For many people looking to build a career in finance, the path to qualification isn't always straightforward. Financial barriers, choosing the right study route, and balancing learning with a full-time job can all make progressing to the next stage feel challenging.

For Amia Hill, receiving a Kaplan bursary gave her the opportunity to continue her studies and keep moving towards her long-term ambition of becoming a chartered accountant.

Here's how her journey has unfolded so far.

Always knowing accountancy was the right fit

Unlike many learners who discover the financial industry later, Amia's career ambitions were clear from an early age.

“Accountancy has been my plan since around Year 10. Before that, I wanted to go into law, but at some point I realised that the financial industry felt like a better fit for me and the way I naturally think.”

After finishing her A-levels in 2023, she joined a regional bank based in the Midlands as a Trainee Management Accountant through an apprenticeship, combining practical experience with her AAT Level 3 studies.

The qualification gave her a strong foundation in accounting while opening the door to a range of career opportunities across the financial sector.

Working in a professional finance environment allowed her to build experience across reconciliations, journals, financial reporting, and audit support, giving her a strong grounding in the financial sector from the very beginning of her career.

As her confidence grew, so did her responsibilities.

She became increasingly involved in treasury-related work before moving into a Treasury Analyst role in April 2025, where she now supports liquidity management, cash positioning, and other BAU treasury processes.

Removing a barrier to progression

After completing AAT Level 3, Amia was keen to continue her studies, but as mentioned earlier, progressing to AAT Level 4 either threatened to delay her plans through longer completion or dealing with extra costs that wouldn't have been manageable at the time. Receiving an AAT bursary changed that.

“The bursary removed one of the biggest barriers to continuing my studies and meant I could study with the provider I felt suited me best.”

Rather than completing AAT Level 4 through another apprenticeship, which would have extended her study timeline and potentially affected her eligibility for funded Level 7 apprenticeship training, the bursary allowed Amia to continue her studies flexibly.

It helped her stay on track towards her long-term goal of becoming a chartered accountant while avoiding additional costs further down the line.

Receiving the news was something she wasn't expecting.

“I was genuinely shocked. I was at work when I saw the email and just had a little smile, almost like finding out you have passed an exam you were not too sure about.”

For Amia, the bursary represented far more than financial support.

“It was nice to feel seen and like my journey was important. It took a lot of weight off my shoulders, and I will always be grateful.”

Building confidence alongside work

Studying independently while working full time requires commitment and organisation.

Although balancing professional responsibilities with revision can be challenging, Amia says having a clear structure and access to guidance has made a significant difference.

“It has definitely been challenging at times, but it becomes more manageable with good support and communication.”

One of the biggest advantages has been being able to apply what she's learning directly within her role.

“Studying alongside work has also helped because I can apply some topics to what I am learning directly to my role, which makes the qualification feel more relevant and worthwhile.”

As her studies have progressed, so has her confidence, both professionally and academically.

Support every step of the way

Throughout AAT Level 4, Amia says Kaplan's support network has helped her stay focused and motivated.

“The support from Kaplan has been really good. There are lots of people you can reach out to if you need help, whether that is about course content, classes, exam preparation, or general study support.”

Regular contact with her progression advisor has also helped her stay on track while managing the demands of work and study.

Most importantly, she has always known support is available whenever she needs it.

“It can be easy to feel like you have to figure everything out on your own when you're balancing studying alongside work and other responsibilities, but Kaplan has made the process feel much more manageable.”

Amia's top study tips

Having successfully balanced full-time work with professional study, Amia encourages other learners to be patient with themselves and make the most of the support around them.

Her advice includes:

• Ask for help whenever you need it - sometimes a different explanation is all it takes for something to click.
• Use a variety of study resources, including mock exam walkthroughs and online videos, to reinforce your understanding.
• Break revision into smaller, manageable tasks rather than trying to achieve everything in one study session.

As Amia puts it:

“You do not have to understand everything straight away or work everything out on your own.”

Looking ahead

Amia is now preparing for the final AAT Level 4 exam before taking the next step towards ACA Level 7.

Her long-term ambition is to continue developing her career in treasury and finance while working towards chartered status.

Looking back, she believes completing AAT first has given her the confidence and foundations she needed to progress onto further training.

“I am really glad I started my journey with AAT because it has given me a strong foundation to build on.”

She also plans to continue studying with Kaplan as she moves onto the next stage of her professional development.

Reflecting on everything so far, one thing stands out above all else.

“Honestly, I am just really grateful for the way everything has played out. The bursary was pivotal in shaping my early career journey, and I am really glad I applied.”

Thinking about taking the next step?

If you're starting a career in finance or looking to continue your professional development, the right support can make all the difference.

Explore our AAT courses and accountancy qualifications to find the route that's right for you.