Human Too Podcast is a show about the human side of the accounting profession. Hosts from Accountancy Hub talk with industry leaders, qualified accountants, coaches and education professionals about their career journeys and the challenges they have overcome. Episodes cover exams and exam failures, wellbeing, inclusion and career development. They also look ahead at what the future of the finance industry and the wider business world might look like.
Episodes
Episode 42 with Jag Dhaliwal ACA (Founder of Success Subtext & Career Coach)
Hannah speaks with Jag Dhaliwal ACA, an ex-Big Four chartered accountant and founder of Success Subtext, about her seven years at Deloitte, the career break that became a business, and the realities of progressing in the corporate environment. Jag shares practical guidance for early-career accountants on building relationships, managing energy, and developing a growth mindset.Check out Success Sub
Episode 41 with Avivah Wittenberg-Cox (Thought Leader, Author, Consultant)
Hannah speaks with Avivah Wittenberg-Cox about the future of work through the lens of longevity, gender balance, and culture. Avivah shares why organisations need to rethink talent beyond the old career model, how 'Q3' —the years from 50 to 75—can be a powerful and fulfilling life stage, and why businesses that adapt to demographic change will be better positioned for the future. It’s a th
Episode 40 with Edel Walsh (Founder/Exam Success Coach)
Most accounting students and professionals overlook the emotional and mindset hurdles standing between them and exam success — until now! Edel Walsh shares her journey from a Big4 tax career at KPMG to pioneering a niche coaching and accountancy firm support-service supporting trainees with mindset, well-being, and exam preparation strategies. She's the Irish Accountancy Hub (well I'm the
Episode 39 with Gareth John (Director of Policy at First Intuition)
Gareth John is the Director of Policy at First Intuition, with over 20 years’ experience transforming accountancy education and training. Gareth dives into the importance of resilience, the lessons from overcoming mental health challenges, and why asking for help is a true sign of strength.You'll discover three awesome tips for those in their early careers and Gareth's stories of persevera
Episode 38 with Krutika Adatia (Digital Delivery Lead ACCA)
In this episode, Krutika Adatia shares her journey from growing up in India to becoming an accountant and educator in the UK and then Digital Delivery Lead at the ACCA. She discusses the importance of empathy in her professional life, her love for podcasting with 'Journeys with Krutika', and challenging taboos in the South Asian community. Check out her podcast here!Krutika also reflects o
Episode 37 with Rajesh Shah (Fractional Finance Director)
In this episode of the Human Too Podcast, I interview Rajesh Shah, a seasoned finance professional with over 31 years of experience at Costco. We discuss Rajesh's journey from his early career in accountancy to his leadership roles, emphasising the importance of empathy in management, the impact of AI on the accounting profession, and the value of mentorship. Rajesh shares insights from his ex
Episode 36 with Manj Kalar (Public Sector Consultant)
Manj is a consultant in the public sector, having had a varied career spanning 30+ years which has included senior roles at ACCA and CIPFA as well as the civil service. She’s also a CIPFA Apprentice Coach and, as you will hear in this podcast, Manj is a brilliant supporter of trainees as a coach and mentor, drawing on her own experience of sitting exams and navigating the working world. She’s part
Episode 35 with Andrew Fitzsimmons (Commercial Director at Kaplan)
In this episode of the Human Too Podcast, host Hannah Macdonald chats with Andy Fitzsimmons about his unique journey from a chemistry degree to becoming the Commercial Director at Kaplan. Andy shares insights into his career path, the challenges of balancing work and study, and the importance of being authentic and empathetic in both personal and professional life. Tune in to hear about his experi
Episode 34 with Libby Walklett (The Ethical Bookkeeper)
In this episode of the Human Too Podcast, I chat with Libby Walklett, known as The Ethical Bookkeeper. We discuss Libby's journey from her early career in various jobs to becoming a qualified accountant and business owner. We discuss many topics including the importance of community, ethics in bookkeeping, and the challenges faced in the accounting profession. Libby reflects on her achievement
Episode 33 with Nikki Richmond (Tax Exam & Career Coach)
In this episode I talk to Nikki Richmond, who is a Tax Exam Coach (on the AH platform), Career coach & Accounting, Maths & VAT Tutor! She’s also a Voiceover artist and she’s hosted a radio show. After many years’ experience working in tax advisory at PwC (and a year teaching ACA) Nikki has turned her skills and experience towards coaching and training tax professionals so that they can thr
Episode 32 with Zoe Tanner (Founder & CEO of Sytrus)
Zoe Tanner is Founder and CEO at Sytrus, and a dabbling Angel Investor. Zoe, decided not to go to university and instead studied AAT then went on to complete her ACCA studies. In this episode we discuss exam fails, apprenticeships, becoming an entrepreneur, angel investing, the gender VC investment gap and more!
