Brandan Mulkeen
ACCA Level 4 Diploma in Accounting and Business
At 24, Brandan Mulkeen had already spent 17 years in education, completed a BA (Hons) in Business Management and even spent a year working in teaching. But despite all that experience, he still hadn’t found the career path that felt right for him.
Then he discovered accounting.
Now studying the ACCA Level 4 Diploma in Accounting and Business at University Centre Rotherham after completing Levels 2 and 3, Brandan has found a subject he truly enjoys – and has already secured his first role in the industry.
“I’d been in education for 17 years and did a BA Hons Degree in Business Management, but I just never really found what I wanted,” Brandan explains. “Then I found accounting, and numbers is something I really enjoy. Two years later, I’m doing the Level 4.”
Finding the right direction
Brandan’s route into accounting wasn’t straightforward. After completing his Business Management degree, he spent several years exploring his career options, and took on a teaching role along the way. While his time in teaching gave him valuable experience, Brandan realised it wasn’t the right fit for him and began looking for a career that better matched his interests and strengths. With a particular interest in numbers, he eventually found that accounting offered the direction he had been looking for.
“I did teaching for a year and just knew it wasn’t really for me,” he says. “So once I got the opportunity to get into industry, I took it.”
That opportunity came in the form of a new role as a Financial Executive at FWD Motion and SecPrint after his retraining.
For Brandan, changing direction meant recognising what he really wanted from his career and having the confidence to pursue it. His experience is a reminder that choosing a different route, even after investing time in another career, can be a positive step forward.
In his new role, Brandan is responsible for a wide range of financial and business activities.
“I do all the bookkeeping, look into credit control and negotiate terms of sales,” he says. “I also go into the depth of business operations.”
His studies at University Centre Rotherham have helped him put that knowledge into practice, giving him a strong foundation as he takes his first steps into the industry.
Brandan“The course taught me everything I needed to know about going into the job.”
Skills for the workplace
“The course taught me everything I needed to know about going into the job,” he says. “It allowed me to become somewhat of an expert and gave me the skills I needed to excel.”
“It’s great, enjoyable and it’s everything I’ve looked for.”
Having progressed through Levels 2 and 3 before moving on to Level 4, Brandan has seen his knowledge and confidence grow throughout his studies.
“I would 100% do this course. This is by far the best course I’ve been on. Level 2 was great, Level 3 was great and Level 4 will be just as good.”
He also highlights the support of his tutor, Conal, as an important part of his experience at University Centre Rotherham.
“Conal is a great teacher and a good friend to us all.”
Looking to the future
With his first role in finance now under his belt, Brandan is already looking ahead.
His ambitions are firmly focused on building his knowledge and advancing further within the accounting profession.
“I want to reach the highest level,” he says. “I want to be able to do anyone’s books, whether that’s a company in China or someone in America. I want to be the most qualified accountant there is.”
For anyone considering studying accounting at University Centre Rotherham, Brandan’s advice is simple:
“I would 100% do this course.”
By changing direction and discovering a passion for accounting, Brandan’s journey shows that it’s never too late to find a career you’re genuinely excited about. His experience demonstrates how the right course can open the door to a rewarding career.
Turn your interest in numbers into a career.
