Eyes on the prize
Three winners of this year’s Charles Scott Prize reveal why they’re setting their sights on a career in chartered accountancy
Words: Julie Burniston
Eyes on the prize
Three winners of this year’s Charles Scott Prize reveal why they’re setting their sights on a career in chartered accountancy
Words: Julie Burniston
Twelve of Scotland’s brightest aspiring accountants have been recognised by ICAS as winners of the 2025 Charles Scott Prize. Presented annually to the top accountancy student from each Scottish university, the award celebrates both academic excellence and the promise of future leadership within the profession.
For Jason Howie, 23, being one of the winners represents far more than academic success – it’s proof that determination can transform even the toughest start in life. “I was born in Edinburgh and grew up on a council estate,” he says. “My dad passed away when I was eight, and my mum was a single parent to five of us. She did her best with what little she had.”
Howie’s route into accountancy wasn’t conventional. “I didn’t achieve the grades I wanted at school because Covid hit and I never sat my final exams,” he explains. Unsure of his next move, he stayed on at McDonald’s, where he’d been working part-time since he was 16. “It wasn’t what I wanted to do, but it gave me time to think,” he says. “Accounting had been one of the few subjects I really enjoyed, so I decided to study for an HND at Edinburgh College.”
That decision changed everything. “I knew I had to get top grades, so I put my head down and worked hard,” he says. His efforts paid off: with straight As, Howie earned direct entry into the third year at Heriot-Watt University, where he thrived both academically and personally.
A semester at the university’s Dubai campus proved transformative. “It broadened my horizons,” says Howie. “Being immersed in a new culture taught me so much about adaptability and ambition.”
Graduating with a first-class master’s in accountancy and finance, Howie also received back-to-back Deputy Principal’s Awards for Academic Excellence. When he learned he’d won the Charles Scott Prize, he was “gobsmacked”.
“Through perseverance, dedication and the support of some amazing people, I’ve turned uncertainty into achievement”
JASON HOWIE
“There was so much talent in my year, so to be recognised by ICAS was incredible,” he says. Howie received his award at graduation and later attended a celebratory lunch at ICAS House in Edinburgh. “It was amazing meeting other winners and qualified CAs, hearing their stories and getting an insight into the sector.”
Shortly afterwards, Grant Thornton, an ICAS partner firm, offered him a training contract. “That phone call changed everything,” he smiles. “Now I’m an Audit Associate studying for my CA. I love what I do – the problem-solving, the teamwork, the client relationships. One of my former peers told me that accounting was ‘just adding and subtracting’, but he couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Looking ahead, Howie hopes to take his CA abroad. “My route may not have been easy,” he reflects, “but I wouldn’t change a thing. Through perseverance, dedication and the support of some amazing people, I’ve turned uncertainty into achievement – and that’s something I’m really proud of.”
Twelve of Scotland’s brightest aspiring accountants have been recognised by ICAS as winners of the 2025 Charles Scott Prize. Presented annually to the top accountancy student from each Scottish university, the award celebrates both academic excellence and the promise of future leadership within the profession.
For Jason Howie, 23, being one of the winners represents far more than academic success – it’s proof that determination can transform even the toughest start in life. “I was born in Edinburgh and grew up on a council estate,” he says. “My dad passed away when I was eight, and my mum was a single parent to five of us. She did her best with what little she had.”
Howie’s route into accountancy wasn’t conventional. “I didn’t achieve the grades I wanted at school because Covid hit and I never sat my final exams,” he explains. Unsure of his next move, he stayed on at McDonald’s, where he’d been working part-time since he was 16. “It wasn’t what I wanted to do, but it gave me time to think,” he says. “Accounting had been one of the few subjects I really enjoyed, so I decided to study for an HND at Edinburgh College.”
That decision changed everything. “I knew I had to get top grades, so I put my head down and worked hard,” he says. His efforts paid off: with straight As, Howie earned direct entry into the third year at Heriot-Watt University, where he thrived both academically and personally.
A semester at the university’s Dubai campus proved transformative. “It broadened my horizons,” says Howie. “Being immersed in a new culture taught me so much about adaptability and ambition.”
Graduating with a first-class master’s in accountancy and finance, Howie also received back-to-back Deputy Principal’s Awards for Academic Excellence. When he learned he’d won the Charles Scott Prize, he was “gobsmacked”.
“Through perseverance, dedication and the support of some amazing people, I’ve turned uncertainty into achievement”
JASON HOWIE
“There was so much talent in my year, so to be recognised by ICAS was incredible,” he says. Howie received his award at graduation and later attended a celebratory lunch at ICAS House in Edinburgh. “It was amazing meeting other winners and qualified CAs, hearing their stories and getting an insight into the sector.”
