Maxine Clifton has qualified as a chartered accountant - news she received while on holiday in Las Vegas. "It was a great place to celebrate, especially as I didn't have much luck gambling," said the award-winning 22-year-old who works for PKF Accountants and business advisers in Great Yarmouth.
"I'm glad it's all over after more than four years studying. It's great to have my evenings free again. There were times when I had my doubts but I'd urge anyone in the same position to keep going. It is worth it."
The former East Norfolk Sixth Form College student, who lives at Caister, picked up two awards while tackling around 10 stages needed to qualify, passing all her exams at the first attempt.
One award was for being placed second among all East Anglian Society of Chartered Accountants' (EASCA) students with her cumulative pass marks in six exams.
She was also a national prize winner in the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) exams.
Already she is thinking about how to further progress her career.
"I think I'll let things settle for a while and perhaps take up piano playing again. I love music," she said. "But I like to be busy so I might return to even more studies to help my career here."
Michael Muskett MBE, PKF senior partner in East Anglia, said: "It's a great achievement by Maxine after a tremendous effort and we are delighted to have her in the PKF team."
