UK Sectors

Amanda reflects on her career journey, from being the first in her family to attend university to building a successful career in finance. She shares how proud she is of where her ACCA qualification has taken her over the past two decades, why her career hasn't always followed a linear path, and how working with an executive coach helped shape her leadership style. Amanda also discusses the import...

In this candid conversation with Rachel Shorter FCCA, Sophia shares her unique journey to finance leadership, the lessons she's learned along the way, and her thoughts on leadership, resilience and building a successful career on your own terms. Watch the Vodcast Find out more about BDO Find out more about Rachel Find out more about Sophia

Hear from Steven Pink FCCA, Director of Finance & Resources (S151) at Havant Borough Council as he talks to Donna Beddis FCCA about a career which has seen him work across the public sector, starting out in local government and returning to the sector after time spent as the senior lead in the National Covid Vaccination Programme. A strong believer in embracing change and the opportunities it...

Rajiv shares insights from his career journey, reflecting on the experiences, challenges and opportunities that have shaped his path to senior finance leadership. He discusses the evolving role of finance, the growing importance of data and analytics in driving business value, and the skills finance professionals need to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven environment. Alongside his profe...

Vinay reflects on how a planned 12-month sabbatical in Australia turned into six years of professional growth, taking him from corporate accountant to finance leader. He shares what really changes when you step into senior roles, how technology, AI and ESG are reshaping financial services, and why networking and staying curious are essential for building a long-term career in the sector. Subscribe...

Welcome to ACCA's Journey to CFO, in partnership with BDO, the podcast exploring the real stories behind finance leadership. Hosted by Rachel Shorter, each episode features candid conversations with leading CFOs and finance leaders, uncovering the successes, challenges and lessons that have shaped their careers. In this episode, Rachel is joined by Sinéad McCormack, Chief Financial Officer at Medi...

Welcome to ACCA's Journey to CFO, in partnership with BDO, the podcast exploring the real stories behind finance leadership. Hosted by Rachel Shorter, each episode features candid conversations with leading CFOs and Finance leaders, uncovering the successes, challenges and lessons that have shaped their careers. In this episode, Rachel is joined by Cécile Parker, Group CFO at Vital Energi. With mo...

In this episode, Bano candidly speaks about her inspiring journey through the accounting profession and the lessons she has learned along the way.   She reflects on discovering ACCA in Lahore, at a time when very few women were studying ACCA or working in the Big Four outside of administrative roles, and how she made the decision to challenge expectations and help open the door for others.   Bano...

Donna Beddis FCCA speaks to Veena Patel FCCA, Director of Finance at the UK’s leading accident prevention charity RoSPA. Veena shares her journey across sectors to arrive at a place that feels like home, with a clear mission and people working together to bring in around 10 million in grants and membership, training, and consultancy, combining commercial thinking with real purpose.

Hear Owen Davies FCCA, Head of Finance at Transport for Wales and secondee at Pullman Rail, talk to Donna Beddis FCCA about finding resilience in leading through a determination to drive change. As well as being an advocate for the public sector, Owen is also a crusader for being brave and embracing the commercial sector, hunting out value in commercial opportunities to improve the value propositi...

Are your finance and business decisions fully protected against the risks quietly building in your organisation? In this episode, we show how finance teams can work smarter with risk and audit functions to stay ahead. We break down what an effective controls framework really looks like, with practical examples of proportionate controls and insights into the common risks that often slip under the r...

Donna Bedis interviews Veer Parmar, the 2025 UK Public Sector Advocate of the Year, about his work in the NHS. Veer, a finance business partner at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, has been instrumental in promoting innovation, particularly in AI in healthcare, and developing a finance graduate scheme across nine NHS Trusts. He emphasizes the importance of consistency, collaboration, and integrity...

Bridget Foley sits down with Freddie Winter, Senior Finance Consultant at EY, to explore the realities of pursuing the ACCA qualification while working in a Big Four firm.   Freddie shares what sparked his interest in finance and accounting, and how that curiosity evolved into a career at EY.   He brings the qualification to life with a practical example of applying audit and assurance knowledge d...

Varun shares how his ACCA training and experience across the business helped him execute a management buyout, scale and exit his first company, and build a payroll and HR tech business with a clear vision. We explore how AI, real-time payments, and open finance are transforming finance roles, why leaders must manage complexity rather than control, and how the BFSI sector can shift from risk avoida...

James Wright, a senior lecturer at the University of Chichester and runner-up for the 2025 UK Public Sector Advocate of the Year, discusses his digital advocacy for ACCA. His content, which has reached over 20 million views, aims to break down barriers and inspire the next generation. James emphasizes the importance of digital platforms in strengthening communities and shares his strategies for ma...

In this episode, we’re joined by Fran Simpson, who reflects on a 27-year career built on resilience, relationships and a willingness to say yes.   Fran shares how all she ever wanted was to be a “businesswoman” - earning her own money and making her own way in life, and how the variety of experiences throughout her career have shaped the leader she is today. She speaks openly about the power of lo...

The UK corporate sector is changing fast, and finance teams are expected to do more than ever. Are you keeping up? In this episode of Finance Redefined, Alistair Roman shares his insights on the trends shaping the role of accountants in business. He explores the economic pressures and regulatory changes affecting organisations, the skills and behaviours finance teams need to thrive, and how digita...

The Resilient Accountant podcast series is for finance professionals in the UK public, not-for-profit, and health sectors. Deepa Mistry, a runner-up for the 2025 Public Sector Advocate of the Year Award, discussed her role in challenging the UK government's leaseholder loan scheme post-Grenfell Tower tragedy. Mistry, a leaseholder herself, used her financial expertise to expose the scheme's potent...

Welcome to Inside BFSI: voices from across the financial services sector. The series that showcases the stories of professionals shaping the future of banking, financial services, and insurance. In this episode, we sit down with Becky Glover, CFO at Mazuma, to explore her unconventional journey into the finance profession. From starting out as a 17 year old apprentice to becoming a finance leader,...

In this episode, we’re joined by Araib Sultan, Senior Manager at Deloitte, who shares his international career journey across Pakistan, the UAE, and the UK - and the lessons learned along the way. Araib reflects on qualifying with ACCA in Pakistan at EY, moving to the UAE, and eventually relocating to Edinburgh with Deloitte. He discusses how international opportunities often come from having the...

In this episode, Allee Bonnard, UK Managing Partner at Deloitte, shares the story of what brought her to the firm and what’s kept her there throughout her career. She reflects on how the profession is evolving, the realities of audit, and why technology is opening the door to an exciting new era for young professionals. Allee offers candid insight into setting boundaries, stepping into leadership,...