Hi, I’m Kate and I work as an Audit and Accounts Semi Senior at MHA. My journey into accountancy has not followed a traditional path, but it is one I am incredibly proud of. Every step has shaped who I am today and has shown me that it is never too late to change direction or to build a future you believe in.
Education Journey
"I moved to Aberdeen from Poland eighteen years ago in search of a better future. In the years that followed, I worked in a range of roles, including as an optical assistant and in administration within care homes. After twenty years away from the classroom, I decided it was time to return to education and pursue something that offered long term stability and growth."
Studying at Northeast Scotland College (NESCol) and completing my HND in Accounting was a huge step. Balancing coursework with being a mum and managing family life pushed me well outside my comfort zone, but it also showed me that I was stronger and more capable than I realised.
One of my proudest moments during that time was winning the MHA Excellence in Accounting Award. The award, sponsored by MHA, is selected by NESCol tutors and recognises not only academic results but commitment and perseverance. It gave me the confidence to believe that I truly belonged in this profession.
A Meaningful Start to MHA
After graduating, I applied for a graduate role at MHA in their Aberdeen office. At the time, neither MHA nor I knew that I had won the award. After I was offered the graduate role, NESCol contacted the firm to let them know who had received the MHA Excellence in Accounting Award they had sponsored. That moment made everything feel full circle and became an exciting and meaningful start to my journey at MHA and the beginning of my accountancy career.
I am now proud to be working as an audit and accounts semi senior. Progressing within the firm has been both exciting and motivating. I genuinely enjoy working at MHA. The team is supportive, encouraging and invested in helping each other grow. Feeling valued and trusted has played a huge part in building my confidence. It is something I appreciate every day.
Giving Back
Alongside my career, I am passionate about supporting the local community. I volunteer with Olio, helping to collect and share surplus food to reduce waste and support people who need it. It is incredibly rewarding to contribute in a small way to protecting the planet while helping others.
What I enjoy most about my role is the variety. Working across both audit and accounts means no two days are the same. There is always something new to learn, always a new challenge and always something that pushes me to grow both technically and personally.
Giving back reminds me why creating a better future, for ourselves and for our communities, really matters.
Looking Ahead
Returning to education after two decades, building a career in a second language and balancing work with being a mum have all brought challenges. But resilience, determination and the support of those around me helped me keep moving forward.
If I could share one message with other women, it would be this:
It is never too late to change direction. Your journey does not have to look like anyone else’s. Every experience you gain builds the strength you will need for the future.
I hope my story encourages others to believe that with hard work, purpose and the right support, you can create opportunities at any stage of life.
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