1 00:00:01,440 --> 00:00:04,830 Maiki Lynch: Hey, there, I'm Maiki Lynch and I'm an accountant. And 2 00:00:04,830 --> 00:00:07,710 Maiki Lynch: in this series from ACCA, I'm sitting down with some 3 00:00:07,710 --> 00:00:11,759 Maiki Lynch: other accountants and people who work in finance to lift the lid on some 4 00:00:11,759 --> 00:00:14,399 Maiki Lynch: of the common myths you might have fallen for about 5 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:18,600 Maiki Lynch: this awesome career path. This week we are looking at 6 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:22,230 Maiki Lynch: the lifestyle of a career in accounting and finance. Is 7 00:00:22,230 --> 00:00:26,428 Maiki Lynch: it really high stress? Do you have to work all hours? And is 8 00:00:26,428 --> 00:00:30,120 Maiki Lynch: it impossible to have a good work- life balance? Let's 9 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:38,700 Maiki Lynch: find out. This is By All Accounts. Questions about work- life balance are 10 00:00:38,700 --> 00:00:42,360 Maiki Lynch: all the rage these days, especially since the COVID pandemic 11 00:00:42,420 --> 00:00:44,820 Maiki Lynch: changed the way a lot of us work. And in 12 00:00:44,820 --> 00:00:47,759 Maiki Lynch: the finance sector, it's no different. Does a life in 13 00:00:47,759 --> 00:00:52,559 Maiki Lynch: finance really have to involve such sacrifice? I found two 14 00:00:52,559 --> 00:00:55,289 Maiki Lynch: people working in the sector to ask, can you have 15 00:00:55,289 --> 00:01:00,420 Maiki Lynch: a good work-life balance working in finance? First up, Clara Tooth, welcome. 16 00:01:00,570 --> 00:01:01,200 Clara Tooth: Hi. 17 00:01:01,350 --> 00:01:02,610 Maiki Lynch: And Shaun Fenwick, welcome. 18 00:01:02,670 --> 00:01:03,060 Shaun Fenwick: Hello. 19 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:06,299 Maiki Lynch: So I'd like to start off by asking, is having 20 00:01:06,300 --> 00:01:09,749 Maiki Lynch: a good work- life balance, is that important to you? 21 00:01:10,410 --> 00:01:11,729 Maiki Lynch: Clara, can I come to you first? 22 00:01:11,730 --> 00:01:17,160 Clara Tooth: Absolutely. Yes, having a good work- life balance is so important. 23 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:19,650 Clara Tooth: I would say myself, and I imagine a lot of 24 00:01:19,650 --> 00:01:21,990 Clara Tooth: other accountants feel the same, is we work very hard 25 00:01:22,530 --> 00:01:25,049 Clara Tooth: and we put a lot into our jobs. So I 26 00:01:25,049 --> 00:01:27,179 Clara Tooth: think it's very important to have that balance of when 27 00:01:27,179 --> 00:01:30,480 Clara Tooth: you go home, it's home and it's your time, your enjoyment, 28 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:32,610 Clara Tooth: all for you. And I think that helps get the 29 00:01:32,610 --> 00:01:34,950 Clara Tooth: best out of you as well. If you're going all the 30 00:01:34,950 --> 00:01:37,290 Clara Tooth: time and you never give yourself a break, you're not going 31 00:01:37,290 --> 00:01:38,580 Clara Tooth: to be that good at work. You're not going to 32 00:01:38,580 --> 00:01:41,099 Clara Tooth: be working to your best ability. So I think having 33 00:01:41,099 --> 00:01:43,259 Clara Tooth: that balance gets the best out of you and makes 34 00:01:43,259 --> 00:01:45,450 Clara Tooth: you enjoy your job as well. It's good to do 35 00:01:45,450 --> 00:01:47,219 Clara Tooth: something you enjoy and that you love. 36 00:01:47,309 --> 00:01:48,809 Maiki Lynch: Thank you. And, Shaun, can I come to you? 37 00:01:49,500 --> 00:01:52,410 Shaun Fenwick: Yeah, sure. Work- life balance for me is very important. 38 00:01:52,470 --> 00:01:56,550 Shaun Fenwick: I love traveling, going on holidays, seeing friends and family. 39 00:01:56,550 --> 00:02:00,780 Shaun Fenwick: And we've all been in that position where we're overworked, 40 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:04,139 Shaun Fenwick: but that's not sustainable for a long period of time. Yes, 41 00:02:04,500 --> 00:02:07,380 Shaun Fenwick: in accounting there's times of the month where we are 42 00:02:07,380 --> 00:02:11,280 Shaun Fenwick: working longer hours, but you need to find a balance, 43 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:15,660 Shaun Fenwick: that's the key there, where you are happy to sacrifice 44 00:02:15,660 --> 00:02:18,000 Shaun Fenwick: some of your time, but your employer is also happy 45 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:21,719 Shaun Fenwick: to sacrifice some of their time. And it's working both ways, 46 00:02:21,719 --> 00:02:25,950 Shaun Fenwick: so I'm happy to work extra and take some time off, 47 00:02:25,950 --> 00:02:27,869 Shaun Fenwick: and so does my employer. And it's finding an employer 48 00:02:27,870 --> 00:02:31,230 Shaun Fenwick: that's able to give you that opportunity to have a 49 00:02:31,230 --> 00:02:34,770 Shaun Fenwick: comfortable work- life balance. And I think I've found that 50 00:02:34,950 --> 00:02:39,208 Shaun Fenwick: that's very important to me, for sure. I'm currently finance 51 00:02:39,210 --> 00:02:43,169 Shaun Fenwick: manager at Brixton Brewery, which is a craft beer company 52 00:02:43,169 --> 00:02:46,290 Shaun Fenwick: based in South London, in Brixton. What does that entail? 