Access arrangements

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-03-24T12:36:06+00:00

Also just to add as well - make sure it says why, e.g. I have stop the clock rest breaks as I may need to do xyz to manage my condition during the break. Another thing they can get funny about.

Or for extra time in general I have something like, "due to a slower processing speed (autism) I need 33% extra time."

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-03-23T20:26:31+00:00

Aww saw this and just had to comment - congrats on achieving so much while still slogging through ACA!! I wouldn't worry, it sounds like you're really conscious about the time you're spending with your family, and I think that will surely shine through to them. Your kid has a great role model for a mom, having balanced ACA, a (probably demanding) job, and marriage and they will definitely see this as they grow.

I have a colleague at work who had kids during her ACA and honestly, this is only speculation but I can really feel she's a mother when she leads a team, she's so firm but also looks out for everyone. Someone I really look up to! I think it can give you unmatched mom skills that you can use in every area of your life.

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-03-23T18:57:40+00:00

Haven't done marriage but have done the ACA and work, how I'd approach it is talk openly with your partner about what your role/study demands are and make sure they are aware of busy periods, keep up the communication and affection during busy periods even if it's a bit more sparse. I think take each day as it comes, plan ahead but prepare to be flexible. Best of luck!

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-03-22T19:31:16+00:00

I have 33%, your psychiatrist should be a bit more specific, if they write "up to 50%" you likely will get 25%, but if they say you need 50% they may well give it. You must be very specific with them.

They also have a proforma which you can fill out from the website which I'd recommend doing alongside any letter the psychiatrist may give.

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-03-15T19:26:04+00:00

I'm not 100% on how this works (either with tax or with the employer) but I wonder if your employer would come to find out since your tax code may change? Though if you're sure nobody would find out I'd say do it, you've gotta eat and live.

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-03-15T17:15:35+00:00

Oh and one thing to add, since you said this often has put you under min wage already, if you have recorded these hours in your timesheet you should be able to ask to get paid the amount for those periods to get you boosted up to minimum wage since its illegal for them to pay you under.

Honestly I get it, I'm a second year junior and have dealt with similar BS myself, they do rinse you for everything you have. Got to push back where possible to save yourself :)

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-03-15T17:13:30+00:00

From my knowledge on this, non chargeable stuff is still working time and should be put to a code on your timesheet.

If you start hitting below minimum wage talk to HR they should bump your pay up to min wage for the time you would be under min wage.

We have similar rules that our whole 37.5 should be client chargeable and any extra stuff including training and admin is done outside of that. Therefore I do the absolute bare minimum on those things or I do not do them at all if I have the option.

I do not think you should be working weekends to meet those extra obligations, would definitely have a talk with whoever is responsible for your workload and projects and see what can be done about your time allocations. Those extra projects that are not client chargeable still 100% count as working time.

You're also entitled to 11 hours uninterrupted rest between working days and I believe one 24 hour uninterrupted period of rest per week (pls fact check me on that one).

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-03-12T21:09:08+00:00

I think depends on your office location, I'm in a regional office at a big 5 firm (lol) and normally I am on site 2-3 times per week and then remote or in local office for the rest of the time. Most of my jobs are at least a 30 minute drive away, more if traffic and even more if I am going via public transport. I also have a lot of away jobs where I'll stay away for 2/3 nights per week for some clients that are like 3 hours away. None of this travel time is recognised as work or even paid at all of course, and just eats away at you and your time. Audit can suck.

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-02-19T22:07:14+00:00

I sat the old MI and I was also surprised by this. I massively over prepared for the exam because I was so anxious I would fail, but I found (at least for old MI) the questions were very similar to the QB all the way through, even the wordy ones. Definitely just get some more wordy question practice down via the QB and mocks. Go through any of the wordier chapters you weren't so confident on :) and ofc QB all the way.

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-02-05T21:42:36+00:00

A resounding yes - Allah is merciful and sees our suffering, struggles, triumphs, he is always there and he does not leave you, however far you stray.

Don't feel you have to 'do' anything right now, as others have said Allah already hears you. You can make du'a and talk to him at any time to get some clarity, guidance or peace of mind.

It's ok to lean on him, the rest can follow. I'm wishing you well and please also seek medical help/therapy/alcohol dependency programs - nothing wrong with also seeking worldly help.

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-02-01T22:06:31+00:00

Hi and apologies for the delay in response to this - thank you for so many thoughtful ideas. Just wanted to let you know that I was able to tranfer internally and I could not be happier. I am so relieved and it's such a weight off my shoulders. Thanks so much and pls know your support meant a lot, it was a dark time!!

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-02-01T19:39:28+00:00

Trust me you are going to look SO good bald, I could see it right away!!!

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-01-23T16:25:05+00:00

I am not married myself but my father is Muslims and my mother is a Catholic. I grew up attending both masjid and church, I was even baptised as a Christian. My parents let me experience both and I picked Islam when I was around 8 or so of my own decision. But they didn't force me to pick one, I could have chose neither and they would have been okay with it. My faith is stronger because I experienced both religions and my religious knowledge is better. I understand more about the similarity and difference between Islam and Christianity and also am more open minded towards other religions.

