Donegal resident Anne Monagle has attained the highest marks in the country in the Diploma for Accounting Technicians programme this year.
The 35-year-old from Malin achieved the top marks, despite sitting her final exams only months after having her first baby.
Anne was so dedicated to the part-time course at North West Regional College in Derry that she carried on attending the classes through her maternity leave, after the birth of her daughter Allanah Rose.
Anne said: “I did the two-year course part-time, on day release from my employers McCambridge Duffy and Co Ltd in Derry, where I work as assistant manager in the finance department.”
“I had worked in finance and accounts roles for almost 15 years but had no formal qualification in accounting so the ATI was an accessible course to get the qualifications I needed and with huge support from my employers.
“I found the course fantastic and the tutors were also very understanding and helpful during my pregnancy and afterwards going to classes after being up half the night with a new baby.”
Accounting Technicians Ireland’s qualification is recognised as the fastest pathway to a professional accounting career.