Shortly afterwards, Grant Thornton, an ICAS partner firm, offered him a training contract. “That phone call changed everything,” he smiles. “Now I’m an Audit Associate studying for my CA. I love what I do – the problem-solving, the teamwork, the client relationships. One of my former peers told me that accounting was ‘just adding and subtracting’, but he couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Looking ahead, Howie hopes to take his CA abroad. “My route may not have been easy,” he reflects, “but I wouldn’t change a thing. Through perseverance, dedication and the support of some amazing people, I’ve turned uncertainty into achievement – and that’s something I’m really proud of.”
Growing up in Aberdeen, 21-year-old Monica Gray always had a natural aptitude for accountancy, though she never imagined her academic excellence would one day earn her the Charles Scott Prize.
“I wasn’t aware of the award until I received an email from my university and ICAS,” she recalls. “It was such a surprise and a really proud moment.”
Gray began her degree at Robert Gordon University (RGU) at just 17, throwing herself into her studies while her peers followed other paths. “My family encouraged me to focus on my degree as much as possible, so I gave it everything,” she says. “It was an intense course, and many sacrifices had to be made throughout, but I knew it would be for my benefit in the long term.”
“Long term, I’d love to work abroad. But for now, I’m exactly where I want to be – learning, developing and contributing to work that truly matters”
MONICA GRAY
A placement year with AAB accountants proved pivotal, sparking her passion for audit. “I absolutely loved it,” she says. “The variety, the people I met… it was fast-paced and so exciting.”
After graduating with first-class honours in accounting and finance, Gray started a role as an Audit Assistant with AAB accountants a few months ago and is now balancing full-time work with her CA studies. Although she couldn’t attend the ICAS winners’ lunch in Edinburgh, she celebrated her achievement in style, thanks to RGU.
“I was presented with the award by ICAS’ [Business Development Manager] Jamie Ferguson, at the RGU Business School Awards ceremony. It was very rewarding to see my hard work being recognised by both the university and ICAS.”
Now focused on developing her skills and progressing in her career, Gray has clear ambitions. “Long term, I’d love to work abroad – Asia really interests me,” she says. “But for now, I’m exactly where I want to be – learning, developing and contributing to work that truly matters.”
Growing up in Aberdeen, 21-year-old Monica Gray always had a natural aptitude for accountancy, though she never imagined her academic excellence would one day earn her the Charles Scott Prize.
“I wasn’t aware of the award until I received an email from my university and ICAS,” she recalls. “It was such a surprise and a really proud moment.”
Gray began her degree at Robert Gordon University (RGU) at just 17, throwing herself into her studies while her peers followed other paths. “My family encouraged me to focus on my degree as much as possible, so I gave it everything,” she says. “It was an intense course, and many sacrifices had to be made throughout, but I knew it would be for my benefit in the long term.”
“Long term, I’d love to work abroad. But for now, I’m exactly where I want to be – learning, developing and contributing to work that truly matters”
MONICA GRAY
A placement year with AAB accountants proved pivotal, sparking her passion for audit. “I absolutely loved it,” she says. “The variety, the people I met… it was fast-paced and so exciting.”
After graduating with first-class honours in accounting and finance, Gray started a role as an Audit Assistant with AAB accountants a few months ago and is now balancing full-time work with her CA studies. Although she couldn’t attend the ICAS winners’ lunch in Edinburgh, she celebrated her achievement in style, thanks to RGU.
“I was presented with the award by ICAS’ [Business Development Manager] Jamie Ferguson, at the RGU Business School Awards ceremony. It was very rewarding to see my hard work being recognised by both the university and ICAS.”
Now focused on developing her skills and progressing in her career, Gray has clear ambitions. “Long term, I’d love to work abroad – Asia really interests me,” she says. “But for now, I’m exactly where I want to be – learning, developing and contributing to work that truly matters.”
For Grace Sellick, 20, the Charles Scott Prize marks a remarkable beginning to her Scottish academic journey – and the first milestone in what promises to be an outstanding career.
“I was born in Cape Town, and my family moved to Scotland at the end of 2023,” she explains. “It was a huge change. I’d just finished high school and never imagined studying anywhere other than South Africa, but I was excited to start a new chapter.”
“Winning this award has given me confidence
that I’m on the right path”
GRACE SELLICK
Sellick’s passion for accounting began early. “I’ve known since I was 14 that this was what I wanted to do,” she says. “My dad works in finance, so I grew up around it and always looked up to him.”