53 00:02:46,290 --> 00:02:49,410 Shaun Fenwick: I guess finance manager, I head up the finance team 54 00:02:49,410 --> 00:02:52,018 Shaun Fenwick: and it's just a small team of us, just myself 55 00:02:52,020 --> 00:02:55,380 Shaun Fenwick: and a finance assistant. We are a subsidiary of Heineken, 56 00:02:55,679 --> 00:02:59,069 Shaun Fenwick: so we work very closely with the team at Heineken 57 00:02:59,070 --> 00:02:59,490 Shaun Fenwick: as well. 58 00:02:59,550 --> 00:03:02,638 Maiki Lynch: That's so exciting. What made you choose that industry? 59 00:03:03,090 --> 00:03:06,750 Shaun Fenwick: Well, originally I started as an accountant in practice working 60 00:03:06,750 --> 00:03:09,840 Shaun Fenwick: for UHY Hacker Young over in Cambridge. And I was 61 00:03:10,110 --> 00:03:14,279 Shaun Fenwick: halfway through my ACCA journey, having sat I guess six 62 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:17,190 Shaun Fenwick: or seven exams at that time. And as an accountant 63 00:03:17,250 --> 00:03:20,518 Shaun Fenwick: working in accounts and tax, I was on the pathway 64 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:25,440 Shaun Fenwick: to becoming a manager and then up to a partner 65 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:30,210 Shaun Fenwick: level, and that was my aspirations at the time. But then 66 00:03:30,210 --> 00:03:34,859 Shaun Fenwick: for me, practice was very compliance- heavy, so I was 67 00:03:34,859 --> 00:03:38,310 Shaun Fenwick: working on accounts and tax for clients, but I was 68 00:03:38,310 --> 00:03:40,890 Shaun Fenwick: quite limited in what extra or added value I could 69 00:03:40,890 --> 00:03:44,280 Shaun Fenwick: add to those clients. Whereas industry on the other hand, 70 00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:48,900 Shaun Fenwick: I'm working in a finance team in- house and really getting 71 00:03:48,900 --> 00:03:52,740 Shaun Fenwick: involved in not just the compliance side of things but 72 00:03:52,799 --> 00:03:55,289 Shaun Fenwick: the business management, looking at- 73 00:03:55,289 --> 00:03:57,719 Maiki Lynch: So you've had a bit more of a breadth of work, working in industry? 74 00:03:57,990 --> 00:04:01,680 Shaun Fenwick: Yeah, exactly. Getting involved in projects and being able to 75 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:06,179 Shaun Fenwick: see what I'm adding, if you like. So being able 76 00:04:06,179 --> 00:04:10,199 Shaun Fenwick: to get really involved in the day- to- day financial 77 00:04:10,199 --> 00:04:13,260 Shaun Fenwick: side of running this business, but then also the future 78 00:04:13,260 --> 00:04:16,860 Shaun Fenwick: planning of the business as well. Being able to help 79 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:20,040 Shaun Fenwick: other departments within the business and watching the business grow 80 00:04:20,099 --> 00:04:23,700 Shaun Fenwick: over time and I really value that, I think it's 81 00:04:23,700 --> 00:04:27,120 Shaun Fenwick: great. Craft beer is a fun and exciting industry. It's an 82 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:31,678 Shaun Fenwick: industry that I've always loved outside of work, so why 83 00:04:31,678 --> 00:04:35,040 Shaun Fenwick: not? And accountancy is a wonderful career path to take 84 00:04:35,279 --> 00:04:37,110 Shaun Fenwick: and it does open up a lot of opportunities. 85 00:04:37,380 --> 00:04:38,909 Maiki Lynch: That's fantastic. I'm going to go to Clara- 86 00:04:38,909 --> 00:04:38,969 Shaun Fenwick: Yeah, sure. 87 00:04:38,970 --> 00:04:41,969 Maiki Lynch: ... and just a little bit about Clara. Where do 88 00:04:41,969 --> 00:04:42,750 Maiki Lynch: you work and what do you do? 89 00:04:43,500 --> 00:04:46,498 Clara Tooth: I'm a manager at a firm called Accounts and Legal, 90 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:50,460 Clara Tooth: and I'm based in the Manchester office. There's kind of 91 00:04:50,460 --> 00:04:54,000 Clara Tooth: two parts to my role. The first part is I 92 00:04:54,029 --> 00:04:57,089 Clara Tooth: hold a team of 12 people, so it's my job 93 00:04:57,089 --> 00:05:00,000 Clara Tooth: to basically make sure everything gets done, everything gets filed, 94 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:03,688 Clara Tooth: we don't miss any deadlines, support the team, develop the 95 00:05:03,690 --> 00:05:06,659 Clara Tooth: team, help with training, checking in with them, making sure 96 00:05:06,660 --> 00:05:10,140 Clara Tooth: they're okay. That's the first side of my role. And 97 00:05:10,140 --> 00:05:14,219 Clara Tooth: then the second side is offering that high- level support 98 00:05:14,220 --> 00:05:17,759 Clara Tooth: and advice for business owners. The team do a lot 99 00:05:17,759 --> 00:05:20,520 Clara Tooth: of the groundwork, they get a lot of the numbers together, and my 100 00:05:20,520 --> 00:05:23,190 Clara Tooth: job is to go and help explain them to business 101 00:05:23,190 --> 00:05:26,040 Clara Tooth: owners and what they mean and how we can make 102 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:29,370 Clara Tooth: differences that will impact and change their lives. But yeah, 103 00:05:29,430 --> 00:05:32,159 Clara Tooth: that's my role in short, quite a lot going on. 104 00:05:32,339 --> 00:05:34,830 Maiki Lynch: That is quite a lot going on. Managing 12 people, 105 00:05:34,830 --> 00:05:37,559 Maiki Lynch: that's a large team. I would call that quite a 106 00:05:37,559 --> 00:05:38,490 Maiki Lynch: large team. 107 00:05:38,670 --> 00:05:41,879 Clara Tooth: Yes, definitely. I've got four assistant managers and I'm very 108 00:05:41,879 --> 00:05:43,800 Clara Tooth: lucky with all of them. They do a great job 109 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:45,570 