From Kyiv to ACCA Success: My Journey Through Crisis, Career, and Qualification

Background and Journey

Introduction and Background:

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I’m a finance professional based in Kyiv, Ukraine, with a background in audit at a Big 4 firm and current experience in the digital media industry. My work focuses on IFRS reporting and financial analysis, including preparing consolidated financial statements, coordinating audits, and supporting decision-making with management reporting.

What initially motivated you to pursue the ACCA qualification?

I first heard about ACCA at university and saw it as a great opportunity to gain an internationally recognised qualification. That global aspect really appealed to me. Later, when I started working as an auditor, I was inspired by colleagues who were already pursuing ACCA. Seeing how it helped them grow professionally and tackle complex tasks with confidence motivated me to start the journey myself.

Journey with Learnsignal:

How did you discover Learnsignal, and what made you choose it for your ACCA preparation?

I discovered Learnsignal after completing my foundational papers. Before that, I worked at a company that supported my ACCA studies and handled all the learning provider arrangements. But when the war started in Ukraine, many companies had to cut budgets, so I began looking for alternative resources. That’s when I found out that Learnsignal was offering free access to Ukrainian students — and I decided to give it a try. It turned out to be exactly what I needed to continue my ACCA journey.

How did Learnsignal support you throughout your ACCA journey?

I prepared for all of my Strategic level papers using Learnsignal and ACCA’s free resources. I found Learnsignal’s materials really helpful — clear, well-structured, and focused on what actually matters in the exam. I especially appreciated the student chat and the option to take a mock exam, which gave me more confidence going into the real thing.

Exam Preparation and Strategies

Preparation Techniques:

Can you share your study routine and how you managed your time effectively?

That’s a tough question — honestly, my main strategy was just to work hard and stay consistent. I started by reading the full syllabus on the ACCA Study Hub to build a solid foundation. Then I moved on to Learnsignal’s video lessons, which helped me understand the key topics in a more practical way. What really made a difference was their tutor-led walkthroughs of exam questions — they showed me exactly how to approach each paper. After that, it was all about practice, practice, practice.

What specific strategies did you use to prepare for the final exam?

I was honestly quite nervous about my final exam — it was APM, and I’d heard from many people how challenging it can be. I followed my consistent approach: going through the syllabus, reviewing Learnsignal materials, and doing lots of practice. On exam day, I faced a technical issue and couldn’t complete it. At first, I was really disappointed — but then I realised it was probably for the best, because I wasn’t fully ready.

After a short break, I started preparing again, and the second time it felt completely different — the topics made much more sense, and I could tell I had built strong knowledge. I focused more on question practice, planning my answers, and analyzing how many marks I needed per requirement. I also learned not to get stuck on things I didn’t know — just move on and stay calm. That strategy helped me pass with 60 marks, and I was so happy!

Resource Utilization:

Which resources or tools from Learnsignal did you find most helpful?

Definitely my favourite was the bootcamp. Going through 21 days of focused practice before the exam was the perfect way to make sure I was prepared for anything. It covered all the key topics and really helped build exam confidence. Of course, some days were tough and I didn’t always complete everything, but I still tried to think through each task and consider what I would write — and that mindset helped a lot.
I also can’t miss the mock exams, I received a few valuable pieces of feedback that helped me improve my answers.

Challenges and Overcoming Them:

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while preparing for your final exam?

As I mentioned before, APM is a tough exam with a huge amount of information to cover — definitely not something you can prepare for in just a few weeks. One of the biggest challenges was managing that volume and staying consistent over time.
What made it even harder was my first exam attempt. I faced a technical issue on exam day and couldn’t complete it. It was devastating — I had worked so hard, and I didn’t even get the chance to try. I had been dreaming of finally finishing and feeling that sense of relief.

But after some time to rest and reset, I started preparing again. It was hard, but it also gave me a fresh perspective — and the second time, I felt much more confident and in control.

How did you overcome these challenges and stay motivated?

What really kept me going was the thought that this was my final exam — I was so close to the finish line. I kept reminding myself: just a little more effort, and you’ll finally get there.

I also remembered how big the commitment felt when I first started this journey. I still clearly recall my first Strategic paper and how overwhelming it seemed at the time. So when I reached my last one, I already felt proud of how far I’d come — and that gave me the push to keep going, even when things got tough.

Exam Experience

Exam Day Insights:

Can you walk us through your experience on the day of your final exam?

