Update - 24th March 2026
Hi All, a quick update on my journey so far. Alot has changed, for the better.
So, throughtout my journey and from my rates of resists you will see that i am struggling with my ACCA exams. I put alot of it down to my bad habits and my lack of motivation when infact a major factor was something else. My work! Since starting my role, over 10 years ago, i had received little to no support from my employer. Even the contractual agreement of my exams being paid for and some study leave was a struggle to demand at certain points.
I just couldn't understand how others could manage to work fulltime and manage to pass their exams, all whilst dealing with everyday life. So, i was adament it was my wiring. I put more and more pressure on myself on top of the the everyday life pressures and the never ending pressures of work.
The end result? a number of mental breakdowns, physical health deteriorating, constant exhausion and stress and anxiety. Combined with doing 3 people's job role and fighting to preserve the time given to me under my training contract to qualify as an Accountant. All this on top of the personal issues i've been having.
When i first started at this employment i was happy of finally having a hands on approach to working on accounts and tax. Small practices/one-man band practices normally work like this. The broad experience and ability to just get on with the work has definitely helped me grow in my experience. However, the endless challenges been thrown at me and the constant roles/tasks being added to my already busy workload made it impossible to function sometimes.
Eventually, this has lead to me walking out, after yet another breakdown. I have already booked my exam in June 2026 for ATX. My purposes now is to focus all my energy into this exam, whilst recovering from permanent exhausion and anxiety. My employer, who has a habit of doing this, was trying to push me out anyway. I had rejected his 'suggestion' of taking on board an inexperience person, who would be self-employed, and ineffect train her up whilst i had a backlog of work i was expected to get out and 4 major jobs lined up one after another. This as expected wasn't liked. My employer then tried to convince me how this would be great career move for me! Long story short, my qualification and exams were not a concern or priority.
It took me along time to realise i have zero self-worth and confidence. I was terrified of leaving my job part way through my exams and going elsewhere. I feared i would be looked at as inadequate and lazy amongst other things. How wrong was i!
It took me a week to recover from severe exhausion. After arguing with my employer and handing my notice in on the weekend and accepting a subsequent offer for compassionate leave for a week, i got an email accepting my offer to resign. I was confused by this and tried to email my employer back to clear up the confusion. I had to response back, so i decided to go into work. It became apparent very quickly that i was no longer wanted anymore. So, i happily walked away. I decided to take some annual leave due to me as i couldn't function with the work demands anymore, this lead to a further argument/disagreement. At this point i stated that i quit. I couldn't do this to myself anymore. And the lack of consideration of my health made me realise that i've been taken advantage of for a very long time. A breakdown was being normalised as some sort of emotional argument.
I decided to look for jobs and secured 3 interviews, 2 of which i am waiting on an offer for. 1 which i had an offer:
The world is actually a happy place!
My workplace was toxic!
I am more experienced than i thought i was!
I am charasmatic! All 3 interviews i interviewed well and had positive experinces in!
My exams are the final hurdle in reaching my next career milestone!
My mind and body need 2 weeks of rest and sleep to recover!
My confidence and self-worth has increased since i took a stand for myself!
I am currently in a local cafe as i type this. I am going to make a plan to get some studying and chores done today. I've rested and whilst resting was attending interviews and now i feel calm and confident enough to focus on learning again. I am also, gaining my excitement back for studying ACCA. My concentration was affected alot by the above. Another reason why i couldn't absorb much information when it came to studying. I was also exhausted by the time i would sit down to try to study.
I wanted to make this post as the accounting and tax industry is very competitive and cut-throat. Anyone posting a plain sailing easy journey of their qualification is quite frankly not being truthful, not for the most part anyway. It's important to be in working environment that is supportive. ACCA is a tough body and it doens't help if your employer is just as tough to work for.
There is always light at the end of the tunnel, you just had to have faith in yourself.