Episode 31 with Matt Adamson (Burnout Coach)
Matt Adamson is a Burnout and Career Coach, and features on the Accountancy Hub platform. He specialises in helping professionals achieve success sustainably in all areas of life, with his 20 years of corporate experience, most recently as an Executive Director at UBSIn this episode, Matt shares his personal experience with burnout, noting symptoms can be subtle and often go unrecognised. He refle
Episode 30 with Ben Wilson (ACCA Expert Tutor)
In this episode, Ben Wilson shares his career journey to becoming an an ACCA Expert Tutor with his own tuition business focusing on helping students pass the Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) exam. We chat about the challenges of balancing work and study, the key to success in ACCA exams, and the significance of networking and seizing opportunities in one's career. We also explore Ben's recent AD
Episode 29 with Natasha Weller (Career Coach)
In this episode, we chat to Career Coach Natasha Weller, who shares her journey from a corporate career to coaching. Natasha discusses the importance of workplace culture, how to navigate job hunting, and common themes she encounters with her coaching clients, including career confusion and setbacks. She emphasises the need for intentional career choices and the value of understanding one's ow
Episode 28 with Andrew Mower (ACCA AFM Tutor)
In this episode, host Hannah speaks with Andrew Mower, an ACCA AFM tutor with a background in forensic accounting at PwC. Andrew shares insights on the pressures of early career life, the importance of mindset for exam success, maintaining a work-life balance, and the realities of parenting while pursuing a career in accountancy.
Episode 27 with Dr Jim Rogers (Education & Business Consultant)
Dr Jim is an education and business consultant. He specialises in 'resilient' leadership development, organisational culture and performance. He is a Principal Education Advisor for Education Development Trust, a Senior Advisor for Independent Economics, Director of his consultancy services and co-founder of The Great Oracy Toolkit.Themes in this episode: learning theory, polyvagal theory
Episode 26 with Mary Gernon ( Associate at EY )
Mary is an associate at EY, specialising in both audit and consulting within the Commodities sector.
Prizewinner at the inaugural EY Foundation Enterprise Competition in 2024, and in 2025 taking on the additional role of Corporate Responsibility Lead in London, she is determined to use her position as a force for good.
With an Arts background (professional oboe player!), Mary has found the world o
Episode 25 with Tom Clendon (ACCA SBR Online Lecturer and Podcast Host)
In this episode we chat to Tom Clendon, ACCA SBR Online Lecturer and Podcast Host. Themes include:
Top tips for passing ACCA exams
His dyslexia diagnosis
Treating your job like an extended job interview
Burnout and saying 'no'
His varied career which has taken him all over SE Asia
Episode 24 with Max Whiteley ACA (Product Domain Expert at DEXT)
After finishing school at 16 years old Max started an accountancy apprenticeship with a small accountancy proactice in Altrincham. He studied AAT and then went on to become an ICAEW chartered accountant. After working as a member of their accounts team for six years he moved to UHY Hacker Young in Manchester as a senior member of their Cloud team. In the summer of 2021, Max moved to Accounts &
Episode 23 with Andy Murray MAAT (Accountant & Mental Health Advocate)
Andy is an AAT & ICB qualified Accounting professional. He has over 10 years of related experience and is currently studying towards his CIMA qualification.
