A newly-qualified Norfolk accountant is on top of the world.
Lauren Day, who works for East Anglian chartered accountants and business advisors Larking Gowen, has been awarded the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Gold Medal for the highest global score attained over the final tier of five professional exams.
An aggregate score of 416 marks out of 500 left her top of a class of 5,000. It marks a triumphant end to a gruelling five-year schedule of accountancy qualification exams for the former Wymondham High Academy Sixth Form pupil.
ACCA is a global body for professional accountants, supporting 480,000 students in 178 countries. A spokesperson for ACCA said the aggregate marks Lauren gained in the P (professional) level exams were an “amazing achievement.” It earns her the title of Top Affiliate from the December 2016 exam session and an award of £500.
Lauren, who joined Larking Gowen’s Diss office straight from sixth form, said she was “stunned” to receive a congratulatory email from the ACCA’s Director of Learning. The letter described her performance as outstanding and informed her that her marks were the highest achieved anywhere in the world. The prize caps a study marathon which saw Lauren pass 20 exams in four-and-a-half years.
Taking so many exams in a relatively short period while also working full time was a big ask – but Lauren said her colleagues had been very supportive.
Larking Gowen partner Grant Pilcher, who has mentored Lauren throughout her time at the firm, was not at all surprised by her spectacular achievement.
“Since the day she began with us Lauren has been a model member of staff,” he said. “You only have to tell her something once and she has got it. She is a very bright young lady – and more than that, she invests so much application in everything she does. She thoroughly deserves the gold medal.”
Tim Howes, Regional Manager for training provide Kaplan Financial described Lauren’s attainment as “pretty special.”
“She gained top mark in the world for her P2 Corporate reporting paper in June 2016 – and that was no mean feat. But she has surpassed that with this amalgamated score recognition.”
“We are extremely happy to share in Lauren’s success once again. Her dedication to her studies is plain for all to see and the rewards are testament to the time and effort she has invested over a sustained period. This kind of award is the icing on the cake for us at Kaplan Financial,” he said.
“We are proud to work closely alongside Larking Gowen in the delivery of their professional examination training and this proximity means we all feel part of their success in the nurturing of exceptional talent. Congratulations again to Lauren and we wish her all the best for her future career.”
Larking Gowen regularly recruit both graduates and A level students and have a history of producing prize winners. We would welcome anyone who thinks they can join that lengthening list to apply via our website.