Clara Tooth: of looking after some of the junior members of staff 110 00:05:45,570 --> 00:05:45,900 Clara Tooth: as well. 111 00:05:46,230 --> 00:05:48,089 Maiki Lynch: Can you tell us a little bit about how you 112 00:05:48,089 --> 00:05:50,309 Maiki Lynch: got there? I presume you've been there for a little 113 00:05:50,309 --> 00:05:51,750 Maiki Lynch: while. Can you tell us a little bit about how 114 00:05:51,750 --> 00:05:53,310 Maiki Lynch: you got that role? 115 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:56,909 Clara Tooth: Absolutely. If we go all the way back to 2015, 116 00:05:57,330 --> 00:05:59,399 Clara Tooth: I'd just left high school, didn't really know what I 117 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:01,950 Clara Tooth: wanted to do. I was pretty good at maths, knew 118 00:06:01,950 --> 00:06:05,339 Clara Tooth: I wanted something that was numbers focused, and just fell 119 00:06:05,339 --> 00:06:08,400 Clara Tooth: into an accountancy apprenticeship really. And it was luck and 120 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:10,410 Clara Tooth: I told myself I'll give myself a month and if 121 00:06:10,410 --> 00:06:12,299 Clara Tooth: I hate it, I'll go to college and if I like it, 122 00:06:12,300 --> 00:06:14,880 Clara Tooth: I'll stick it out. Six years down the line I'd 123 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:17,430 Clara Tooth: just qualified, and that was about two and a half 124 00:06:17,430 --> 00:06:20,219 Clara Tooth: years ago now, so eight and a half years in 125 00:06:20,220 --> 00:06:22,979 Clara Tooth: total. And I've basically just worked my way up bit 126 00:06:22,980 --> 00:06:25,470 Clara Tooth: by bit by bit. Started off as a trainee, then 127 00:06:25,470 --> 00:06:30,209 Clara Tooth: a semi- senior, senior, senior, assistant manager, portfolio holder, and now 128 00:06:30,210 --> 00:06:33,150 Clara Tooth: to manager and client and team responsibility. 129 00:06:33,839 --> 00:06:35,670 Maiki Lynch: That's an incredibly quick journey. 130 00:06:35,699 --> 00:06:35,789 Clara Tooth: Yes. 131 00:06:35,789 --> 00:06:38,880 Maiki Lynch: Congratulations. You came into that straight from school? 132 00:06:39,060 --> 00:06:40,950 Clara Tooth: Yeah, 16, straight out of high school. 133 00:06:41,430 --> 00:06:42,570 Maiki Lynch: Wow, wow. 134 00:06:43,020 --> 00:06:44,700 Clara Tooth: And if I was to go back in time, I'd 135 00:06:44,700 --> 00:06:46,198 Clara Tooth: definitely do it again because it was a lot of fun. 136 00:06:46,650 --> 00:06:51,960 Maiki Lynch: You talked about becoming qualified, so you are a qualified accountant. How did 137 00:06:51,960 --> 00:06:55,290 Maiki Lynch: your exams go? Was it all smooth sailing all the way through? 138 00:06:55,770 --> 00:06:58,830 Clara Tooth: I started off with my AAT, that took around three and 139 00:06:58,830 --> 00:07:02,250 Clara Tooth: a half years, and it was okay. It was challenging. 140 00:07:02,250 --> 00:07:04,380 Clara Tooth: There was things, there was exams that were difficult, but 141 00:07:04,830 --> 00:07:07,230 Clara Tooth: it was okay and I got through them all first time. 142 00:07:07,230 --> 00:07:10,170 Clara Tooth: I then moved on to my ACCA and it was 143 00:07:10,170 --> 00:07:12,839 Clara Tooth: hard work. I didn't have too much confidence in myself 144 00:07:12,840 --> 00:07:16,320 Clara Tooth: back then, I didn't think I'd pass many or if any. But 145 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:19,290 Clara Tooth: I really got my head down, I worked really hard, 146 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:22,349 Clara Tooth: and I managed to pass them all first time. So 147 00:07:22,349 --> 00:07:24,270 Clara Tooth: it was definitely worth it, but it was by no 148 00:07:24,270 --> 00:07:26,909 Clara Tooth: means easy and it was very rewarding at the end. 149 00:07:26,909 --> 00:07:32,520 Maiki Lynch: Yeah, that's after the journey for a lot of people that step 150 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:37,860 Maiki Lynch: up from a foundation qualification to your charter qualification can 151 00:07:37,860 --> 00:07:40,800 Maiki Lynch: sometimes feel like a step up. I presume you were 152 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:42,300 Maiki Lynch: working at the same time as studying? 153 00:07:42,509 --> 00:07:44,730 Clara Tooth: Yep. I would work four days a week and then 154 00:07:44,730 --> 00:07:46,619 Clara Tooth: I'd get one day week study leave as part of 155 00:07:46,799 --> 00:07:49,770 Clara Tooth: the apprenticeship. And on that day I'd go to college 156 00:07:49,770 --> 00:07:52,080 Clara Tooth: and then you'd have to study in evenings and weekends 157 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:54,630 Clara Tooth: as well. It was a lot of hard work, especially 158 00:07:54,630 --> 00:07:57,060 Clara Tooth: the closer you get to exams, it's every evening and 159 00:07:57,540 --> 00:07:58,379 Clara Tooth: every weekend. 160 00:07:58,530 --> 00:07:59,489 Maiki Lynch: And do you feel it was worth it? 161 00:07:59,730 --> 00:08:02,429 Clara Tooth: Definitely. If I went back in time, I'd definitely do 162 00:08:02,429 --> 00:08:02,969 Clara Tooth: it all again. 163 00:08:03,389 --> 00:08:05,910 Maiki Lynch: Do you remember how you celebrated when you did qualify, 164 00:08:05,910 --> 00:08:08,250 Maiki Lynch: when you got that charter status, the letters after your 165 00:08:08,250 --> 00:08:11,160 Maiki Lynch: name, do you remember what you did or if you celebrated? 