Motivation | Break through
"I overcame dyslexia to set up my firm"
Grace Hardy MAAT found traditional learning pathways challenging, but by pursuing a more practical route into accounting through an AAT apprenticeship, she is now running her own practice
Traditional teaching methods didn’t work that well for Grace Hardy, who is, in her own words, “very dyslexic”. So, upon leaving school at the age of 18, she chose to do an AAT apprenticeship rather than continuing her studies at university.
Today, just two years after finishing her apprenticeship, she has her own successful accountancy practice – an achievement she feels would not have been possible had she followed the university route.
Apprenticeship appreciation
“I wouldn’t be where I am now if I’d gone to university instead of doing an apprenticeship,” says Hardy, 22. “University graduates come out with all the theoretical knowledge but none of the practical experience you get as an apprentice, which is so important.
“Studying via an apprenticeship allowed me to build up the power skills I need, such as communication, leadership and problem solving, to run my own business. There’s no way I could have done it without the opportunities my AAT apprenticeship gave me.”
From adversity to achievement
Hardy’s severe dyslexia meant she didn’t have an easy ride at school, but that didn’t stop her carrying on after her GCSEs. She simply taught herself A-Level economics, history and politics.
“I didn’t go into school much after I’d done my GCSEs. I studied at home instead,” she says. “I preferred to home study because that way I could learn in a way I knew worked for me.”
Once she had finished her A-Levels, however, an apprenticeship seemed a more natural choice than a university degree, so she started an AAT apprenticeship with Mazars, a large accountancy firm based in London.
“Obviously with my dyslexia, English has never been my strong suit,” Hardy says. “But I’ve always liked numbers because I find them methodical.”
She spent the next 18 months working at Mazars while doing her AAT Level 3 and 4 qualifications. But once she was qualified, she knew going it alone was the right path for her. So, at the age of just 21, she set up her own accountancy firm.
“I’ve always wanted to be self-employed,” Hardy adds. “I was that weird kid who sold sweets in the playground at school, so when I realised I could use my AAT qualification to set up my own business, I thought I’d start with that.”
Using social media
Just a year or so later, Hardy Accounting has between 40 and 50 SME clients on its books. “I have built up my client list using social media,” Hardy says. “I mainly use TikTok to find clients. I do it by posting accounting tips and tricks on there.”
In fact, the business is doing so well that she has had to take on extra help. “I generally work remotely and do most of it myself, but I have a couple of contractors who do some work for me at times,” she adds. “And as I’m based in London, I do sometimes go into central London to meet clients who want to see me face to face.”
“I was that weird kid who sold sweets in the playground at school.”
The best part, though, is that she really loves her job. “I love working with numbers but I’m also a big people person, so I love working with clients too,” Hardy says. “My main focus is working with SMEs run by other young people like me, which is lovely.
“Accountancy has a reputation as a bit archaic but, for me, it’s not. It’s just a great way to combine those two sides of my personality
STARTING UP
‘Be brave enough to take the leap’
“The scariest thing is starting,” Hardy says. “Lots of people say they want to start their own businesses, but they never actually get round to doing it.
“My main piece of advice to AAT students keen to be their own boss is simply to be brave enough to take the leap.
“I would also encourage them to reach out to other professionals who are already doing what they want to do because the knowledge and experience those people have will be so helpful.”
As well as running her own accountancy practice, Hardy has a podcast called The Unconventional Podcast, which is available on Spotify and YouTube. She also recently set up an online academy, unconventionalacademy.co.uk, which aims to help other young people learn how to set up their own businesses. On top of all that, Hardy is working with AAT to lobby the government to introduce legislation that will improve financial education in schools.
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