This is an honest account of my journey to complete my final 4 ACCA exams.
I graduated with a 2.1 Hons in Accounting and Finance from Brighton university providing me with nine exemptions towards my ACCA qualification. This left me with the final four exams to complete to qualify to become a chartered accountant.
When I graduated I remember thinking ‘perfect! 4 exams, I can do this in 1 year maybe even in 6-months.’
Oh, how wrong I was. 2 years on, I have still not completed a single exam. It has started to feel like a dark cloud over my head and that I cannot move forward in my career until I complete this.
Working while studying has been my biggest challenge and I’m truly in awe of everyone who is able to complete their ACCA exams and hold down a full time job!
When it comes to work I always take on more than I can chew. If it means working longer hours to complete a task I will do it even if it means missing lessons in the process. The work has to get done, right?
I have always prioritised my work over my studies and plays a big part in why I have not moved forward in my goal to be qualified.
The dedication has paid of and I’m proud of the work I’ve achieved. I’ve been promoted and learnt a lot in my role but this has been at the cost of my exams.
Looking back, I should not have applied for a senior role with additional responsibilities. Instead I should have made studying my priority however at the time I felt like I couldn’t let the opportunity to progress (and get paid more) pass me by.
I have now attempted the SBL exam two times, sadly without success. This March will be my third attempt and I want to give it everything.
I want 2021 to be the year l qualify. Being qualified will not only allow me to go further in my career, it will finally end this nagging feeling that I am not good enough. Many people have told me that qualifying is just some extra letters by your name and your skills learnt on the job is more important but it means so much to me to qualify.
I have booked my SBL exam for the 2nd of March.
58 days away.
I will post weekly updates to share my progress. I hope we can motivate each other so please comment below and share your journey. I’d love to hear from you!
Thanks for coming on the ride.
Hey Clem.
I look forward to reading your ACCA journey till completion of the last 4 papers.
As you mentioned work and study is extremely HARD. I am not working yet I find the exam pressure ALREADY burdensome…
I will come here for comfort during the days before exams.
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I think once you get a plan in place that is realistic and you can stick to. You will do so well!
ACCA is very hard don’t let people foul you it is, regardless how many set back we have got to keep pushing.