166 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:15,869 Clara Tooth: We got our results at midnight, so I think the day that 167 00:08:15,870 --> 00:08:18,210 Clara Tooth: I qualified I didn't particularly sleep at all that night. 168 00:08:18,750 --> 00:08:21,599 Clara Tooth: I just think I was so over the moon. Yeah, I didn't 169 00:08:21,599 --> 00:08:25,200 Clara Tooth: do anything big or crazy. But yeah, I was just 170 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:28,350 Clara Tooth: really happy, and lots of celebrations with family and friends. 171 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:30,420 Clara Tooth: Long time coming, it felt like by the time I 172 00:08:30,420 --> 00:08:33,330 Clara Tooth: got there, but it was a really, really good feeling in the moment. 173 00:08:33,870 --> 00:08:35,759 Maiki Lynch: Shaun, can I come back to you because I didn't 174 00:08:35,759 --> 00:08:38,549 Maiki Lynch: actually touch upon where you are in your studies or 175 00:08:38,549 --> 00:08:40,979 Maiki Lynch: if you're qualified. Where are you in your journey at the moment? 176 00:08:40,979 --> 00:08:45,420 Shaun Fenwick: Yeah, sure. My journey started very similarly to Clara's, although I 177 00:08:46,050 --> 00:08:48,598 Shaun Fenwick: stayed at school and did my A- levels, so studied 178 00:08:48,660 --> 00:08:50,790 Shaun Fenwick: maths in the first year of my A- levels, and 179 00:08:51,059 --> 00:08:55,289 Shaun Fenwick: maths was always a strong point of mine. So naturally 180 00:08:55,620 --> 00:08:59,100 Shaun Fenwick: I thought, " Let's start a career in accountancy." I started as 181 00:08:59,100 --> 00:09:03,120 Shaun Fenwick: an apprentice, working for a company called Bidwells at the time. 182 00:09:03,480 --> 00:09:07,710 Shaun Fenwick: They had a client accounting team and that was in 183 00:09:07,710 --> 00:09:12,630 Shaun Fenwick: their agricultural division, so I worked with lots of landowners, 184 00:09:13,349 --> 00:09:16,468 Shaun Fenwick: contract farmers, and as you can imagine, it was a 185 00:09:16,469 --> 00:09:17,970 Shaun Fenwick: box full of receipts and manually- 186 00:09:19,650 --> 00:09:19,829 Maiki Lynch: Are they all there? 187 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:25,200 Shaun Fenwick: Yeah, exactly. My first role in accounting was very junior 188 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:28,199 Shaun Fenwick: as well, and then decided, okay, I want to become a 189 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:30,959 Shaun Fenwick: chartered accountant. So I was weighing up my options and 190 00:09:30,960 --> 00:09:34,080 Shaun Fenwick: decided what do I want to have this accountancy qualification 191 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:37,050 Shaun Fenwick: and I want to be an all- rounded accountant, if 192 00:09:37,050 --> 00:09:40,890 Shaun Fenwick: you like. Hence, why I chose ACCA. Started my journey 193 00:09:40,890 --> 00:09:44,250 Shaun Fenwick: with ACCA also under an apprenticeship scheme, so I was 194 00:09:44,250 --> 00:09:47,159 Shaun Fenwick: working four days a week, one day out at college. 195 00:09:47,250 --> 00:09:50,129 Shaun Fenwick: I was sitting exams once every quarter at that time 196 00:09:50,700 --> 00:09:54,180 Shaun Fenwick: was getting first- time passes for the first year or 197 00:09:54,330 --> 00:09:57,690 Shaun Fenwick: two whilst I was under the apprenticeship program. And then 198 00:09:58,620 --> 00:10:02,639 Shaun Fenwick: I decided, move away from being an accountant, let's go 199 00:10:02,639 --> 00:10:04,920 Shaun Fenwick: and work in an industry such as craft beer, which is 200 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:07,348 Shaun Fenwick: where I'm now. And at that point I no longer 201 00:10:07,349 --> 00:10:10,740 Shaun Fenwick: got the study support, so I was studying myself in 202 00:10:10,740 --> 00:10:13,799 Shaun Fenwick: the evenings and on the weekends. And that was difficult, 203 00:10:13,830 --> 00:10:15,570 Shaun Fenwick: that was really tough. I did fail a couple of 204 00:10:15,570 --> 00:10:21,208 Shaun Fenwick: exams, but resat them, got through them eventually. And recently, 205 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:24,179 Shaun Fenwick: in December, I sat my last exam. I'm waiting on 206 00:10:24,179 --> 00:10:27,870 Shaun Fenwick: the results so I'm not, well, could be fully qualified, 207 00:10:27,929 --> 00:10:29,458 Shaun Fenwick: I might not be, we'll wait and see. 208 00:10:30,029 --> 00:10:33,870 Maiki Lynch: That's really exciting. That's it, so you're waiting on the message to come 209 00:10:33,870 --> 00:10:36,120 Maiki Lynch: through. Will you be staying up on Sunday night? 210 00:10:36,210 --> 00:10:39,120 Shaun Fenwick: Absolutely, yep. It's always a difficult one. It's like do 211 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:43,320 Shaun Fenwick: I stay up and hope for the best or do I go 212 00:10:43,530 --> 00:10:45,330 Shaun Fenwick: to sleep and just check it in the morning? But 213 00:10:45,450 --> 00:10:47,160 Shaun Fenwick: if you do that, you're going to have a sleepless night. 214 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:48,660 Shaun Fenwick: But if I stay awake I might have a sleepless 215 00:10:48,660 --> 00:10:49,828 Shaun Fenwick: night, who knows, so yeah. 216 00:10:50,340 --> 00:10:51,450 Maiki Lynch: Will you let us know how you get on? 217 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:53,760 Shaun Fenwick: Yeah, definitely. For sure. Yeah, it's been a long wait, 218 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:55,770 Shaun Fenwick: it's a six- week wait for the results. 