Motivation | Distance learner
“I learned English as I qualified as an accounting technician”
In 2012, Dana Henželová MAAT came to the UK from Slovakia without knowing any English. Now AAT Level 4 qualified and studying ACCA, she explains how distance learning enabled her to fulfil her dream of becoming an accountant
Words Marianne Curphey
AT A GLANCE
1
Distance learning can enable you to earn money while studying
2
Time management skills will help you stay on track
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Networking and friendships with other students will keep you motivated
Dana Henželová works as an audit associate at specialist accountants Azets in Gloucestershire, working on the preparation of financial statements for limited companies, LLPs and charities. Fifteen years ago, she arrived in the UK in the hope of learning English and finding a job. Thanks to the AAT distance learning course, support from family and friends, and a lot of hard work and dedication, she has now passed her first two ACCA exams.
“I had studied public administration and regional development at university, and in order to work for the government in that role I needed at least one foreign language,” she says.
“My sister had a PhD in psychology from Slovakia and was living in England with her husband, so I came to live with her. I tried learning English at college but didn’t make much progress, so I hired a private tutor. I started cleaning to earn some money and eventually I set up my own cleaning company.
“That was an interesting experience because I was managing my own books and doing the accounts. I also found it was a challenge to find good employees who want to work – a common problem shared by many small businesses.”
Making a clean break
Her cleaning business was so successful that it was bought out by one of her clients, and Henželová went to work with him in the finance department of his firm. That experience made her think about pursuing a career in accountancy.
“I decided to go back to college,” she recalls. “I completed AAT Level 2 and it was very challenging for a lot of reasons. I didn’t have any office experience and English was not my native language. I self-funded AAT Level 2 in instalments and it took me three years to complete. All the time I was paying for my training by working as a cleaner.”
Having a real career that she could progress in was Henželová’s main motivation, and she kept going despite a number of setbacks.
“When I set off with my AAT studies I knew that in five years’ time I would be on a better salary and developing my professional skills,” she says. “I had studied economics at school and university, so I have always been interested in numbers and finance. My bookkeeping skills from running my own business were also useful.”
The hardest part of her AAT journey was when she didn’t pass the exams the first time. Part of this was due to taking technical exams in English.
“Sometimes it was disappointing,” she says. “I had worked so hard and I used to question what I did wrong. However, the experience did teach me resilience and how to handle stress. I was also really stubborn, which helped me to keep going. Once I had started AAT, I wanted to finish it and I just kept my end goal in mind.”
Work experience
After achieving AAT Level 2, Henželová was keen to get real-life experience. She found a full-time job with ProCook in Gloucester in the accounts department, where she stayed for three years and completed AAT Level 3 as an apprentice. She then moved to the audit department and completed Level 4 via Kaplan, which she studied in person and online.
“With the distance learning, I really liked the combination of some time in college and some time working at home,” she says. “I enjoyed going to college and taking part in classes because I need people around to perform well. I actually found distance learning really challenging when I had to study alone, but it did give me the freedom and flexibility that I needed. I could study whenever I wanted. I am also really lucky that my employer pays for me to study and have time off.”
She says the time management skills she learned from running her own business have served her well when it comes to studying.
“When you are studying, you need to figure out how much time revision and preparation is going to take,” she says. “Time management is such an important skill to develop. The main challenges for me have been the time, the cost of the courses and the language barrier because, at times, it has been hard to sit technical exams which are not in my native language.
“I prefer to study early mornings rather than evenings, so I get up very early and do a couple of hours before I set off to work,” she says. “I also study one day at the weekend as well. Distance learning gives you the freedom to study at the times that are most suitable for you. I use my commuting time to study and practise questions or listen to audio books.”
She then moved to Azets, where she has progressed on to ACCA and has just successfully completed her ACCA Finance Management and Performance Management exams, with the end goal of completing ACCA by the end of 2026. She is excited about her prospects at Azets, which offers lots of opportunity for career progression. She originally applied for an apprenticeship in the accounts department but, as she had already done bookkeeping in her previous role, she was offered the chance to try out audit.
“I found distance learning really challenging when I had to study alone, but it did give me the freedom and flexibility that I needed.”
“In my current role I am doing a lot of field work where you visit the client,” she reveals. “It’s fascinating because every business has something that they do really well and something that could be improved.”
She has also sat on the AAT student advisory board, helping to shape the conversation around AAT’s future, and has made a short film with AAT about managing anxiety around studying and exams.
“Little and often is the best approach,” she says. “It can get really overwhelming when you leave things to the last minute. My experience shows it is possible to achieve your goals – just keep focused and working hard.”
TOP TIPS
Dana’s tips for distance learning
1
Break down your studies into small chunks, such as an hour every day or every other day, so that your goals are achievable and manageable.
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Build a network of fellow students through college, online course, Facebook or your local branch. AAT branches are a great place to find people who love accountancy.
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Whether you pass or fail an exam, reward yourself. If you have worked hard and done your best then you need to celebrate that, shake off your disappointment and begin studying again.
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'I learned English as I qualified as an accounting technician’
In 2012, Dana Henželová MAAT came to the UK from Slovakia without knowing any English. Now AAT Level 4 qualified and studying ACCA, she explains how distance learning enabled her to fulfil her dream of becoming an accountant
Words Marianne Curphey