Andy is a huge advocate of the AAT and actively involved in supporting students and members in his spare time. He is also on the committee for his local branch network.
Andy is passionate about raising awareness for Mental Health, ED&
Episode 22 with Francesca McClory (MD of Future Cloud Accounting)
As a single mum of two, Francesca decided 13 years ago that she wanted to create a better life for herself and her children so she went back into education to study her AAT Level 4 and trained at a top accountancy firm.
Francesca is the Founder and Managing Director of Future Cloud Accounting. She is also a Director and Trustee of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).
Some of the the
Episode 21 with Gill Whitty-Collins (Author of Why Men Win at Work)
If women have equal leadership ability, why are they so under-represented at the top in business and society?
Find out in this special episode with author, consultant and NED Gill Whitty-Collins.
Website
https://gillwhittycollins.com/
LinkedIn
http://linkedin.com/in/gillwhittycollins
Instagram
https://instagram.com/gillwhittycollins
@gillwhittycollins
Twitter/X
https://twitter.com/gwhittyc
Episode 20 with Gary Bandy (CPFA, Author and Consultant)
Gary Bandy has been a chartered public finance accountant since 1990. His career was mostly in local government and included 3 years as the Chief Finance Officer of a metropolitan council.
Gary has also taught public financial management at several universities in the UK as well as sharing his expertise with civil servants in places, including Rwanda, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, and Kazakhstan.
He is
Episode 19 with Jeff Narweh (Accountant at the Premier League)
"Football's Chartered Accountant". ACCA Accountant Jeff Narweh talks to us about hitting rock bottom during his journey to qualification, how to secure a role at the Premier League and what it means to have a growth mindset.
Episode 18 with Sunny Yang (EY Apprentice in Corporate Tax Advisory and ICAEW/CTA trainee)
Sunny Yang was the youngest and first ever Chinese Chair of the Chartered Accountants Student Society of London (CASSL). He's currently working in Corporate Tax Advisory at EY under an apprenticeship and studying to be an ICAEW chartered accountant and CTA!
We discuss apprenticeships vs university, the importance of mental and physical health, what it means to be an accountant and how he’s fac
Episode 17 with Sarah Beale (CEO of AAT)
In this episode I talk to Sarah Beale who is CEO of the accountancy qualification AAT (the Association of Accountancy Technicians).
We discuss what it means to be a leader, workplace culture, inclusion and diversity and, as usual, the future of the accountancy industry.
Episode 16 with Deborah Harris FCA (Non-Executive Director and founder of Lean In UK)
Deborah has over two decades of board level leadership, chairing audit committees for many notable organisations.
In 2016 she founded Lean In UK Network - growing from six women to over 8,000.
She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and became the first black person to chair the London association in its 152 year history.
Sexism in the City: https://c
Episode 15 with Camilla Rogers (Founder of Fifty50)
Camilla Rogers is the Founder of Fifty50 Coaching which partners with organisations wanting to invest in their people and their mental health in the same way they do physical health. Fifty50 blends high-performance personal coaching with a wellbeing focus and therapeutic touch.
We chat about why Camilla founded Fifty50 (in part managing a chronic illness alongside a demanding corporate role), how
Episode 14 with Will Holt (Managing Director of Education & Training at ICAEW)
Will Holt is the head of the ICAEW exams! We discuss the importance of inclusion and diversity to the ICAEW, trust in the finance industry and what the future holds for accounting, as well as challenging times in his career. He also gives us his tips for success in ACA exams.