219 00:10:55,770 --> 00:11:01,979 Maiki Lynch: Yes. If you pass, what are you going to do, what's the celebration that's been planned? 220 00:11:02,910 --> 00:11:03,420 Maiki Lynch: Are you going to work on Monday? 221 00:11:03,420 --> 00:11:08,218 Shaun Fenwick: I haven't got any plans yet. I will be working on Monday. I think it'll be 222 00:11:08,220 --> 00:11:11,520 Shaun Fenwick: the weekend after where celebrations will begin. We'll see, friends 223 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:17,309 Shaun Fenwick: and family, just probably go out for a meal and some drinks and yeah, we'll 224 00:11:17,309 --> 00:11:19,440 Shaun Fenwick: be in full celebration mode, for sure, hopefully. 225 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:22,230 Maiki Lynch: Clara, I'm going to come back to you. So in 226 00:11:22,230 --> 00:11:25,050 Maiki Lynch: your current role, how do you feel your work- life 227 00:11:25,050 --> 00:11:27,478 Maiki Lynch: balance is and can you tell us just a little 228 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:29,309 Maiki Lynch: bit about your work- life balance that you have? 229 00:11:29,458 --> 00:11:33,780 Clara Tooth: Yeah, absolutely. In terms of work- life balance in my role, 230 00:11:33,809 --> 00:11:37,680 Clara Tooth: there definitely is a balance. My job is nine- to- five, 231 00:11:37,710 --> 00:11:40,109 Clara Tooth: although it isn't always nine- to- five. There are definitely 232 00:11:40,109 --> 00:11:42,720 Clara Tooth: times where sometimes I have to stay late and things 233 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:47,370 Clara Tooth: are due and that's that. But on the flip side, there 234 00:11:47,370 --> 00:11:51,030 Clara Tooth: is a lot of rewards to that kind of job. 235 00:11:51,690 --> 00:11:54,478 Clara Tooth: For example, where I work at moment we've implemented something 236 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:57,210 Clara Tooth: called Friyays, and that's where you get to do a 237 00:11:57,210 --> 00:12:00,328 Clara Tooth: full day week and take Friday off. So we do 238 00:12:00,330 --> 00:12:02,578 Clara Tooth: longer four- hour days and then a full Friday off. 239 00:12:02,850 --> 00:12:05,520 Clara Tooth: Every Saturday and Sunday is off so the weekends are mine. 240 00:12:05,790 --> 00:12:08,220 Clara Tooth: I do not work on weekends or bank holidays, that 241 00:12:08,220 --> 00:12:11,699 Clara Tooth: is my time. And things like Christmas I get completely off, 242 00:12:11,700 --> 00:12:14,610 Clara Tooth: finish on the 22nd, went back on the 2nd of Jan. 243 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:16,859 Clara Tooth: And for me I think that's quite a good work- 244 00:12:16,859 --> 00:12:20,160 Clara Tooth: life balance. When I take time off, that time is mine. 245 00:12:20,490 --> 00:12:22,500 Clara Tooth: And don't get me wrong, sometimes I do have to work 246 00:12:22,500 --> 00:12:25,228 Clara Tooth: a little bit late and get something done, but there's 247 00:12:25,230 --> 00:12:28,500 Clara Tooth: quite a lot of flexibility. We also have things like flexitime, 248 00:12:28,559 --> 00:12:31,439 Clara Tooth: so I'm not very good at starting work at eight 249 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:33,689 Clara Tooth: o'clock in the morning, so I will start at 9: 250 00:12:33,839 --> 00:12:36,268 Clara Tooth: 30 and work until a little bit later. But other members of 251 00:12:36,270 --> 00:12:39,240 Clara Tooth: the team, they like to be in early and home early and that's 252 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:42,030 Clara Tooth: quite nice, you can just fit it around whatever suits 253 00:12:42,030 --> 00:12:43,920 Clara Tooth: you and your lifestyle, and yeah! 254 00:12:46,002 --> 00:12:46,002 Maiki Lynch: Friyay sounds great! 255 00:12:46,002 --> 00:12:46,003 Clara Tooth: Friyays are good! 256 00:12:46,003 --> 00:12:52,379 Maiki Lynch: Friyay and a little bit of flexi sounds incredible. Shaun, how's 257 00:12:52,379 --> 00:12:54,809 Maiki Lynch: your workplace in terms of work- life balance? 258 00:12:55,290 --> 00:12:58,800 Shaun Fenwick: For me it's great. I think everyone has their own work- 259 00:12:58,800 --> 00:13:03,030 Shaun Fenwick: life meaning. For me it's just being able to have 260 00:13:03,030 --> 00:13:06,509 Shaun Fenwick: the time available to see friends and families, go on 261 00:13:06,509 --> 00:13:10,769 Shaun Fenwick: holiday, et cetera, and not being overworked. In the world 262 00:13:10,770 --> 00:13:14,250 Shaun Fenwick: of accounting now there's so many systems that you can 263 00:13:14,250 --> 00:13:18,300 Shaun Fenwick: implement to streamline your work, so for me it's all 264 00:13:18,300 --> 00:13:21,929 Shaun Fenwick: about working smart and not harder, and how can I 265 00:13:21,929 --> 00:13:23,610 Shaun Fenwick: do that to make sure that I've got the most 266 00:13:23,610 --> 00:13:26,400 Shaun Fenwick: amount of free time possible, really. We do work 9: 267 00:13:26,490 --> 00:13:30,420 Shaun Fenwick: 00 until 5:00 but there's no commitment to work any extra hours 268 00:13:30,420 --> 00:13:33,210 Shaun Fenwick: in the evenings or the weekends, so that's my own 269 00:13:33,210 --> 00:13:35,700 Shaun Fenwick: time. We have a good annual leave allowance so I can 270 00:13:35,700 --> 00:13:39,480 Shaun Fenwick: get those holiday trips in. We can also work wherever, 271 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:43,680 Shaun Fenwick: whenever. So we can work remotely, whether that's at home, 272 00:13:43,740 --> 00:13:47,279 Shaun Fenwick: or if you want to book a long weekend somewhere 273 00:13:47,279 --> 00:13:48,001 Shaun Fenwick: and you want to work- 274 00:13:48,001 --> 00:13:48,002 Maiki Lynch: As well. 275 00:13:48,002 --> 00:13:50,250 Shaun Fenwick: ... in a different country, you can, you just need 276 00:13:50,250 --> 00:13:51,750 Shaun Fenwick: a laptop and that's great. 