA sets you up for whatever you might want to do, even if you don’t know what that is yet.
Studying for the ACA
Rather than seeing the qualification as “one big mountain to climb,” Rhianna takes each exam as it comes and celebrates every milestone. She encourages other students to do the same, “become an expert in one thing for three months, then move on to the next.”
When studying for her exams, she prioritised her revision schedule by practising the questions from the question bank under exam conditions. “You could know everything in your course notes but if you don’t practice questions, then you won’t know what to do in the exam.”
“ACA exams aren’t about chasing the highest marks, like at school or university. They’re about doing well and passing.” Her advice is pragmatic: if a question is proving too tricky, move on and make up the marks elsewhere.
Why industry?
Working in industry has given her a sense of being part of something bigger. At Ashton Gate, she has an overview of the entire operation – from the cost of grass seed to concert ticket revenue – and, as she puts it, “no two days are the same.”
With such variety, Rhianna finds working in industry gives tangible impact and connection to real-world operations, as well as the opportunity to “feel like you’re underneath the numbers.”
I’ve only ever known industry, but I love being part of something where no two days are the same and you see exactly how the business works from the inside.
How the ACA has built her confidence
With the breadth and depth of knowledge she’s gained through her studies, Rhianna now feels equipped to contribute at a higher level. Each exam has strengthened her confidence, empowering her to suggest new approaches and justify her decisions to senior leaders.
One clear example of this confidence in action was her involvement in a major review and redesign of her organisation’s financial reporting, which was the first in ten years.
Drawing directly on her ACA learnings, Rhianna helped deliver clearer, more meaningful financial data. Her blend of technical expertise and her ability to translate finance for non-finance colleagues played a key role in helping the business move forward.
When I started the ACA, I didn’t expect how much of it would link back to my day-to-day work, but it’s given me the confidence to sit in front of directors and say, ‘I think we should change this.
Getting involved: student societies & a sense of community
As a distance learner, face-to-face interaction and making connections with peers was key. Rhianna joined the Bristol and District Student Society (BADCASS) shortly before attending the 2024 annual ball. She quickly got involved with organising events and is now one of the ICAEW Student Council Reps for BADCASS.
Joining BADCASS has been pivotal for Rhianna, it’s provided her with a sense of community. She values the opportunity to connect with diverse thinkers and the exposure to different routes into accounting.
The student society became essential. If I didn’t reach out, I wasn’t going to have any peers at the same stage of my ACA journey.
It’s also important for Rhianna to represent students working in industry and connect with others across the country. She hopes she can encourage more students, especially those in industry, to get involved.
Career aspirations
For Rhianna, progression is driven by curiosity and saying “yes”. Her long-term goal is to stay open to possibilities and continue growing working within industry, whether that’s in events, hospitality or the music industry. As she puts it:
“If you’d asked me five years ago where I’d be now, I couldn’t have told you, but I’ll take every opportunity you throw at me with a smile on my face.”
Advice to students
Rhianna encourages ACA students to embrace opportunities even if they feel scary, stay optimistic and curious and lean into challenges.
It’s an intensive few years, but the ACA equips you with all the tools, confidence and experience you need for a successful career.
Discover your ACA resources at icaew.com/aca
- From front of house to Finance Assistant: Meet Rhianna
- Future-proofing careers: how the ACA is preparing students for success in an uncertain world
- How to approach a retake at Certificate Level/ICAEW CFAB
- Meet your ICAEW Student Council Chair and Vice Chair for 2026-27
- Exam guide: Tax Compliance and Planning