MA Economics 2021 From Aberdeen to Chartered Accountant and Business Owner
Your Time at Aberdeen
Why did you choose to study at Aberdeen? I am originally from the Czech Republic, and my sister, who was already living in Aberdeen and studying at the University of Aberdeen, played a big part in my decision. It was actually during a trip we took together to Sri Lanka that we got talking about my future, and she encouraged me to consider moving to Scotland and building my life there. That conversation sparked everything.
Why did you choose your particular course? Having already studied at a business academy in the Czech Republic, continuing with Economics felt like a natural progression. It aligned perfectly with my passion for economics, finance and accounting, subjects I had always enjoyed and wanted to develop further at degree level.
What did you most enjoy about your time at Aberdeen? Did you have any particularly memorable student experiences? One of the most memorable aspects of my time at Aberdeen was the University's stunning campus which is particularly beautiful in autumn. I also loved the international atmosphere and the opportunity to meet people from countries all over the world. A highlight was taking part in an employability course where I had the chance to work with a real Aberdeen business on a project to create a food waste map - a hands-on experience that gave me a real taste of applying my studies in practice.
If you were involved in any clubs and societies as a student, what did you enjoy most about them and what benefit do you think they have for students? I joined the Czech and Slovak Society which was a wonderful way to connect with people from my home country and neighbouring Slovakia. I also volunteered at the Zero Waste Shop in the Students' Union Building which I really valued, not only for the cause itself but because it introduced me to students from completely different degree programmes that I would not have otherwise met.
If talking to a group of prospective students, what advice would you give them to help them make the most of their time at the University of Aberdeen? Make the most of everything the University has to offer, including clubs, societies, Erasmus opportunities, and simply being open to making friends wherever you go. A large part of my studies fell during the pandemic, which made connecting with people genuinely difficult, so if you have the chance to be on campus and get involved in person, do not take it for granted.
Did you undertake any co-curricular activities while at Aberdeen, e.g. Aberdeen Internships, Career Mentoring, STAR Award? I was proud to achieve the Gold STAR Award during my time at Aberdeen. The award encouraged me to reflect on the skills and attributes I had developed outside of my academic studies and helped me articulate them clearly to future employers. It was a valuable reminder that the experiences you gain beyond the lecture hall, through volunteering, societies and work, are just as important as your degree.
Your Time After Aberdeen
What was your first job after graduating from Aberdeen? Accounts Assistant with John Clark Motor Group. It involved managing day-to-day bookkeeping and bank reconciliations, putting the skills I had gained through my Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) studies to immediate use. This included processing payments, invoices, income and receipts, entering data into accounting software and filing hard copies. I was also responsible for paying vendor invoices, tracking bank account balances and recording any inconsistencies to help the wider accounting team resolve inaccuracies.
What is your current role? I run my own accountancy practice, working directly with business owners to support them with tax, compliance, bookkeeping and accounting. The role allows me to combine my technical expertise with a genuine passion for helping small businesses navigate the complexities of tax and finance, making sure they feel informed and confident rather than overwhelmed.
Please briefly describe the journey from your first job after graduating to where you are now After graduating, I was determined to build a career in accountancy. Following a few rejections, I landed my first role as an Accounts Assistant at John Clark Motor Group, where I developed a solid grounding in bookkeeping, accounts payable and receivable, and the fundamentals of accounting practice.
After nearly a year and several AAT exams passed, I was ready to take the next step. I secured an Associate Accountant position at Subsea 7, where I took on greater responsibility, communicating with cost centre managers to plan, monitor and advise on financial performance, explaining complex financial information to non-financial colleagues and building bottom-up annual budgets and reconciliations.
From there, I was headhunted to join CNOOC as a Logistics Accountant, later progressing into an Operations Accountant role. It was during this time that I completed my CIMA qualification and became a Chartered Accountant. Reaching that milestone made me reflect on what I truly wanted from my career. I had done a lot of work on understanding myself and my personality, and I realised that while I love working with numbers, I also have a strong creative side that corporate roles did not always allow me to express. That realisation led me to take the leap and open my own accountancy practice, doing what I love on my own terms and working directly with the business owners I wanted to help.
Was your degree at Aberdeen essential for getting to where you are now? If so, in what way? Absolutely. My degree was a fundamental stepping stone in getting to where I am today. Both Subsea 7 and CNOOC required a minimum 2:1 degree as part of their entry criteria, so without it I may never have secured those roles. Beyond the qualification itself, studying at Aberdeen helped me build experience, develop professionally through the courses available, and gave me the platform to launch my career in accountancy.
One Top Tip
Please share your one top tip that you think is most important for our current students or recent graduates that will help them when starting out on their career paths. Make the most of every opportunity the university puts in front of you, whether that is clubs and societies, mentoring, the STAR Award or Erasmus. But above all, follow your dream. It took me several years to get to where I am today, so trust the process and keep going. Your network is your net worth. People genuinely want to help, so never be afraid to ask. The connections you build can open doors you never expected.
