Honest conversations about what it takes to think, learn, and perform as a future-ready accountant, hosted by Yvonne Starkey, Chartered Accountant, lecturer and mindset researcher. Whether you’re studying for the CPA, CA, or ACCA, or already building your career, we share practical insights and real perspectives on learning, performance, and the accounting profession. Learn more at accountingstudyadvice.com.
Toby is the founder of Accounting Cafe (https://accountingcafe.org/ (https://accountingcafe.org/)), a community for people who believe that accounting education can be an engaging and enjoyable experience for teachers and learners. We chatted about the future of accountants, and accounting, some of the challenges and considerations in teaching accounting, and some fascinating topics in between! Ranging from the good old bookkeeping days of ‘box jobs’ (we definitely don’t have the same feelings about those!) to considering some of the questions around teaching accounting. I’d love to say we’ve solved all these challenges, but at the very least, we’ve raised some fascinating questions and ideas. Enjoy!
(https://www.coloraccounting.com/)
27 May 2026
Dr Chipo Simbi, PhD, FHEA - Failure!
No matter what goals we set ourselves, we're going to face challenges and setbacks.
Chipo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chipo-simbi-phd-fhea-17210647/) and I recorded a chat when we met in Sheffield at the British Accounting and Finance Associations' Education SIG (https://bafa.ac.uk/subgroups/special-interest-groups/accounting-education/events/upcoming-events/accounting-education-sig-annual-conference-and-agm-2026.html) conference in May 2026.
I love her story and her energy. Her approach to and perspectives on dealing with failure are inspiring.
22 Apr 2026
Wes Towers - Communication & Value-add as accountants
Wes Towers is a designer, marketer, and founder of Uplift 360, a digital agency built on data-driven decision-making and smart use of AI. A few years ago, a formal valuation report said his business was worth less than the assets it held and flagged AI as a major risk. Instead of retreating, Wes reworked his business model, embraced automation and AI tools, and went on to create his most profitable year to date. He now shares practical, real-world lessons on using technology, communication, and strategic thinking to build a resilient, opportunity-rich career in a changing professional landscape.
We chatted about communication, your role and value-add as an accounting outside of the numbers, leadership and of course, a little about AI.
Visit: https://uplift360.com.au/ (https://uplift360.com.au/)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/westowers/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/westowers/)
12 Feb 2026
Tom Clendon - Sabotaging your studies?
Tom helps students pass their ACCA SBR exams, he’s been teaching and helping students pass high-level accounting exams for years. We chatted about how students sometimes sabotage their studies, how to balance life and work, and of course, whether the robots are going to take our jobs! Enjoy!
You can find out more about Tom here. Contact him if you need help with your SBR Exam
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomclendonsbr/)
Website (https://tomclendon.co.uk/)
9 Dec 2025
Prof Arshi - SECURE: Startup Business Model Evaluation Tool
A lot of accounting students I know dream about being an entrepreneur.
In Part 1 of my discussion with Professor Tahseen Anwer Arshi, we spoke about some of his research relating to entrepreneurship. In this episode, we chat about the diagnostic tool he developed to help entrepreneurs evaluate and improve their business models. It’s called SECURE, and we chat about what it can do for you.
Prof. Tahseen Anwer Arshi
Interim Dean, School of Business, Associate Provost for Research and Sustainability
/ Director of AURAK Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE).
https://aurak.ac.ae/faculty/prof-tahseen-anwer-arshi#nav-profile_info (https://aurak.ac.ae/faculty/prof-tahseen-anwer-arshi#nav-profile_info)
SECURE (Startup diagnostic tool) https://www.securecanvas.net/ (https://www.securecanvas.net/)
2 Dec 2025
Prof Arshi - The Influence of Hormones on Entrepreneurial Decisions
A lot of the accounting students I know dream of becoming entrepreneurs. In this episode, we explore a surprising angle on entrepreneurship: does your biology influence your decisions?
I chatted with Professor Tahseen Anwer Arshi about his research on how hormones influence entrepreneurial decision-making. The research is fascinating, and I think you’ll enjoy our discussion of the takeaways for you as a potential entrepreneur, and in other areas of your life where you’re required to take risks. Are there biases in your decision-making that are psychological or even biological?
Part 1 focuses on the research; Check back soon for Part 2 where we talk about his startup diagnostic tool called SECURE
Prof. Tahseen Anwer Arshi is Interim Dean, School of Business, Associate Provost for Research and Sustainability
/ Director of AURAK Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE).
https://aurak.ac.ae/faculty/prof-tahseen-anwer-arshi#nav-profile_info (https://aurak.ac.ae/faculty/prof-tahseen-anwer-arshi#nav-profile_info)
The paper we discuss in this episode: Arshi, T. A., Ambrin, A., Rao, V., Morande, S., & Gul, K. (2022). A Machine Learning Assisted Study Exploring Hormonal Influences on Entrepreneurial Opportunity Behaviour. The Journal of Entrepreneurship, 31(3), 575-602. https://doi.org/10.1177/09713557221136273 (https://doi.org/10.1177/09713557221136273) (Original work published 2022)
SECURE (Startup diagnostic tool) https://www.securecanvas.net/ (https://www.securecanvas.net/)
4 Nov 2025
Adam Yannakakis ACCA - Finance Exam Skills
Adam focuses on providing students working towards professional finance qualifications with a proven accountability system to get them through exams. We chatted about challenges that finance students may not realise they’ll face, both in their studies and their professional careers. As always, I’m exploring the skills we need to develop to ensure we’re well prepared for our future careers, as Adam and I also discussed. The burning question: Will accountants be obsolete in the future?!