When it came to choosing a university, the University of Stirling immediately stood out. “It was my top choice,” she says. “The campus, the people, the course – everything felt right. I was over the moon when I got my offer.”
Receiving the Charles Scott Prize was a defining moment. “I had no idea until I opened the email,” Sellick laughs. “I was astounded as I’d heard so much about ICAS since moving here, and to be recognised by them so early in my studies was incredible.”
Unable to attend the main ceremony, Sellick later visited ICAS House in Edinburgh to collect her prize. “Judith [Wilson, University Engagement Manager] from ICAS invited me to come in,” she says. “She was so kind and told me more about the organisation – it made the experience even more special.”
Now in her second year of a four-year accountancy with economics degree, Sellick’s ambitions are crystal clear. “After graduation, I want to secure a training contract with one of the Big Four and study for my CA,” she says. “Winning this award has given me confidence that I’m on the right path – and I believe the CA and this award will open so many doors.”
Despite her success, Sellick remains grounded and grateful. “I’ve made great friends through my course and my waitressing job,” she smiles. “I still talk to my friends back home – some are studying accountancy too, so we compare experiences.”
And when people joke that accounting is just number-crunching, she laughs. “Honestly, most of that’s already automated by AI,” she says. “What can’t be replaced is the human side – talking to people, understanding them. That’s what makes accounting so special.”
The full list of 2025 winners was as follows:
- Szymon Iskierka, Abertay University
- Jennifer Whitehead, Edinburgh Napier University
- Millie Cooley, Glasgow Caledonian University
- Jason Howie, Heriot-Watt University
- Monica Gray, Robert Gordon University
- Zoe O’Meara, University of Edinburgh
- Ella MacLean, University of Aberdeen
- Hannah Finlayson, University of Dundee
- Ethan McDonald, University of Glasgow
- Grace Sellick, University of Stirling
- Craig Differ, University of Strathclyde
- Aaron Sweeney, University of the West of Scotland
Read more about this year’s prize
For Grace Sellick, 20, the Charles Scott Prize marks a remarkable beginning to her Scottish academic journey – and the first milestone in what promises to be an outstanding career.
“I was born in Cape Town, and my family moved to Scotland at the end of 2023,” she explains. “It was a huge change. I’d just finished high school and never imagined studying anywhere other than South Africa, but I was excited to start a new chapter.”
“Winning this award has given me confidence
that I’m on the right path”
GRACE SELLICK
Sellick’s passion for accounting began early. “I’ve known since I was 14 that this was what I wanted to do,” she says. “My dad works in finance, so I grew up around it and always looked up to him.”
When it came to choosing a university, the University of Stirling immediately stood out. “It was my top choice,” she says. “The campus, the people, the course – everything felt right. I was over the moon when I got my offer.”
Receiving the Charles Scott Prize was a defining moment. “I had no idea until I opened the email,” Sellick laughs. “I was astounded as I’d heard so much about ICAS since moving here, and to be recognised by them so early in my studies was incredible.”
Unable to attend the main ceremony, Sellick later visited ICAS House in Edinburgh to collect her prize. “Judith [Wilson, University Engagement Manager] from ICAS invited me to come in,” she says. “She was so kind and told me more about the organisation – it made the experience even more special.”
Now in her second year of a four-year accountancy with economics degree, Sellick’s ambitions are crystal clear. “After graduation, I want to secure a training contract with one of the Big Four and study for my CA,” she says. “Winning this award has given me confidence that I’m on the right path – and I believe the CA and this award will open so many doors.”
Despite her success, Sellick remains grounded and grateful. “I’ve made great friends through my course and my waitressing job,” she smiles. “I still talk to my friends back home – some are studying accountancy too, so we compare experiences.”
And when people joke that accounting is just number-crunching, she laughs. “Honestly, most of that’s already automated by AI,” she says. “What can’t be replaced is the human side – talking to people, understanding them. That’s what makes accounting so special.”
The full list of 2025 winners was as follows:
- Szymon Iskierka, Abertay University
- Jennifer Whitehead, Edinburgh Napier University
- Millie Cooley, Glasgow Caledonian University
- Jason Howie, Heriot-Watt University
- Monica Gray, Robert Gordon University
- Zoe O’Meara, University of Edinburgh
- Ella MacLean, University of Aberdeen
- Hannah Finlayson, University of Dundee
- Ethan McDonald, University of Glasgow
- Grace Sellick, University of Stirling
- Craig Differ, University of Strathclyde
- Aaron Sweeney, University of the West of Scotland
Read more about this year’s prize
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