Episode 13 with Priya Mohal (Business and Careers Coach)
From a 10-year Corporate career in Banking, Priya saw that more needs to be done to support women and those from diverse backgrounds to enable them to have fulfilling careers. She now coaches on a range of topics to enable her clients to move ahead confidently and feel empowered in their careers. Hope you enjoy!
Episode 12 with Grace Hardy (Practice Owner, Speaker and Accountant)
In this episode I chat with Grace Hardy of Hardy Accounting! She's a 21 year old accountancy practice owner who started her accountancy career on a school leaver apprenticeship. We talk about not going to university, neurodiversity (dyslexia, ADHD and dyspraxia), apprenticeships during lockdown and being a young female business owner.
Episode 11 with Luke Greasley (M&A Lead at LADbible)
In this episode I talk to the very cool Luke Greasley (M&A Lead at LADbible) about his career journey, moving from practice to industry during Covid, the future of the finance industry and what he'd tell his younger self (spoiler, it's about exams!).
Episode 10 with Ronnie Patton (President of ACCA)
In this episode I speak to the President of the ACCA, Ronnie Patton. We have a lovely chat about his career journey, inclusion in the finance industry and how he copes with challenging times in his life.
p.s Spotify has removed the free music intros/outros so no music in this one! I will be creating my own with my questionable guitar skills...watch this space.
Episode 9 with James Perry (Exam Coach and Accountancy Lecturer)
A totally wonderful conversation with accounting exam and career mentor James Perry. He talks us through his journey to accountancy, his training experience, career advice and some of the main challenges facing the industry.
More info about James here:
James Perry is a respected professional in accounting and finance and is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Ulster.
He offers a range of s
Episode 8 with Caroline Monk (Managing Partner at Beever & Struthers)
We have Caroline Monk on the podcast who is a Managing Partner at Beever & Struthers, a firm of Chartered Accountants specialising in audit, tax and financial planning. She openly talks about how she became an accountant, how she looked after her wellbeing during her accountancy exams and trends she's seeing in the industry. It was a super insightful conversation and we hope you enjoy it!
Let
Episode 7 with Bilal Hussain (Corporate Finance Manager)
In a candid and honest conversation, Bilal Hussain (Corporate Finance Manager) talks about his ACA journey, exam resits, his opinion on exam policies and how he finds some sort of balance in a full-on corporate finance role.
Episode 6 with Janet Graves (Coach, Mentor and ex-BBC Radio Producer)
This is a mentoring special. What is mentoring? Where did it originate? How do you become an effective mentor? Janet Graves is our mentoring expert, and just so happens to be Hannah's mum!
Let us know what you think in the comments.
Episode 5 with Jannice Jones (Neurodiversity Coach)
In this episode I talk to my incredible coach Jannice Jones! She's a neurodiversity and breathwork specialist who coaches entrepreneurs, accountancy trainees and professionals in all sorts of industries. Hope you enjoy!
Episode 4 with Maria Allen-Fernandez (Author and Finance Manager at Amazon)
Today I have Maria Allen-Fernandez on the podcast! She talks about her decision to study the ACA as a school leaver rather than going to university, and her role now as a Finance Manager for a large tech and retail organisation. She's also written a book called ‘The Retail Business Guidebook’ - available on Amazon!
Episode 3 with Aldair Vitoriano (Senior at UHY Hacker Young)
In this episode I talk to the wonderful Aldair Vitoriano who had a tough old journey with the ACA but he's now qualified and building a successful career in corporate finance - go Aldair!!
We discuss how he stayed human during exam periods, the importance of a strong support network and more...
Episode 2 with Harriet Jones (Manager at Grant Thornton)
My good friend Harriet Jones joins me for a chat about ACA exam fails (and what happens after), wellbeing, and life as a People Consultant at a top 5 firm of accountants!
Episode 1 with James Parsons (Senior Manager at BDO)
In this opening episode we discuss ACA exam failures, BPT, and James Parson's financial reporting role at BDO.
