UK Sectors

Despite being told at 25 that a lupus diagnosis would mean only having 5 years to live and never being able to have children, Janine has beaten the odds to build a 30 year career in the third sector and has three grown up children. Currently working as an elected councillor for Clackmannanshire Council, as well as the CEO of Money Advice Scotland, Janine’s desire to create an impact which makes a real difference in people’s lives is definitely being realised. Learn more about her story in this episode of The Resilient Accountant.

With more than 20 years’ experience across technology, biotech and financial services, Maria has held senior roles including CFO, COO, CEO and Non-Executive Director. She has led businesses through finance transformation, fundraising, M&A, international growth and periods of rapid change. Alongside her career in finance and leadership, Maria also makes time for her creative pursuits, including Pilates, writing and painting. In this episode, she shares her journey to CFO, the experiences that have shaped her leadership approach, and the interests that keep her curious outside of work. Watch the Vodcast Find out more about BDO Find out more about Rachel Find out more about Maria

What happens when the technology is chosen, the transformation begins, and finance has to make it work in the real world? In this episode of Finance Redefined, Clare Elliott FCCA, Group CFO at NetSupport, draws on her experience of leading finance transformation to explore the decisions and lessons behind making digital investment work in practice. She discusses how to identify the problems worth solving, decide where technology can genuinely add value, navigate implementation and bring people with you as the way finance works changes. Clare also tackles a question every finance leader ultimately needs to answer: how do you know whether the investment has actually made finance better? Whether you are considering new technology, leading change or looking to get more from existing systems, Clare shares practical lessons that can help you approach digital investment with greater confidence and make change work for both your finance team and the wider business. Listen now for an honest, practical look at making digital transformation work in practice. Find out more about Clare on Linkedin

Hear from Steph Beeston-Clarke FCCA as she speaks to Donna Beddis FCCA about her determination to use her qualification and knowledge to provide advice and guidance to help others, how her "charity chatter" series seeks to support smaller charities and CICs, how she and her team ensure each others' wellbeing and how her plans for moving to Lanzarote will still involve providing an excellent service to clients, with an extra "chilled" perspective!

Cristina reflects on her journey from starting her career in Romania, where international opportunities once felt out of reach, to becoming ACCA Vice President and Director with KPMG (L&D Lead). Cristina shares how curiosity, discipline and a willingness to embrace opportunities before feeling fully ready helped shape her career, and why she believes the most successful careers are built through small, consistent choices rather than perfectly planned paths. She also reflects on how the Big Four accelerated her professional development, the role ACCA played in opening the door to a truly global profession, and why lifelong learning has remained at the heart of everything she does. Drawing on her experience as both a leader and mentor, Cristina discusses the skills that matter most for today's finance professionals, explaining why technical expertise must be complemented by critical thinking, adaptability, communication and ethical judgement. She also shares why leadership is about listening, helping others find their voice and creating environments where people can grow with confidence. As the first Senior Officer in ACCA's history from continental Europe, Cristina reflects on the importance of representation, giving back to the profession and ensuring accountancy remains trusted, relevant and attractive to future generations. Catch up on all episodes of At the 4 Front: ACCA Voices from the Big 4.    Visit our ACCA Big 4 and Mid-Tier Hub for helpful resources, articles and tools to support your career journey.