"Studying with ACCA gave me confidence and knowledge. In less than one year, I had retrained and got the financial and management accounting job I wanted."

Get a more satisfying job

Meet ACCA-X learner Vanessa based in the UK and South Africa. Let's start at the beginning. She was stuck in a job that didn't inspire her:

"I did an online search for accountancy training - it was that simple. I can't believe how life-changing that search was. In less than one year, I had retrained and got the job I wanted."

Flexible learning

Using ACCA-X, Vanessa took her first steps to changing her situation and she found that studying flexibly with ACCA-X suited her style of learning.

"It was great. I am able to study anywhere - on a plane, bus, at home or at work. I even studied in different countries!"

She started studying with ACCA-X in the UK, but when she had the opportunity of a visit home to South Africa, she took her laptop with her and carried on studying.

"Studying with ACCA-X gave me confidence because I could immediately see my progress. It's a way of studying that really suits me. I absorbed so much, whether it was a half-hour study session on the bus to work or a half day of more concentrated effort."

Computer-based exams

When it comes to exam time, the transition couldn't be easier because ACCA exams are also computer based. Vanessa chose to take her exams when she was in South Africa.

"It just made sense because I had the time to devote to last-minute revision and sitting the exam. It's just as simple to sit the exams in the UK or South Africa and you get your results immediately - no nervous waiting for a letter."

Fulfilling ambitions

The New Year meant a new career. So how has her experience helped her career ambitions?

"It definitely helped me get my current job in financial and management accounting for a start-up. They said I impressed them at the interview with my confidence and knowledge - I put that down to ACCA and ACCA-X. And it helps me on a daily basis to do my job."

Finally, what are Vanessa's plans for the future?

"To keep studying. I want to gain the CAT qualification this year and then progress on to the full ACCA. I'm also keen to get the Oxford Brookes degree along the way and be fully qualified by 2018. I can’t wait!"

Thanks to Vanessa for telling her story, and we wish her the best of luck with her career and ACCA journey.