Pictured: Deirdre O’Sullivan

Your name and job title

Deirdre O’Sullivan – Trainee ACCA accountant

Did you start your career as a school leaver or graduate?

I started my career in accountancy later than a lot of my colleagues. After University, I spent two years working and travelling in Australia, I then worked for a couple of years in the insurance industry. I was in my late twenties when I decided that I wanted to train to become a qualified accountant.

What did you want to be when you were at school?

I had no definite career in mind when I was at school, I considered a wide range of University degrees including Primary School Teaching, Business Studies, and Law. I chose Business Economics and Social Studies for my degree, as I thought that it would give a solid foundation for different career options.

What qualifications/training do you need for your role?

You need to complete Professional training to become a qualified accountant. I’m in the process of doing the ACCA qualification. This takes three years to complete and consists of; professional experience in an accounting role, thirteen exams and the completion of Professional Ethics modules.

The training for the job role is all done on the job, and your skillset grows with experience.

What motivates you most about working for Crowe Morgan?

Working as past of a strong team who support each other really helps, you know you can rely on your colleagues, and they can rely on you. Chocolate also keeps the motivation levels high 😊

What are the most important qualities you need in your role?

Attention to detail is key to avoid any errors, and to ensure your work is accurate and can be relied upon.

Time management is also very important. No two days are the same, so if a client needs something done as a matter of urgency, we will always try to work towards that, you therefore must be able to plan and prioritise around other work.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering a career in accountancy?

Go for it!  Speaking from experience, it’s never too late to start a career in accountancy. It opens a lot of opportunities, and the ACCA qualification is globally recognised, so it can take you around the world. I also think it’s a myth that accountancy is all about number crunching, there’s a lot more to it, which makes the role varied and keeps it interesting.

Why Crowe Morgan?

Crowe Morgan is a Platinum status training firm, which ensures you are getting quality training.

As it is a medium sized firm, there are more opportunities to get experience in different areas including accounts preparation, personal tax and client facing, rather than been focussed solely on one area.