My Life in Numbers: Michael Mallon CA

MY LIFE IN NUMBERS

Michael Mallon CA
Head of Finance, Royal Society of Edinburgh

Michael Mallon CA’s career has seen him run Vespa tours in an Italian vineyard and work for PwC in Australia before winding up in the Scottish capital. Named as a CA Rising Star 2025, he also finds time to be president of a hockey club, a spin instructor and hot yoga enthusiast

1990

I was born in Glasgow in 1990 and spent the first 21 years of my life in nearby Giffnock, but left home after university to move to Edinburgh and eventually the Channel Islands.

12

Even aged 12, I was already looking for ways to earn money, whether it was car washing with pals, a paper round or working at the local shop. My dad’s an accountant, so maths and numbers have always been part of my life.

3

As a teenager, I spent three years as a football coach, training five- and six-year-olds every Monday night. The experience taught me the value of adapting my communication style, a skill I still use today. As accountants, we’re constantly adjusting our approach because we could be presenting to the board one day, the next explaining complex subjects to a layperson with no financial background.

3

As a teenager, I spent three years as a football coach, training five- and six-year-olds every Monday night. The experience taught me the value of adapting my communication style, a skill I still use today. As accountants, we’re constantly adjusting our approach because we could be presenting to the board one day, the next explaining complex subjects to a layperson with no financial background.

2

I spent two years as an ICAS brand ambassador while studying accountancy and finance at the University of Strathclyde. I wanted something on my CV that was a little different to an internship or Saturday job.

2

I spent two years as an ICAS brand ambassador while studying accountancy and finance at the University of Strathclyde. I wanted something on my CV that was a little different to an internship or Saturday job.

70

I failed a couple of ICAS exams first time. I had been working for PwC in Edinburgh, but after failing my exams, I was told they’d terminate my training contract, but I could explore the opportunity to move to the Channel Islands and stay with the firm. I went to Jersey, had an incredible time, made some friends for life and studied hard and passed the exams with 70 and 69. ICAS has taught me the importance of resilience and hard work.

70

I failed a couple of ICAS exams first time. I had been working for PwC in Edinburgh, but after failing my exams, I was told they’d terminate my training contract, but I could explore the opportunity to move to the Channel Islands and stay with the firm. I went to Jersey, had an incredible time, made some friends for life and studied hard and passed the exams with 70 and 69. ICAS has taught me the importance of resilience and hard work.

980

I once did a road trip from Jersey to Florence with my dad. It’s 980 miles and the journey took us five days, using ferry and car. Then we did the return journey four months later.

980

I once did a road trip from Jersey to Florence with my dad. It’s 980 miles and the journey took us five days, using ferry and car. Then we did the return journey four months later.

4

I worked on a vineyard in Tuscany for four months. It involved clearing tables, doing Vespa tours in English, plus opening and pouring lots of bottles of wine. I got free food and accommodation – plus unlimited wine. It was fantastic!

4

I worked on a vineyard in Tuscany for four months. It involved clearing tables, doing Vespa tours in English, plus opening and pouring lots of bottles of wine. I got free food and accommodation – plus unlimited wine. It was fantastic!

23

I took up hockey, aged 23. I was in the Channel Islands when somebody said, ‘Do you want to go on a hockey tour to Newcastle?’ I went along, despite not knowing how to play. Since then, I’ve been playing three times a week and have even taken up umpiring too. I’m now in my third season as president of Grange Hockey Club. I joined in 2019, and quickly became the captain of the sixth team, then got involved in organising their social events and worked my way up to president.

23

I took up hockey, aged 23. I was in the Channel Islands when somebody said, ‘Do you want to go on a hockey tour to Newcastle?’ I went along, despite not knowing how to play. Since then, I’ve been playing three times a week and have even taken up umpiring too. I’m now in my third season as president of Grange Hockey Club. I joined in 2019, and quickly became the captain of the sixth team, then got involved in organising their social events and worked my way up to president.

6

After travelling I spent six months working for PwC in Melbourne. The office was on the Yarra river and I loved the city’s famous cafe culture. One of the best things about the CA qualification is that it’s a passport to working in other countries.

6

After travelling I spent six months working for PwC in Melbourne. The office was on the Yarra river and I loved the city’s famous cafe culture. One of the best things about the CA qualification is that it’s a passport to working in other countries.

2019

I always had a feeling I’d end up in Edinburgh, where I interned for RBS in 2011, and in 2019 I got a job there with fintech firm Clearwater Analytics, where I spent the next two years. I then went to Baillie Gifford and the ESR Group, a real estate management company.

7

Now I’m at the Royal Society of Edinburgh and absolutely loving it. I’ve been there for seven months as Head of Finance. It’s a job which covers everything from month-end reporting to business partnering to financial modelling, and of course the joys of internal and external audits. The RSE is Scotland’s national academy and its mission is to advance learning and useful knowledge to support the cultural, economic and social wellbeing of Scotland and its people.