277 00:13:52,140 --> 00:13:56,670 Maiki Lynch: Lovely. And so I think accounting and finance, it does have that 278 00:13:56,670 --> 00:13:59,639 Maiki Lynch: reputation, particularly at the beginning but also when you are 279 00:13:59,639 --> 00:14:02,458 Maiki Lynch: qualified and you are more senior, of being quite hours- 280 00:14:02,460 --> 00:14:04,470 Maiki Lynch: heavy. Have you found that to be the case? 281 00:14:04,500 --> 00:14:07,860 Shaun Fenwick: In a previous role there was quite a big focus 282 00:14:07,860 --> 00:14:11,550 Shaun Fenwick: on billable hours or chargeable hours. Especially in the role 283 00:14:11,550 --> 00:14:13,500 Shaun Fenwick: that I was in at the time it was very much, " 284 00:14:13,500 --> 00:14:16,440 Shaun Fenwick: Right, I just need to sit and work." But throughout 285 00:14:16,440 --> 00:14:20,790 Shaun Fenwick: my time in that role the company shifted its mentality 286 00:14:20,790 --> 00:14:24,599 Shaun Fenwick: from billable, chargeable hours to valuable hours, if you like. 287 00:14:24,630 --> 00:14:26,729 Shaun Fenwick: And it was about getting the work done to a 288 00:14:26,730 --> 00:14:29,370 Shaun Fenwick: high standard and it was up to you to decide 289 00:14:29,700 --> 00:14:33,240 Shaun Fenwick: how many hours you were working. And if you were excelling 290 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:35,849 Shaun Fenwick: and you were putting in the effort, you would be 291 00:14:35,849 --> 00:14:38,549 Shaun Fenwick: rewarded for that, which I think was great. So that 292 00:14:38,549 --> 00:14:40,020 Shaun Fenwick: mindset has changed definitely. 293 00:14:40,710 --> 00:14:46,020 Maiki Lynch: Do you think that happened during the pandemic or do you think the pandemic gave any changes to the way 294 00:14:46,020 --> 00:14:46,170 Maiki Lynch: we work? 295 00:14:46,170 --> 00:14:46,951 Shaun Fenwick: For me it happened before the pandemic. 296 00:14:46,951 --> 00:14:46,952 Maiki Lynch: Before? 297 00:14:46,952 --> 00:14:52,349 Shaun Fenwick: Yeah. The pandemic helped. The pandemic has introduced this idea 298 00:14:52,349 --> 00:14:54,210 Shaun Fenwick: of a four- day working week. There's a lot of 299 00:14:54,210 --> 00:14:58,049 Shaun Fenwick: research to suggest that actually you can do the same 300 00:14:58,049 --> 00:15:00,480 Shaun Fenwick: amount of work in fewer hours, and I think that's 301 00:15:00,480 --> 00:15:03,120 Shaun Fenwick: great. And I think accountancy is one of those roles 302 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:07,770 Shaun Fenwick: where that's evident, you can really demonstrate that. 303 00:15:09,210 --> 00:15:12,389 Clara Tooth: I think from my perspective, I do think there probably 304 00:15:12,389 --> 00:15:14,759 Clara Tooth: was once a time where people were working late and 305 00:15:14,759 --> 00:15:17,699 Clara Tooth: you had to work a lot of hours, but in 306 00:15:17,699 --> 00:15:20,280 Clara Tooth: practice I think there's been a very big change in 307 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:22,890 Clara Tooth: the last, say, five years or so, where technology's come 308 00:15:22,890 --> 00:15:27,510 Clara Tooth: in and we've shifted from everything being, " Oh my gosh, 309 00:15:27,510 --> 00:15:30,510 Clara Tooth: the client's given me something a day before deadline," to it 310 00:15:30,599 --> 00:15:32,670 Clara Tooth: being a lot more electronic. So I feel like you 311 00:15:32,670 --> 00:15:34,559 Clara Tooth: can get ahead of things a lot more and plan 312 00:15:34,559 --> 00:15:38,640 Clara Tooth: better and prepare better, and I found that that's reduced 313 00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:42,000 Clara Tooth: that need almost for excessive working because it's not like 314 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:44,430 Clara Tooth: you've got 10 people who all need everything doing tomorrow, 315 00:15:44,730 --> 00:15:47,910 Clara Tooth: you actually have ... You're able to do things easier and 316 00:15:47,910 --> 00:15:50,549 Clara Tooth: earlier and quicker. You'll hear a lot of accountants talk 317 00:15:50,549 --> 00:15:52,979 Clara Tooth: about this time of year, tax return season, and everyone's 318 00:15:52,980 --> 00:15:56,340 Clara Tooth: working crazy. Well, actually, the way things are going I've 319 00:15:56,340 --> 00:15:58,590 Clara Tooth: found each year it's eased off a little bit more, 320 00:15:58,590 --> 00:16:01,740 Clara Tooth: a little bit more, a little bit more. And we 321 00:16:01,740 --> 00:16:03,990 Clara Tooth: do just seem to be getting into a better system 322 00:16:04,320 --> 00:16:07,410 Clara Tooth: almost. And I think that is allowing also better work- life balance 323 00:16:07,770 --> 00:16:10,109 Clara Tooth: and taking quite a lot of stress off. Compared to, 324 00:16:10,109 --> 00:16:12,209 Clara Tooth: when I think back to when I first started, the 325 00:16:12,209 --> 00:16:13,710 Clara Tooth: amount of things you'd have to get done in a 326 00:16:13,710 --> 00:16:16,500 Clara Tooth: short period of time due to things outside of your 327 00:16:16,500 --> 00:16:19,110 Clara Tooth: control aren't exactly the same now, you do have a 328 00:16:19,110 --> 00:16:22,709 Clara Tooth: lot more control and a lot more ability to reduce 329 00:16:22,710 --> 00:16:23,490 Clara Tooth: that stress. 