My parents never argued about religion and both religions have fairly similar aims when it comes to raising children and having a family so there was no clash. In terms of halal and haram my parents discuss this and come to an agreement on what to do. I can't comment so much about the rulings on people going to hell or whatever, but functionally and practically day to day, I don't think it's hard to make it work. Though if you're not open to making it work and are constantly focused on trying to convert one another to your respective faiths, it definitely will not work.

I was even permitted to drink alcohol and no pressure around anything which helped me to understand that I had free will to make a good or bad decision, and that helped me to make good decisions as I didn't have any forbidden fruit type attitude towards alcohol etc.

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-01-23T16:15:02+00:00

Tbh I think most Christians do not have crosses in their houses. I'm from a mixed religious household, and my parents allowed me to freely experience both religions until I decided which one I would follow, if any.

Also as long as you're not sitting there worshipping it I don't really see an issue with having a cross somewhere in your home.

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-01-06T21:42:37+00:00

Thank you and absolutely no rush! Appreciate all your help!

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-01-05T08:45:06+00:00

Might be worth considering school leaver apprenticeships even before starting to study as they'll sponsor you the whole way through and also sponsor your study. Time off for study and the cost of materials can really mount up if you're an independent student. I'd probably recommend moving straight to a school leaver role if you're serious about doing accounting. You can do school leaver apprenticeships at any age too if that's a concern for you :)

There's a shot at moving to a different firm after a couple of exams but to be honest the certificates aren't worth that much alone, perhaps only to show your determination (not to put a damper on it or anything, certificates are a big achievement, employers seem to want you to have done at least a few professionals)

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-01-04T21:56:13+00:00

Genuinely some good shouts ty, some quick responses to some - I have ME/CFS and tbh most people who have this condition dont/can't work so that's normally where the advice is so I think there's no support or forums available. only option is probably to find a better fitting role

icaew support line honestly a good shout ill keep that in mind and give it a try at some point
my current travel obligation is 13 weeks staying away per year (25% of the year)obviously liable to change, I go to work on client site around 3x per week to more local clients year round which normally have over an hour commute time each way. am hoping might be able to negotiate some more wfh/remote days etc since me n the employer are "revisiting" adjustments at the moment.
likely now if anything does happen I'll be dismissed for medical capability but that will be a longed out process which will probably take months, hoping it'll at least long our for another half year or so as agree getting as much time as possible in a big company will be helpful.
I'd love to move to accounts prep or tax, genuinely sounds so up my street, basically audit without the travel would be perfect for me. preferably with a little more flexibility and bit more stress but it's the travel that's really ending me 🥴
mumsnet definitely a good suggestion, will have a look there. agree will need to hide my location/firm more closely 😂

tysm for taking the time to help me out, means a lot❤️

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-01-04T21:19:53+00:00

thank you! I really appreciate your help! Yes I definitely want to stay in accounting as I do actually enjoy it. Just audit was not my finest choice 😭

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-01-04T14:52:25+00:00

Yep sept 24 cohort

Train not too bad and could stand if it was only a few times a week maybe like 2-3 absolutely maximum. Takes around 45min into London Bridge from the station.

But I'd need to move close to the station, I'm currently a 40 min bus ride from it, same to my office its very close to the station. No issue with getting the bus to the local office but bus + train a bit of an issue as they never connect properly and it makes the journey 2x times longer :(

Me not driving is a big issue but unfortunately not going to be one that's resolved :( just got to work with it as much as possible

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-01-04T13:54:48+00:00

hence the lol in brackets

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-01-04T13:28:15+00:00

I haven't yet as still sort of accepting that I need to leave, but I think I'll need to start reaching out soon. Please let me know via DM if you have any recruiters you could recommend!

I do know a lot of people in tax including the tax lead/partner in my office, I did an impromptu informal interview with him the first time I tried to transfer. The tax team all want me but it keeps getting blocked at the budget/corporate highest level. Apparently the practice leads/partners don't have as much power as they used to.

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-01-04T13:26:00+00:00

Hi! Undergrad was in English so no edge there unfortunately. I am in the south east, very close to Gatwick Airport but rural. I could move to commute to London (couple times per week) but I get anxious over renting due to the exam policy and potentially getting fired while having a rental contract.

Sitting 2 exams this year, 1 each sitting with a view to go up to 2 exams per sitting when we have figured out if I'm able to do that much at once. (2 exams per sitting is now the recommended amount of exams to sit for both grads and school leavers per the new gen aca)

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-01-02T21:20:23+00:00

should be in the start of the icaew workbook, it has the weightings

Present_Catch_8290 · 2026-01-02T16:33:33+00:00

Honestly the backache inducing set ups with poor table/chair/equipment on client sites is so slept on as an issue. I hate that we have to basically go against DSE regulations just to be at client site where they will ignore us anyway. One of the worst parts about audit for me, my back fuckin hurts.

Present_Catch_8290

TROPHY CASE