Recognised by the Industry, Rated by Learners: The Story Behind e-Careers Tutor, Karen Groves 2023 PQ Awards

In a sector where ‘top provider’ and 'lead trainer’ are commonplace claims made by training providers, impartial acknowledgement of a training provider tutor is a truth that potential students can trust.

When PQ Magazine, who are a respected voice in accountancy and finance, announced e-Careers tutor Karen Groves as a winner, it was an accolade not only for a great teacher, but also for the e-Careers support team and the thousands of AAT students who Karen personally taught.

The PQ awards recognise influential leaders in accountancy education and are presented in recognition of the dedication of individuals that fall outside of the traditional award categories.

PQ Magazine is an independent free monthly publication for trainee and part-qualified accountants. They are based in London providing updates on major accounting bodies, exam advice, career advice and industry sector news for AAT, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA and ICAEW students.

The PQ Magazine’s Editor Choice Award presented to Karen Groves in 2023 was awarded for excellence in teaching and support. She was nominated alongside other high calibre teachers, which makes winning the award doubly special. The Editor’s awards are standout accolades within the accountancy sector because they are selected and awarded by the Editor.

The sentiment behind the Award is to put people first by shining the spotlight on Karen who proved excellence in teaching and exceptional enthusiasm and commitment when supporting accountancy learners and part-qualified AAT Accountants.

At the awards ceremony held at the Proud Embankment in London the Editor said of Karen when the award was being presented, that Karen was “A great teacher and a caring, friendly, passionate person”.

The PQ Magazine readership of part-qualified and newly qualified accountants, AAT/ACCA/CIMA students, tutors and employers see the awards as a significant benchmark that reflect current trends within the industry’s training arena.

The Editor’s Choice Award stands out over the other categories, because the selection has been made by a prominent head who has sustained observations of the sector.

Editorial recognition is an unbiased and genuinely true reflection of Karen’s teaching values and abilities as a tutor. When the award is offered by a respected trade magazine, it multiplies the trust a potential student or employer can put in the truth of what is being presented.

A trade magazine has the insider knowhow of the industry, training requirements and the exam pass rates all of which contributes to the allocation of the awards. There is no better or more reliable source of praise than a trade industry magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award.

After Winning the Award

All award winners appreciate the recognition and reward of their skills being acknowledged, but it doesn’t change who they are or how they naturally do their job. Teaching is a vocation that often requires the tutor to go the extra mile. The skills they develop take many years to fine tune.

As Karen Groves, winner of the Editor’s Choice award said “ How I teach and support students is who I naturally am. The student understanding comes from within, and I can’t and wouldn’t want to change it”.

A part of teaching professional studies is to ensure tutors complete continuous personal development (CPD) both in their technical knowledge, awarding body amendments and in the ever-changing face of online education.

CPD guarantees to future students that the respected skills set of a tutor will continue to develop and grow in line with the needs of modern industry.

What Independent Learners Say

Below are the verified student review results for e-Careers (as at May 2026).

The Editor’s Choice award is corroborated by the student reviews above where e-Careers consistently rated highly across all elements of their courses.

Consistency in the results, for potential students, confirms e-Careers as a dependable training provider through its demonstration of ongoing trustworthiness, supportiveness and professionalism shown during its endeavour to deliver high-quality learning experiences to all students.

When the above is broken down further, the high-quality rating for training and delivery on three review platforms, is proof that the teaching and learning is successfully transferring skills into the workplace either through existing employee upskilling or in new employment.

The trustworthiness signifies that e-Careers are professional when dealing with students, which is essential in online learning. Likewise, professionalism is a demonstration of a rigid quality assurance process overseeing all course delivery.

Finally, proving supportiveness is key for students to build confidence in themselves and their ability to pass their course, which ultimately leads to their success and healthy wellbeing.

The following are a selection of what e-Careers students say;

What the Award Really Means

Karen’s award was received for her teaching prowess on the e-Careers AAT Accounting and CIMA Accounting courses.

The AAT Accounting courses are accredited by the Association of Accounting Technicians and CIMA Accounting courses are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, also known as CGMA Chartered Global Management Accountants.

The e-Career AAT courses offer flexible, multiple methods of delivery in one package to ensure the programmes deliver compatibility with all students. The lectures are offered both live and recorded via the comprehensive e-Careers learning platform.

The live lectures are for students wanting a more structured learning experience reflective of a traditional classroom. The recorded lectures are for students who want total flexibility in when they study each week. The recorded lectures also offer an opportunity to revisit and replay for all students.

The lectures are accompanied by extensive e-learning. AAT students are also supplied with a full set of Kaplan Study textbooks for a manual accompaniment to the lectures and e-learning. In addition, a variety of supporting materials, videos, question banks and presentations complete the AAT programmes.

CIMA courses are delivered using the CIMA official materials which includes a detailed learning platform, recorded lectures, interactive e-learning, question banks and CIMA official textbooks.

Both the AAT and CIMA courses have open access tutor support led by Karen the Editor’s Choice Tutor of the Year 2023.

Affordability is especially important at e-Careers. Students have the choice of spreading the costs across the course duration using various interest free instalment plans.

The UK Professional Training Landscape

The professional accounting landscape in 2026 is following the same trends as the training landscape overall. It is being shaped through a shift towards technology driven, advisory focused flexible learning. The existing, accredited, qualifications will remain but evolve into accountancy and technology led courses. An example is the launch of the new L4PAT AAT Level 4 syllabus in September 2026. Whilst solidly remaining accountancy, it will be underpinned by technology and analytical training.

AI has changed the face of traditional accountancy by removing the need for copious data entry. Those roles will evolve into analytical reporting roles.

AI has unleashed opportunities for organisations to benefit from an analytical finance function where decision-making is based on fine detailed internal and external analysis.

In past years, the requirement existed for fine detailed reporting, but it was considered too costly and too time consuming. Now, no function or process will escape analysis and review, generating more efficiency and forward-thinking business decisions.

For a training provider, winning an award in a rapidly changing climate demonstrates the provider is aware and at the forefront of making education relevant to the industry changes.

Who Are e-Careers Accounting Courses For

e-Careers offer a wide range of learning methods and materials compatible with all learning requirements. The range is offered in one complete package to ensure all learners have an equal opportunity to succeed.

• Career starters without prior accounting experience or qualifications.
• Professionals wanting to change to an accounting and finance career.
• Those with computerised accounting experience, but not manual double-entry bookkeeping.
• People who want an industry-recognised accreditation.
• Those aged 16+ looking for an entry-level route into accounting and finance.
• Anyone looking to progress in their accounting career.

Next Step for New Students

• For readers who are still researching your accounting qualification of choice and want additional information, you will find the following AAT and CIMA comparison blog, AAT vs CIMA: Which Accountancy Qualification is for You very helpful.
• For readers ready to enrol please click on the following link to find out more https://www.e-careers.com/courses/accounting

Other awards won by e-Careers in are: AAT Distance Learning Provider of the Year 2026 and PQ Magazine Accountancy College of the Year 2026 link to blog when it goes live

Sources

PQ Magazine June 2023 issue issuu.com/pqpublishing/docs/pq_june23_multi

PQ Magazine Editors Choice Award Announcement Video PQ Awards 2023 - Winner Video

Trustpilot profile for e-Careers https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/e-careers.com