Hayley comments on a new career

Mature student and single mother Hayley Foster has proved that studying can pay by furthering her career with a new job.

Hayley will graduate from the University of Teesside today with a First Class degree in BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance and now works as a trainee accountant with Davies, Tracey & Co in Stockton. Hayley, from Billingham, said: "After 10 years of working as a Revenue Officer at the Inland Revenue, I decided it was time for a change. I was always interested in maths, which led me to working at the Tax Office! "I made the decision to enrol full time at Teesside to study the accounting degree. I considered going to Durham but Teesside had the better course. I was initially worried about the financial side of things but as I received additional help being a parent, I was no worse off at University than I was working full time. I still worked one day a week but I had enough time to attend all my lectures and do all of my course work. My 10 year old daughter, Abbey loved Mam being a student as I was home more and we could do our homework together! "I've still got some professional qualifications to study for before I am a fully qualified accountant, but having the degree means that I am exempt from the Level One of the Association of Certified Accountants course, and half of the level two course. I've got a couple of years to go, but I know this is the profession for me and I'm very confident that I'll get the qualifications and move up the ladder." As well as earning a first Class degree and a new job, Hayley has also been awarded the Hays Accountancy Personnel Prize for being the best accounting student. Commenting on the prize, Hayley said: "I was over the moon when I found I had won. I was straight on the phone to my fiancé Thomas and my parents. They're all really proud of me and it will make the graduation day even more special." Hayleys fiancé Thomas Smeaton also received his HNC in Electrical Engineering from the University of Teesside and now runs his own firm of electrical and mechanical consulting engineers, The Blurock Partnership.

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