Become a Chartered Accountant

There is more change happening in Chartered Accountancy education right now than at any point in the profession's history. In this episode, Sinead Fox-Hamilton is joined by Ian Browne, Director of Education at Chartered Accountants Ireland, to step through it all.Ian explains how the ACA syllabus has been transformed for the modern workplace, with AI, data analytics, automation and sustainability now sitting alongside the technical core, and why skills such as critical thinking, professional scepticism and systems thinking matter more than ever. He shares the story of how the Institute became one of the first professional bodies in the world to move to fully online exams, how adaptive learning is giving every student a personalised pathway through their studies, and what the new modular structure, with three intakes a year, means for anyone planning their route into the profession.Ian also shares his advice for anyone considering the ACA, and why he believes accountancy, as the language of business, is the best possible launchpad for any career.Find out more at becomeacharteredaccountant.com

In this episode, Emma Lericque, ACA, CPA shares her non-linear route to becoming a Chartered Accountant: qualifying first as an Accounting Technician, then studying through the Flexible Route while raising two young children and working for her father's insurance brokerage, where she helped steer the high-stakes sale of the family business.She reflects on the confidence knocks of returning to the job market, the mentoring and support from Chartered Accountants Ireland that helped her find her feet, and her work today as a Financial Accountant at Dublin City University. Her advice for anyone unsure of their path: feel the fear and do it anyway, because becoming a Chartered Accountant opens all the doors.

In this episode, Sinead Fox Hamilton speaks to Ruth McLoughlin, Chartered Accountant, tax adviser, business consultant and fashion rental business owner, about building a career on your own terms. Ruth reflects on her journey from Deloitte and international tax into senior in-house roles, before launching her own consultancy and stepping into retail entrepreneurship with Happy Days. A standout moment comes when she shares the striking statistic that 1.7 million sequined garments are sent to landfill after Christmas, highlighting the sustainability mission behind her business. Warm, practical and energising, this episode is full of insight on entrepreneurship, confidence, travel and why investing in yourself can open unexpected doors.

In this episode, Sinead Fox Hamilton sits down with Iarfhlaith Ó Domhnaill, a chartered accountant whose career now spans film, television and music production, including work on Other Voices. From training in a small Dublin firm to working in KPMG and later moving into media, Iarfhlaith shares how the qualification gave him the grounding, resilience and credibility to follow a creative path. One of the standout moments is when he describes chartered accountancy as “the great enabler”, a foundation that can open doors well beyond traditional roles. Honest, thoughtful and full of personality, this episode is a powerful reminder that chartered accountancy can be a springboard into the industries you care most about.

In this episode of the Become a Chartered Accountant podcast, Sinead Fox Hamilton talks to Pamela McCready, President of Chartered Accountants Ireland for 2025/26 and Chief Operating Officer of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Pamela shares a career journey that has taken her from KPMG into senior leadership roles across health, audit and policing, and explains why chartered accountancy is about much more than technical ability. One of the most powerful moments comes when she describes the profession as “very much part of a family”, a reflection on the community, support and belonging that can shape a career for life. Thoughtful, honest and wide-ranging, this episode explores leadership, global opportunity, public interest and the future of the profession.

Nifemi’s career didn’t start in accounting — in fact, she studied science at university before discovering her true passion at a graduate careers fair. In this inspiring conversation, she shares how she made the leap into Chartered Accountancy, topped national exams, and built a thriving career that blends finance, content creation, and mentoring. Along the way, Nifemi busts myths about the profession, explains how her skills are transferable across industries, and offers practical advice for students on networking, balancing work and study, and embracing discomfort as a path to growth.

From growing up on a family farm to leading his own accountancy practice, Shaun McGlade’s journey shows the power of hard work, adaptability, and vision. In this episode, Shaun reflects on the lessons learned from his parents’ business, the importance of making numbers “real” for clients, and the leap of faith it took to leave a secure job to start SMC Ltd. He shares how the Chartered Accountancy qualification opened doors, why flexibility matters for both students and professionals, and how running his own firm has brought unexpected rewards — from hiring staff to shaping the future of his community.

Tom has used the freedom of movement that Chartered Accountancy has given him to travel the world and to make friends in places like Bermuda, New York, the Netherlands and Cyprus. He has also used his qualification to pivot from finance to sustainability, where he makes a very real difference.