Find out more about Adam and his work:
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-yannakakakis/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-yannakakakis/)
Set up a meeting with him: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-yannakakakis/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-yannakakakis/)
Adam’s book recommendation: “The Let Them Theory” - Mel Robbins
https://www.melrobbins.com/book/the-let-them-theory/ (https://www.melrobbins.com/book/the-let-them-theory/)
21 Oct 2025
KC Rottok - Leveraging your skills to build opportunities
In this conversation, I spoke to KC about the opportunities he’s created through the process of marketing his skills and business.
This is a fascinating conversation with someone who uses their skills, invests in and builds on them, and uses them creatively to further their business opportunities.
I chatted to KC a while back about the books he wrote (Links below), and he’s since built on this.
This is another great conversation to broaden your thinking around the choices and opportunities you can explore in your professional career. In this case, we’re talking about something a lot of accountants don’t have on their radar - sales and marketing!
KC’s website: https://www.kcrottok.com/ (https://www.kcrottok.com/)
He’s written two books; Masters of Money; and CEO X Factor (https://www.kcrottok.com/books (https://www.kcrottok.com/books)/)
You can check out the previous chat KC and I had in 2022 here:
https://youtu.be/LPhS1NCOL3k?si=asQ-4xwMDIa2NGTj (https://youtu.be/LPhS1NCOL3k?si=asQ-4xwMDIa2NGTj)
21 Oct 2025
Dr Wiehann Olivier CA(SA) RA - Cryptocurrency
Update: Wiehann has recently completed his PhD, titled - "The Development of a Cryptocurrency Assertion-Based Framework for Financial Auditors." - We'll need to get him back for another chat to discuss his research with us.
In this episode, I spoke to Wiehann Olivier about cryptocurrency accounting and auditing as a career.
Wiehann is a partner and the digital asset lead for Mazaars South Africa and our discussion centred more around the concept of career opportunities that may not exist or be on your radar while you’re studying and in your earlier professional career. This is a great conversation to broaden your thinking around the choices and opportunities you can explore in your professional career.
15 Oct 2025
Mindset - The Original Research
In this episode, I explore the origins of growth and fixed mindset research — revisiting three of the earliest studies that shaped the theory. We often use “mindset” as a simple label, but what did the original research actually reveal about how people respond to failure?
Rather than treating mindset as a static label, I focus on its original intent: exploring how individuals interpret and respond to failure, and what that tells us about learning behaviour in accounting education.
References:
Dweck, C. S., & Leggett, E. L. (1988). A Social-Cognitive Approach to Motivation and Personality. Psychological Review.
Diener, C. I., & Dweck, C. S. (1978). An Analysis of Learned Helplessness: Continuous Changes in Performance, Strategy, and Achievement Cognitions Following Failure. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 36, 451–462.
Dweck, C. S., & Reppucci, N. D. (1973). Learned helplessness and reinforcement responsibility in children. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 25(1), 109–116. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0034248 (https://doi.org/10.1037/h0034248)
15 Oct 2025
Tatum Thorne CA(SA)
I spoke to Tatum about her journey through her postgraduate qualification. We discuss failure, motivation, accountability, and study advice for those who feel like it’s not working out according to plan. Tatum shares her journey with other students to encourage them that while your path might not look the way you expected, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be successful. So if you’re having a bit of a tough journey, you’re going to enjoy this chat.
14 Oct 2025
Prof Elmar Venter - Accounting Education
In this conversation, I spoke to Professor Elmar Venter about accounting education. From what it is that accounting researchers actually research, to discussions on how students should think about their learning. Elmar is incredibly passionate about the value that accountants can add to society, so you’re going to enjoy this chat
14 Oct 2025
Elton Pullen CA(SA) PhD
In this conversation, I spoke to Elton Pullen about research, studying and self-reflection, and the place that our faith has in our careers. Elton is a senior lecturer in Managerial Accounting. It’s always great to chat to people who have a passion for developing future accountants and Elton is definitely one of those people, so Iet’s get into this chat
14 Oct 2025
Bruce Vivian (IFAC) - Sustainability
Bruce is currently the Director of Accounting Education at IFAC, and he's been great in sharing his insights with future accounting professionals.
In this conversation, I spoke to Bruce Vivian about sustainability and how it will impact accounting students in the future. Our discussion also focusses on underlying skills and the need for intellectual curiosity - the trait that will protect us against obsolescence! Bruce is always great to chat to, and our previous conversations about the learning paths of professional accounting students have been so valuable.
14 Oct 2025
Hannah Macdonald ACA - Accountancy Hub
Hannah and I discussed the non-academic challenges that ACCA trainees and students often face. Hannah also focuses on neurodiversity, and we discussed this among a wide range of other topics.
Accountancy Hub provides advice, community, and resources to prospective, studying, and post-qualified ACCA, CIMA, AAT, CIPFA, and ICAEW accountants, working with both individual students and firms.
You can find more info about how Accountancy Hub can help you here: https://accountancyhub.co.uk/ (https://accountancyhub.co.uk/)
Find Hannah's professional profile here (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-macdonald-aca-42197770/)
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