330 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:26,910 Maiki Lynch: Do you think you can achieve a good work- life balance 331 00:16:26,910 --> 00:16:27,781 Maiki Lynch: working in accounting and finance? 332 00:16:27,781 --> 00:16:31,410 Clara Tooth: I think you definitely can achieve it. And the way that 333 00:16:31,530 --> 00:16:35,310 Clara Tooth: my view on it is, like I said earlier, sometimes 334 00:16:35,310 --> 00:16:37,739 Clara Tooth: you do still have to work late, but you do 335 00:16:37,740 --> 00:16:40,650 Clara Tooth: get that back. So that's where the balance comes, is 336 00:16:40,650 --> 00:16:42,000 Clara Tooth: there is a little bit of give but you do 337 00:16:42,360 --> 00:16:44,280 Clara Tooth: take it back for yourself and you do get to enjoy 338 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:48,810 Clara Tooth: your life and your lifestyle. I feel very lucky, blessed, grateful, 339 00:16:48,810 --> 00:16:51,600 Clara Tooth: all of it, with the lifestyle that I'm able to 340 00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:57,030 Clara Tooth: have. I'm 24, I qualified at 22, and that's pretty 341 00:16:57,030 --> 00:17:00,480 Clara Tooth: young for an accountant. In the summer, so just in 342 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:02,849 Clara Tooth: August '23, I managed to buy my first home on 343 00:17:02,849 --> 00:17:06,208 Clara Tooth: my own and that was an absolutely amazing achievement for 344 00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:09,930 Clara Tooth: me. And I feel very grateful that I was firstly 345 00:17:09,930 --> 00:17:12,330 Clara Tooth: given the opportunity as a 16- year- old to be 346 00:17:12,660 --> 00:17:15,299 Clara Tooth: allowed to become an accountant and work my way up and 347 00:17:15,300 --> 00:17:20,219 Clara Tooth: have all this, and I feel so blessed that when 348 00:17:20,219 --> 00:17:22,888 Clara Tooth: I book time off I can go on holiday. It's 349 00:17:22,888 --> 00:17:24,780 Clara Tooth: very lucky to be able to have a long- term 350 00:17:24,780 --> 00:17:26,970 Clara Tooth: career and know that you're always safe and you're always 351 00:17:26,970 --> 00:17:29,790 Clara Tooth: going to have a nice, steady income, and that will 352 00:17:29,790 --> 00:17:31,560 Clara Tooth: then give you the opportunities to do what you want 353 00:17:31,560 --> 00:17:34,408 Clara Tooth: to do with your life outside of work. And enjoy 354 00:17:34,410 --> 00:17:36,450 Clara Tooth: yourself because we all get up every day, we come 355 00:17:36,450 --> 00:17:38,099 Clara Tooth: to work, when we go home we should be able 356 00:17:38,099 --> 00:17:40,138 Clara Tooth: to do what we want to and what makes us 357 00:17:40,138 --> 00:17:43,109 Clara Tooth: happy. But it is opened a lot of things personally 358 00:17:43,109 --> 00:17:46,800 Clara Tooth: as well. I'm able to do what I want and 359 00:17:46,890 --> 00:17:48,420 Clara Tooth: it's great, I feel very blessed. 360 00:17:48,810 --> 00:17:51,629 Maiki Lynch: Well, congratulations, particularly on you house purchase. 361 00:17:51,929 --> 00:17:52,109 Clara Tooth: Thank you. 362 00:17:52,109 --> 00:17:55,590 Maiki Lynch: You've worked so hard for and it's just really inspiring 363 00:17:55,590 --> 00:17:58,021 Maiki Lynch: to hear, so thank you for sharing that with us. 364 00:17:58,021 --> 00:18:01,230 Clara Tooth: Well, my house definitely isn't a mansion by any means, 365 00:18:01,230 --> 00:18:02,100 Clara Tooth: but I've got my own! 366 00:18:02,101 --> 00:18:03,030 Maiki Lynch: Give it time, the second one. 367 00:18:03,119 --> 00:18:05,220 Clara Tooth: Yeah, I've got some bricks and mortar, it's great. 368 00:18:05,730 --> 00:18:08,340 Maiki Lynch: Shaun, coming to you, just the same questioning from me. 369 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:11,760 Maiki Lynch: What lifestyle has this career path allowed you to have? 370 00:18:13,230 --> 00:18:17,158 Shaun Fenwick: It's introduced me to a lot of interesting people, opened 371 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:20,100 Shaun Fenwick: up a lot of opportunities. Also, for me, I work 372 00:18:20,100 --> 00:18:23,760 Shaun Fenwick: in craft beer, which is a really fun, exciting industry. 373 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:28,559 Shaun Fenwick: We have a taproom, so it means going out to the taproom and 374 00:18:28,559 --> 00:18:31,890 Shaun Fenwick: drinking loads of free beer, which is brilliant, so that's 375 00:18:32,130 --> 00:18:36,418 Shaun Fenwick: Friday evening sorted. And I'm very fortunate enough to be in a 376 00:18:36,420 --> 00:18:38,940 Shaun Fenwick: position where I can go on a number of holidays 377 00:18:38,940 --> 00:18:42,750 Shaun Fenwick: every year, explore the world, live in an amazing city. 378 00:18:42,750 --> 00:18:45,840 Shaun Fenwick: I live in London, which is brilliant. And likewise, I'm 379 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:49,170 Shaun Fenwick: very excited what the future holds. There's so many different 380 00:18:49,170 --> 00:18:51,388 Shaun Fenwick: routes you can take and which I can still take. 381 00:18:51,388 --> 00:18:53,849 Shaun Fenwick: There's so many skills that I can learn and I 382 00:18:53,850 --> 00:18:57,060 Shaun Fenwick: haven't learned. Accountancy is this never- ending cycle, which you 383 00:18:57,060 --> 00:18:59,760 Shaun Fenwick: can just keep getting the next opportunity, or fighting for 384 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:00,540 Shaun Fenwick: the next opportunity. 