‘Qualifications opened many doors to me’

Tena Sheil - accounting technician student now an accomplished trainer.

Tena Sheil’s professional life was transformed when she attended night classes in Gorey Community School. Over the next few years, she attained top marks in Accounting and now runs her own training and accountancy business. This is her story …
​​
As the middle child of six, there was no expectation that I would attend third level education after my Leaving Certificate in 1986. I worked in sales, retail and retail management for many enjoyable years. However, it was my move into an administrative role, including finance in 2001, that rekindled my interest in getting a qualification.

An ISME/FÁS scholarship allowed me to follow the Accounting Technician qualification through Gorey Community School’s Adult Education Department. It was the first and best step that I have ever taken. The course was challenging but attainable, the tutors were knowledgeable and encouraging, and the setting and facilities were perfect for a mature student finding their feet after many years’ absence from the academic scene. The sense of achievement and the boost to my confidence when I was ranked in the top ten ATI results for 2008 was incredible.

Further qualifications
My ATI qualification enabled me to join the third year of a four-year Honours Degree at the IPA. In 2010, I graduated with the highest mark in the Accounting stream and the CIMA Award for Excellence in Management Accounting. Then, I sat my professional exams with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in December 2010 and May 2011, achieving the equivalent of a Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

These qualifications have absolutely transformed the range of opportunities available to me. I now deliver accounting training from the absolute beginner up to the highest professional levels with ACCA and CPA. Coupled with this, I create bespoke training for businesses who wish to maintain their own accounting systems or better understand their financial situation. I coach business owners on attaining their own goals and maintaining an efficient and motivated workforce. With a growing range of private accounting and training clients, my intention is to grow my business and further develop the ways in which I assist businesses to grow and prosper.

Today, I am as passionate and enthusiastic about my future as I have ever been in my life and I put that all down to getting back into education as a mature student, setting achievable goals and ticking them off one by one.

---