Finding Purpose Through Numbers: An Interview with Julie Spence, Founder of NOEXSPENCE

From leaving school at 16 to becoming a qualified accountant, licensed AAT member, certified trainer, and founder of a rapidly growing accountancy firm, Julie Spence has carved out a career built on resilience, purpose, and authenticity.

Today, she leads NOEXSPENCE, an accountancy firm and aspiring training academy designed to remove barriers and redefine what a career in finance can look like.

In this inspiring interview, Julie shares her unconventional career journey, the impact of studying AAT qualifications with ICS Learn, and why she’s determined to help the next generation of accountants succeed.

Julie's Background & Career Journey

You’ve had an incredibly unique path into accountancy. Can you tell us a bit about that?

Of course! As you say, my route into the profession wasn’t conventional at all. Believe it or not, I actually used to want to be an actress – but life had other plans.

In primary school, I was a confident and bubbly person; singing in choirs, thriving in drama, art, and sports; always trying to bring people together. High school was a different story, though.

After experiencing bullying and switching schools twice, I gradually lost sight of who I was. At my new school, I tried to get into drama again in an effort to find my way back to myself, but it had been full, and I ended up in a class for business administration.

I eventually left school at 16 with plans to apply to college for art instead. My mother was supportive but encouraged me to consider an apprenticeship as a Business Administrator as a backup plan. I agreed and can vividly remember when I was accepted onto an apprenticeship with an electrical wholesaler – that moment was what I now believe was a crossroads in my life because, despite getting accepted into art school too, my decision to stay on the apprenticeship route felt incredibly easy.

From there, I moved through construction, hospitality, and facilities management, learning everything from procurement to finance to payroll. Still, it felt like something was missing, though.

Then, at 24, I met my partner and was so inspired by him and his own learning journey, that I soon enrolled on an online Business Management Access course at university. That was the catalyst for me finding not only my passion, but myself again.

What an empowering journey! What then inspired you to pursue accounting?

During my time studying at university, I was introduced to accountancy – and it became my favourite part of the module material! I loved it and wanted to know more about it. After graduating with a distinction, my confidence was boosted, and I was ready for the next step.

I spoke to a careers advisor who introduced me to AAT and their accounting qualifications that offered a direct pathway into the finance industry. It was explained to me that I could start with AAT Level 2 and work my way up to Level 4 to become a qualified Accounting Technician.

After doing some of my own research, I knew this was the route I had to follow. Not only because of AAT’s prestige and professionalism, but their sense of community and inclusiveness.

Having experienced both university study and professional qualifications, how do you think they compare in terms of preparing someone for a career in accountancy?

Both experiences are completely different, but I find they complement each other well.

While university sharpened my academic skills, like writing, critical thinking, and time management, I believe my AAT qualifications were what helped me gain a deep level of knowledge and practical skills that I now apply in my role every day.

There’s no right or wrong path; it’s about how you apply what you learn. Real-world accounting can look and feel a lot different to what you study in a textbook so, for me, having the commercial knowledge and business acumen to understand and support people has been invaluable.

Studying AAT Online with ICS Learn

What made you choose ICS Learn to study your AAT qualification?

Because I was working full time and self-funding, flexibility and affordability mattered too. On AAT’s list of learning providers, ICS Learn stood out immediately with their online AAT courses and personal tutor support. I was already accustomed to distance learning anyway, but there was also the affordability factor of ICS Learn. Best decision of my life.

How did you find the online learning experience?

I adored studying online with ICS Learn. I was a student with them before they updated their online learning platform and loved it even then. However, the update was more user-friendly, with easy access to resources and encouragement while I tracked my study progress.

The tutors were also incredibly helpful and always so responsive to any questions I had. To this day, I still keep in contact with several of them!

Oh wow, that’s great to hear! Tell us, how did you keep motivated while balancing studying with full-time work?

I won’t pretend it was easy – I’m only human! But ICS Learn is flexible, and they offered a study timetable that gave me the structure and confidence to work through the modules effectively. Most of my weekends were dedicated to studying, but I never let it dictate my life. Plus, I love organisation, so I expanded my study timetable into my full weekly planner and kept myself motivated by ticking each task off as I went – as an accountant, this was the most satisfying thing!

If I was ever feeling unmotivated, I returned to my why: the milestones I had set for myself and the reasons I set out on this journey to begin with. Focusing on the bigger picture kept me moving forward.

And were there any standout challenges you faced along the way? How did you overcome them?

Absolutely! Towards the end of my qualification, motivation was the hardest part. I was so close to the finish line that it was like my brain tricked me into believing I already achieved it. So, why put more effort in? But that’s the time where I really had to double down and push forward. I leaned heavily on the AAT community for support and encouragement during that time.

I also took the plunge and set up my own bookkeeping firm while studying for AAT Level 4, which was wonderful, but it introduced financial pressure being self-employed, and sometimes crossover confusion when studying tax modules, as new rates and legislation that applied to my business were coming into force. I was determined to make it happen, though, and to make my career goals a reality.

Very well done! Speaking of AAT modules, which have been most valuable in your career?

Drafting and Interpreting Financial Statements, Business Tax, Income Tax, and, honestly, everything from the AAT Level 2 in Bookkeeping course, as I use that knowledge every single day. In a modern landscape where technology can be leveraged to help streamline and make our processes more efficient, I think it’s imperative that you still have a firm grasp on your debits and credits and how each transaction affects the others.

