Episode 63

The Importance of Coaching for Accountancy Qualifications

Helen Pretty

Helen Pretty is a CIMA qualified Accountant specialising in Management Accounts within the manufacturing industry. Since her qualification, she has worked as a mentor on the CIMA mentoring programme, supporting and coaching qualifying accountants with their studies and career development.

In 2018, Helen setup her own coaching Business – Pretty Successful Careers – to support and coach qualifying accountants to successfully pass their exams, move up the finance career ladder and get that accounting job of their dreams. Shownotes:

  • More and more people are starting accounting qualifications but not finishing them
  • Accounting bodies are encouraging students to take more accounting qualifications more often
  • The role of a mentor or coach in helping accountants pass their qualification exams
  • The journey from wanting to be an accountant to become qualified, particularly if you are working and studying at the same time
  • The choices accountants have with the different accounting associations and governing bodies
  • Although double entry bookkeeping is less relevant for accountants in an age of automation, the theory of accounting qualifications remains the same
  • What makes a good accountant great and takes them to the next level
  • The difference between going into industry and going into an accounting firm to qualify as an accountant
  • The support packages available for would-be accountants are varied and there is much room for improvement
  • What’s different for women qualifying and being successful in an accounting career
  • What stops managers leaders in industry and accounting firms from helping and mentoring young entrants to succeed in their work and studies
  • How young accounting professionals can take the first steps in reaching out for help and mentoring
  • How you can best support students and qualifiers who are going through their accounting exams
  • The role of confidence in successfully passing difficult accounting exams and what specifically builds it
  • The importance of continued professional development (CPD) for newly qualified accountants
  • Things you can give your qualified accountants if you want them to stay and not to move on
  • Why the finance team is of vital importance in a business, and why the wider perception of the function doesn’t always help
  • How the data driven nature of accountants is sometimes at odds with the need to develop relationships
  • Getting your letters – how qualified accountants can benefit from ongoing career mentoring

Helen Pretty on the BD Academy Accounting Influencers podcast with Rob Brown

As well as a positive and enthusiastic attitude, Helen loves to focus on plans and strategy to make the most of her life, career and personal experiences. She takes every opportunity to travel the world (sometimes with her lovely but slightly crazy cavalier king Charles spaniel) and she always takes her camera with her to capture every moment. Contact Helen directly:

Helen on LinkedIn

Liked your Accounting Influencers Interview with Rob Brown" target="_blank">Helen on email

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Accounting Voices Podcast
Accounting Voices helps people in the accounting world stay relevant visible and vocal. Host Rob Brown interprets trends reshaping the profession and gives listeners insight to build authority influence and a stronger voice in firms and markets.

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Rob Brown

Rob Brown is the founder and host of the Accounting Voices Podcast, the flagship solo show of the Accounting Voices Network. Each episode offers sharp analysis and commentary on the trends, ideas and people shaping the global accounting profession.

Through this Accounting Voices Podcast, Rob helps accounting firm leaders, decision makers and professionals stay relevant and make sense of disruption in areas like AI, automation, M&A, private equity and soft skills beyond the tech. His perspective blends clarity, insight and curiosity, making complex issues relevant and practical for professionals and decision makers across accounting and finance.

He also leads two monthly panel shows, Accounting M&A and Accounting AI, which bring together senior voices to explore consolidation, strategy and the impact of technology on firms and people.

Rob is the author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and a TEDx speaker whose talk The Personal Brand of You has more than 400,000 views. Over his career he has hosted and moderated more than 1,000 conversations with accounting and fintech leaders worldwide.

Based in Nottingham UK, Rob is a stroke survivor living with epilepsy, a black belt in kickboxing, a decent chess player and an average player of four musical instruments.