To be honest, I get really nervous before every exam, and my final one was no different. I’ve learned that I can’t fully get rid of that anxiety, but I try not to add to it. I don’t push myself to study the day before or try to catch up on the morning of the exam — I just focus on staying calm.

On the day itself, I had a good breakfast and started the ACCA check-in process (my exam was remote). I kept reminding myself that I had prepared well, and even if things didn’t go as planned, it would still be a valuable learning experience.

How did you manage stress and stay focused during the exam?

I’m not sure if it’s the “perfect” method, but it worked for me. I don’t read all the questions at once — I take them one by one. I start with Question 1 and stick to the time management structure that’s pretty consistent across all Strategic level exams. I know I have around 1.5 hours for the first question, so I split that time across each requirement and follow the plan as closely as possible.

If I come across something I’m unsure about, I don’t let it slow me down. I just try to write the simplest valid points I can and move on. That way, I don’t lose time or confidence. This mindset helps me stay focused and gives me a sense of control during the exam — and that’s what helped me believe I could reach at least 50 marks.

Advice and Inspiration

Advice for Fellow Students:

What advice would you give to other ACCA students, especially those preparing for the strategic level papers?

Strategic level papers are definitely more challenging — but they’re also much more interesting. So try to enjoy the learning process and imagine being that kind of professional who uses this knowledge to make a real impact.

These papers teach you how businesses work and how, as a finance professional, you can help build and shape them. My advice would be: don’t just study to pass — try to connect what you’re learning to the real world. It makes everything more meaningful and much easier to remember.

And for sure, plan your time. I usually gave myself about a month to go through the full syllabus and then another month just for practice. When you have a full-time job, family, and your own hobbies, it can be really challenging — so planning ahead is a must.

How important is consistency and discipline in achieving successful scores in ACCA exams?

Consistency and discipline are the most important tips I can give for getting through ACCA. Honestly, they’re what carry you forward — not luck or talent. For example, the easiest paper for me was SBR, because it closely relates to my day-to-day work. But even then, I’m not sure I would have passed without studying.

Every exam needs proper preparation. Even if the topic feels familiar, ACCA tests your ability to apply knowledge in a very specific way — and that takes time and focused effort.

Motivation and Inspiration:

Can you share any motivational tips for students who are struggling with their ACCA studies?

Don’t compare yourself to others. I’ve heard many people say a certain exam was easy, but for me, every paper was challenging — and that’s okay. We all come from different backgrounds, and your journey is your own.

When I started the Strategic level, I realized my English wasn’t strong enough, and that became another challenge. But instead of giving up, I used it as motivation. Because of SBL, I went back to learning English seriously — and now, not only have I passed all my ACCA exams, but my English has also improved a lot.

I always say that, for me, ACCA was a “dual-purpose” journey — growing professionally and personally. So my advice is: stay focused on why you started and how this qualification will benefit your future. That’s what will keep you moving forward.

How did you stay motivated throughout your ACCA journey, and what kept you going during tough times?

As I mentioned before, I try not to compare myself to others — I just compare myself to who I was yesterday. ACCA gave me so much professional knowledge and personal growth, and that’s what kept me going. I genuinely enjoy my work and want to keep developing, so every challenge felt like a step forward, not just for the exams, but for my future career.
ACCA also influenced me as a person. It changed how I think — not only about business, but also about the kind of world I want to be part of. Now I’m more conscious of the businesses I support, what it means to be a responsible citizen, and how I can contribute in a meaningful way. So don’t just aim to get the qualification — enjoy the process of learning. It can shape you in more ways than you expect.

Read our Student’s Success Story: How I Turned My APM Failure into a Comeback Story

Future Aspirations:

What are your future career aspirations now that you are an ACCA affiliate?

Now that I’m an ACCA Affiliate, I see this as the beginning of a new chapter in my career. My goal is to grow into a more strategic role where I can contribute not just through financial reporting, but by influencing business decisions and helping organisations grow responsibly and sustainably.

How do you plan to leverage your ACCA qualification in your professional life?

I plan to use my ACCA qualification as a strong foundation to make better, more informed decisions in my professional life. It has already helped me become more confident and structured in tackling complex reporting tasks and financial challenges. 

ACCA also gives me a global perspective and professional credibility, which opens doors to work with international teams, take on cross-border projects, and even explore leadership roles. It’s not just a qualification — it’s a mindset that helps me think critically, act ethically, and add real value wherever I work.

Check out our blog on: ACCA Success: Insights from a Recent ACCA Affiliate