MHA in Edinburgh is celebrating after four team members qualified as chartered accountants.

The colleagues, who are based at the accounting and business advisory firm’s St Colme Street office, have achieved ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) qualifications.

Lewis Scobie, Rachel Alexander, Callum Hamilton and Kirstin Bell are proof that there are a variety of non-traditional routes into a career in accountancy, with a karate instructor and direct school leaver among the success stories.

Lewis juggled work, studying and fatherhood alongside impressive endeavours in karate. Following his university degree, the 34-year-old ABAS (Accounting Based Advisory Services) Executive studied for the seven exams he needed to become qualified under ACCA.

He also completed three years of work at MHA and Geoghegans, the firm acquired by MHA in February 2024.

Lewis said: “I knew the three years it would take to pass the exams would be stressful, but the reward at the end was worth it. Juggling family life alongside studying was tough but my wife helped massively through the exam period by giving me time over the weekends when I could then have two solid study days.”

Lewis, who is originally from Tillicoultry but now lives in Kirkcaldy, was previously a karate instructor and competed for Scotland at multiple European and global events… his best result being eighth place at the world championships in Japan for senior male kata category.

Rachel Alexander, 23, is an ABAS Executive at MHA, starting at Geoghegans in 2020 straight from school, Trinity Academy in Edinburgh.

She recently sat 13 ICAS exams and hopes to develop her knowledge and skills in business advisory. Rachel was also given the opportunity to embark on a secondment with the ESG audit team in England.

Speaking of choosing the apprenticeship route, golf enthusiast Rachel said: “I would recommend this path to others. Exams are spread over five years rather than the usual three so you can focus on one exam at a time.

I was 19 having done a year of work and exams, with university leavers aged around 22 just starting ICAS and working in practice. A lot of people said they wished they’d known about the school leaver route.

Although it felt daunting joining a professional workplace straight from school, everyone was so welcoming and understanding of how little experience you will have. My colleagues were always happy to talk me through anything I was unsure of.”

Kirstin Bell, 26, is an Audit Executive. Her ICAS training involved passing three levels of exams as well as gaining three years’ relevant practical experience.

The University of Edinburgh graduate said: “The workplace culture at MHA is fantastic. The firm offers up so many opportunities for the future. I would like to develop relationships with clients and take on further responsibilities.”

Callum Hamilton, 24, is Audit Executive, who graduated from the University of Edinburgh, having previously attended Dumfries Academy in his hometown.

He said: “Studying alongside work meant setting clear expectations of what I was capable of. I knew I’d joined a firm that would offer a wide range of opportunities and experiences.”

Ben Sutherland, ABAS Director at MHA in Edinburgh, said: “We are extremely proud of our latest raft of qualified chartered accountants. It is a huge achievement, and it has been a pleasure watching them grow as they progressed through their training with us.

We look forward to supporting them further in their careers at MHA and offering them the opportunities to continue to develop their talent.”

MHA, the UK member firm of Baker Tilly International, is an AIM listed company, ranked the 13th largest accountancy group in the UK and Republic of Ireland. It has a turnover of £224m (FYE25), over 2,300 staff, 150 partners and comprises of 30 offices the UK and worldwide.