Finance, AI & early careers — made practical

I'm Ali Mirza, a London-based finance and AI professional, freelance trainer and part-qualified ACA accountant. I graduated from Lancaster University with a First Class degree in Accounting & Finance and have around five years of audit and accounting experience across a range of sectors.

I came through the UK state-school system, attending a school that Ofsted rated as needing improvement, where significantly fewer than half of pupils achieved five good GCSEs or equivalent qualifications. That background has shaped how I think about opportunity, confidence and access to professional careers. I know how important practical guidance and relatable role models can be, especially for students who may not see themselves represented in traditional professional spaces.

After building my foundations in audit and accounting, I moved internationally into a customer-facing role at a fast-growing unicorn start-up in AI and financial technology. I worked with CFOs, Finance Directors, audit partners and other senior leaders, helping them understand how technology can improve financial and audit workflows.

Today, I bring together technical accounting knowledge, commercial technology experience and a genuine enthusiasm for helping people learn. I speak and train on finance, AI adoption, financial technology and the changing skills needed for early careers. I particularly enjoy helping students and early-career professionals connect theory with real-world practice, build confidence and make informed decisions about their future.