Determined Alysha Weller is counting on her recent exam success to help her successfully progress her career in a male dominated profession.
Alysha, aged 24, of Nash, Newport combined working full time at south Wales accountancy practice Parker & Co, of Magor, Monmouthshire, with studying at college after leaving school half way through her A levels.
Now, seven years after opting for the world of work over university, the former Hartridge High School, Newport, pupil has got the edge in the profession after qualifying as an accountant.
Alysha, who is also a talented pianist, said it was her grandfather Ray Barnett, owner of Newport-based Titan Carpets, where she worked as a teenager on a Saturday, that set her on her career course.
Alysha said: “It was my Grancher’s influence that pushed me towards accountancy. He knew Gary Parker and Gary was good enough to give me a chance. I had always been very academic in school even though It didn’t come naturally to me. I didn’t want to be burdened with university student debts so took my chance and left school. I loved to learn and worked really hard when given the chance at Parker & Co.
“While working for Gary I went on to study at Coleg Gwent for my AAT qualification (Association of Accounting Technician) I passed this and went on to graduate in the summer of 2009.
“Following graduation and still eager to learn and push myself to the next level I enrolled for ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountant) I sat my last two exams in June this year and have just received my pass results.
“I chose accountancy as it was an option open to me at the time due to my Grancher’s relationship with Gary. I was young and unsure of what to do or which direction to take, but I enjoyed maths and calculations and anything to do with businesses and how they run and decided to give it a go. I was very lucky to have been given the opportunity.
“I particularly like all tax aspects of my job, it is very interesting and it changes constantly so I find it more challenging than the ordinary day to day accounts preparation work. Many people see accountancy as a boring profession but I couldn’t disagree more.
“Studying for the exams was extremely difficult. I feel as though socially, I missed out on so much as a young adult as I had to be very disciplined and study almost constantly for the last five to six years. Working full time during this time put extra strain on me as time was of the essence it involved studying very late in the evenings after work and on weekends.
“The last three years especially have been extremely stressful due to the difficult level of the ACCA exams, my family, partner, friends and Gary were amazing support throughout and their patience, help and belief in me made it all bearable.
“The exams themselves were very difficult, and daunting, but I made sure I had worked hard and revised as much as I possible could so that I could go in to the exam with the mind set of ‘if I don’t know it now, I never will’ this helped calm my nerves.
“No words can describe the relief and happiness I felt when I received the pass results to my final exams knowing that all the hard work had finally paid off.
“Being qualified opens up so many more opportunities in the accountancy profession. It enables a person to earn a lot more money and gives you the edge. You are immediately recognised above someone who is not qualified. It is nice to have the edge, especially in a male dominated profession such as accountancy.
“However, for now I intend to enjoy the freedom. It is so nice to be able to do the things I love without feeling guilty, thinking ‘I should be studying’.
“A passion of mine is playing the piano, I started when I was 12 years old, but this obviously had to take a back seat for the last couple of years. It is such a joy having the time to play again and I am currently study towards my Grade 6 practical exam which I will take sometime in 2013.”
Gary Parker, Managing Director of Parker and Co., said: “Alysha has worked extremely hard over the years for me and also for herself in her studies. It is rare that someone sails through these accountancy exams without failing any of them so she has done exceptionally well.
“Her work is consistently of the highest standard. It has helped that she has been working for me as I do push my staff along a bit in terms of client contact and high level work, particularly in taxation. I am very proud of her. She is and always has been an asset to the business.”