385 00:19:03,388 --> 00:19:05,339 Maiki Lynch: Do you think, Shaun, that you can achieve or that you have achieved a good work- life balance? 386 00:19:05,340 --> 00:19:09,630 Shaun Fenwick: Yeah, definitely. In my role, I'm responsible for managing my 387 00:19:09,630 --> 00:19:12,449 Shaun Fenwick: own workload as well. For me, I've been in other 388 00:19:12,450 --> 00:19:15,930 Shaun Fenwick: roles prior to being an accountant, where I'm customer- facing, 389 00:19:15,930 --> 00:19:18,540 Shaun Fenwick: for example. I need to be present. I need to 390 00:19:18,540 --> 00:19:22,410 Shaun Fenwick: be there from this hour to that hour. In accountancy 391 00:19:22,559 --> 00:19:24,660 Shaun Fenwick: it is up to me to pick up the work 392 00:19:24,660 --> 00:19:26,398 Shaun Fenwick: when I can and to get it done when I 393 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:29,100 Shaun Fenwick: need to get it done. That will enable me to 394 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:32,430 Shaun Fenwick: juggle my own workload and to achieve a healthy work- 395 00:19:32,430 --> 00:19:33,060 Shaun Fenwick: life balance. 396 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:34,921 Maiki Lynch: Absolutely. That flexibility is- 397 00:19:34,921 --> 00:19:36,179 Shaun Fenwick: The flexibility is key, yeah. Yeah. 398 00:19:36,630 --> 00:19:41,790 Maiki Lynch: Yeah. So, so key. What advice would you give someone 399 00:19:41,790 --> 00:19:44,970 Maiki Lynch: perhaps who is considering a career in accounting and finance? 400 00:19:46,529 --> 00:19:50,400 Shaun Fenwick: Speak to another accountant or more than one other accountant. 401 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:53,790 Shaun Fenwick: Accountancy's such a big, big industry, so try to speak 402 00:19:54,540 --> 00:19:56,638 Shaun Fenwick: to as many people as you can in the industry 403 00:19:56,940 --> 00:20:00,240 Shaun Fenwick: to decide what route you want to take. With accountancy, 404 00:20:00,270 --> 00:20:02,580 Shaun Fenwick: there are so many transferable skills that you pick up. 405 00:20:02,790 --> 00:20:06,630 Shaun Fenwick: So if you do start your career in accounting and 406 00:20:06,750 --> 00:20:10,080 Shaun Fenwick: change your mind, that's not a bad thing, you'll definitely 407 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:14,970 Shaun Fenwick: use what you've learned with ACCA in any career I 408 00:20:14,970 --> 00:20:19,950 Shaun Fenwick: feel. Definitely do your research first and then just go 409 00:20:19,950 --> 00:20:20,190 Shaun Fenwick: for it, I think. 410 00:20:21,150 --> 00:20:24,300 Maiki Lynch: I love that, just go for it. Clara, same to you? 411 00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:27,720 Clara Tooth: My advice would be just do it, literally go for 412 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:30,000 Clara Tooth: it. If you don't like it, that's fine, at least 413 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:33,570 Clara Tooth: you tried. And I would say it's hard at the 414 00:20:33,570 --> 00:20:36,450 Clara Tooth: beginning, so there might be times where you feel like giving up, 415 00:20:36,540 --> 00:20:39,478 Clara Tooth: but just persevere through because by the time you come 416 00:20:39,480 --> 00:20:43,648 Clara Tooth: out the other side, the lifestyle you can have and the opportunities that 417 00:20:43,650 --> 00:20:46,380 Clara Tooth: you can have are amazing. So as much as when it 418 00:20:46,380 --> 00:20:49,410 Clara Tooth: feels hard in the moment, just remember that it'll all be worthwhile. 419 00:20:50,429 --> 00:20:53,099 Maiki Lynch: That's it from this episode of By All Accounts. Thank 420 00:20:53,099 --> 00:20:55,920 Maiki Lynch: you Shaun and Clara for chatting with me today. And 421 00:20:55,920 --> 00:20:58,709 Maiki Lynch: good news, we've heard from Shaun that he did pass 422 00:20:58,709 --> 00:21:02,190 Maiki Lynch: that last exam and is qualified. Massive congratulations from all 423 00:21:02,190 --> 00:21:04,918 Maiki Lynch: of us at ACCA. For a link to watch the 424 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:08,190 Maiki Lynch: video version of this podcast, check out the show notes. 425 00:21:08,250 --> 00:21:11,219 Maiki Lynch: With skills in accountancy and finance you can work in 426 00:21:11,219 --> 00:21:15,900 Maiki Lynch: any business anywhere and turn your passion into an exciting 427 00:21:15,929 --> 00:21:20,760 Maiki Lynch: and rewarding career with an ACCA qualification. You can sign 428 00:21:20,760 --> 00:21:24,928 Maiki Lynch: up to find out more by heading to accaglobal. com/ 429 00:21:25,260 --> 00:21:30,540 Maiki Lynch: beyouanywhere. That link is also in the show notes. See 430 00:21:30,540 --> 00:21:33,869 Maiki Lynch: you next week. I'm Maiki Lynch and this has been 431 00:21:33,990 --> 00:21:37,648 Maiki Lynch: By All Accounts. By All Accounts is a Fresh Air 432 00:21:37,650 --> 00:21:42,869 Maiki Lynch: Production for ACCA. Its lead producer is Eva Higginbotham and 433 00:21:42,869 --> 00:21:46,559 Maiki Lynch: its executive producer is Annie Day, with support from Sarah 434 00:21:46,559 --> 00:21:48,870 Maiki Lynch: Moore. Yohan Forbes is the videographer.