7

Now I’m at the Royal Society of Edinburgh and absolutely loving it. I’ve been there for seven months as Head of Finance. It’s a job which covers everything from month-end reporting to business partnering to financial modelling, and of course the joys of internal and external audits. The RSE is Scotland’s national academy and its mission is to advance learning and useful knowledge to support the cultural, economic and social wellbeing of Scotland and its people.

£12,000

A typical RSE grant amount for a mid-career researcher over a five-year period is around £12,000. There’ll be lots of small payments over that period too. It’s rewarding to fund the future of research and knowledge in Scotland. I’m currently working on some interesting initiatives to do with the Royal Society’s investment portfolio.

40

We’re very busy at the Royal Society. We’re updating 40 policies for the next year, with 10 a quarter being refreshed, and documenting everything we do. Along with that, we do everything and anything: queries about payroll, onboarding new suppliers, dealing with auditors and writing procedures. There’s a lot being thrown at my small, but talented, four-person team. Fortunately, they don’t need a significant amount of direction.

5

Within the next five years, I’d like to be in a job role such as CFO, director of corporate services or even CEO. I’ve made the transition from financial services to a purpose-driven sector and can definitely imagine myself moving up to a more senior role.

£12,000

A typical RSE grant amount for a mid-career researcher over a five-year period is around £12,000. There’ll be lots of small payments over that period too. It’s rewarding to fund the future of research and knowledge in Scotland. I’m currently working on some interesting initiatives to do with the Royal Society’s investment portfolio.

40

We’re very busy at the Royal Society. We’re updating 40 policies for the next year, with 10 a quarter being refreshed, and documenting everything we do. Along with that, we do everything and anything: queries about payroll, onboarding new suppliers, dealing with auditors and writing procedures. There’s a lot being thrown at my small, but talented, four-person team. Fortunately, they don’t need a significant amount of direction.

5

Within the next five years, I’d like to be in a job role such as CFO, director of corporate services or even CEO. I’ve made the transition from financial services to a purpose-driven sector and can definitely imagine myself moving up to a more senior role.

111

I’ve done 111 parkruns – 35 different races across six countries. My favourite was in Lucca in Italy. I competed in its first ever parkrun, which was a lap of the ancient city walls, and held the course record for a week with an 18-minute 5k, the fastest I have ever run that distance. Pizza, pasta, espresso and wine are the perfect fuel – and maybe a bit of Tuscan sun.

111

I’ve done 111 parkruns – 35 different races across six countries. My favourite was in Lucca in Italy. I competed in its first ever parkrun, which was a lap of the ancient city walls, and held the course record for a week with an 18-minute 5k, the fastest I have ever run that distance. Pizza, pasta, espresso and wine are the perfect fuel – and maybe a bit of Tuscan sun.

5:40

I’m also a spin instructor. Every Thursday night at 5:40pm you’ll find me coaching in a dark little studio just behind the Sheraton in Edinburgh. I’d been going for a while, and one day the instructor tapped me on the shoulder and suggested I give being a spin instructor a go. I absolutely love it.

200

I practise hot yoga once or twice a week to switch off. It helps me sleep better, improves my posture and also provides a much-needed break from screen time. I’ve even got my dad into hot yoga as well. He’s currently on his 200th session.

5:40

I’m also a spin instructor. Every Thursday night at 5:40pm you’ll find me coaching in a dark little studio just behind the Sheraton in Edinburgh. I’d been going for a while, and one day the instructor tapped me on the shoulder and suggested I give being a spin instructor a go. I absolutely love it.

200

I practise hot yoga once or twice a week to switch off. It helps me sleep better, improves my posture and also provides a much-needed break from screen time. I’ve even got my dad into hot yoga as well. He’s currently on his 200th session.

35

I was honoured that ICAS chose me as one of the top 35 in the CA Rising Stars 2025 competition a few months ago. To be recognised alongside such talented peers across the profession is truly humbling. This recognition reflects not just my own journey, but also the amazing support I’ve had from colleagues, mentors and the organisations I’ve been privileged to work with. I’m especially delighted to have been named in the Ethical Leaders category, which builds on values championed through ICAS initiatives such as the Power of One and Beyond the Numbers. These campaigns highlight the importance of integrity, trust and responsibility being at the heart of what it means to be a CA.

r se.org.uk

35

I was honoured that ICAS chose me as one of the top 35 in the CA Rising Stars 2025 competition a few months ago. To be recognised alongside such talented peers across the profession is truly humbling. This recognition reflects not just my own journey, but also the amazing support I’ve had from colleagues, mentors and the organisations I’ve been privileged to work with. I’m especially delighted to have been named in the Ethical Leaders category, which builds on values championed through ICAS initiatives such as the Power of One and Beyond the Numbers. These campaigns highlight the importance of integrity, trust and responsibility being at the heart of what it means to be a CA.

r se.org.uk