There are still times in my current role where I’ll scribble out a T-account to ensure I’m making the correct posting.

From AAT Student to Accounting Professional

After completing your AAT qualification, what were your next steps in moving into professional accountancy?

I finished AAT Level 3 while working at a top-35 accountancy firm, but as I prepared to start AAT Level 4, I realised I wasn’t aligned with the environment. I had a choice: stay where I felt unfulfilled or take a leap. I chose myself.

I knew things could be done better; I knew clients deserved to be treated less like numbers and more like humans. I knew that aspiring accountants needed to be supported not only through their studies but in a practical setting. I wanted to be part of that change in our industry, and lead with heart, strategy and purpose.

That's incredible. And you mention studying multiple AAT qualifications before founding your own business! How did they prepare you to make that jump into entrepreneurship and build your own brand?

The knowledge and skills I gained from studying my AAT qualifications helped me immensely in setting up my company for long-term success, from understanding business operations to building cash flow forecasts and ensuring I was pricing profitably.

Being a licensed AAT member also appeals to clients. It gives them the peace of mind that they’re working with a professional who has demonstrated their competence and skills throughout their career.

And what skills from your AAT studies do you use the most in your role as a director?

Time management, organisation, business acumen, communication, and continuous professional development. They’re the backbone of everything I do.

Building NOEXSPENCE & Expanding Her Horizons

Tell us about launching NOEXSPENCE! What inspired the idea, and what brought it to life?

Working in practice ignited that spark. I had always been accustomed to putting clients first. However, as I mentioned, I not only saw clients treated like numbers, but interns overwhelmed due to a lack of support and organisational cultures that didn’t encourage connection or development. That way of working didn’t align with who I was, and I started to think that if I believed in my own abilities enough, maybe I could do better by building something bigger than myself. So, I got to work.

The name NOEXSPENCE was born from a Friday evening chat with my soon-to-be in-laws, paying tribute to my father through a playful, punny twist on his surname.

I started sharing my journey online without realising I was also building a personal brand. I started reaching out to firms I admired, offering my assistance and advocating for my belief that collaboration over competition should be paramount – especially within an industry that used to be known for gatekeeping information.

Now, we’re entering our third year of trade with NOEXSPENCE and our first full year as an accountancy firm. It’s been everything I could dream of and more – and we’re just getting started!

Congratulations! That's so exciting. How did your personal journey shape the idea to expand your business by offering an "alternative route to university"?

My own journey taught me that potential doesn’t always follow a traditional path, and I want to prove that professional qualifications can be just as powerful as university in changing a person’s career trajectory.

When I first began studying to become an accountant, I realised just how empowered I felt gaining a recognised, respected qualification. Advancing through my AAT courses gave me structure, purpose and a clear route to build a career I truly loved, without the financial pressures or rigidity that often come with university.

That’s why expanding NOEXSPENCE to offer an alternative route through what we call our "Accountancy Academy" feels like a natural evolution.

I want to create a space where aspiring finance professionals from all walks of life can access education that’s practical and supportive; an avenue that meets them where they’re at and helps them move forward with confidence.

You’ve spoken a lot about removing barriers to entry into the accountancy profession. What do you see as the biggest obstacles people face?

Many believe accountancy is only for a certain type of person, or that you need a degree or years of experience before you even start. That simply isn’t true.

Financial barriers also stop people before they even start. Not everyone can afford university fees or unpaid internships, for example, and that in itself can deter incredible talent from this profession.

But AAT qualifications change that narrative by making accountancy careers accessible. They provide a structured pathway that allows people to learn while they earn, which has been life-changing for so many, myself included.

Looking Ahead: Advice for Aspiring Accountants 

What advice would you give someone studying AAT online for the first time?

Keep going! You won’t regret it. And utilise the AAT community – it’s full of supportive, amazing humans who genuinely want you to succeed.

What tips would you share for balancing study with work and life?

Don’t chain yourself to your desk! Step away when you need to and be kind to yourself. The Pomodoro technique was my secret study weapon; it uses short bursts of focus with a brief interval in between. This technique has been proven to help with memory retention, and it’s a great way to build a sustainable routine.

What would you say to someone nervous about changing careers?

New seasons are necessary for growth. If you never try, you’ll never know. It’s never too late to steer the ship around.

What’s next for you and NOEXSPENCE?

My focus is on continued growth. Our 5 to 10-year vision centres on developing an Accounting Academy within the firm for aspiring accountants and bookkeepers to learn, earn, and grow. Ideally, we’ll be partnering with other UK firms to help provide career pathways that will hopefully increase retention and reduce the talent gap in the accountancy space.

Would you recommend ICS Learn to others who want to start or advance their career in accounting?

110%. ICS Learn have been fundamental to my career journey. The material, tutors, and support are phenomenal. They’re also affordable and accommodating to your individual needs, and that makes studying AAT online with ICS Learn a no-brainer in my eyes.

Any final message for aspiring accountants?

Your journey is uniquely yours and no one else’s. Don’t compare, celebrate your wins, and challenge what doesn’t feel right. It’s by doing these things that we give others permission to do the same. So be kind and be brave, always. We all deserve to hold space.

Inspired by Julie's story? Take the next steps toward the career of your dreams with a 100% online AAT qualification.