Lewis Scobie, of accountancy and business advisory firm MHA, has become a chartered accountant after successfully passing his ACCA exams.

A 4th dan black belt, Mr Scobie took up karate at the age of five and represented Scotland with distinction, competing in world championships – finishing sixth in the under-16s kata category in Australia and eighth in the over-18s discipline in Japan. As a teenager he was part of a Scotland team that took first place in a European championship karate event, and also won the numerous Scottish male kata championships.

Before moving into accountancy with MHA in Edinburgh, Mr Scobie, 35, was a full-time karate instructor for nine years, working with classes and the Active Schools programme in Fife. When Covid brought his coaching career to a halt, he decided to draw on his accountancy and business degree from the University of Stirling – and started at the city-centre office as a trainee accountant in early 2022.

He credits his success to the discipline he learned through sport, alongside the support of his MHA colleagues and his wife, Heather, a part-time medical secretary.

Mr Scobie, an ABAS (accounting and business advisory services) executive, said: “I’m very proud to have become a chartered accountant. It’s been tough, but I’ve had fantastic support from my colleagues and, in particular, my wife.

“There’s no assumption of prior knowledge at MHA, and everyone studying towards exams is fully supported and respected by the firm.

“The dedication within my sport helped with my exams. In karate, I was always looking to progress and improve, and I found that mindset translated well to my accountancy studies.

“I knew the three years it would take to pass the exams would be challenging, but I liken the journey to my karate values – perseverance, discipline and focus meant the reward at the end has been worth it. Juggling family life alongside studying was tough, but my wife helped massively through the exam period by giving me time at weekends to study.

“Like others I work on a hybrid basis at MHA – three days in the office and two at home. MHA is very flexible, allowing me to work around childcare when my wife is working. It’s a supportive environment built on trust, with a great deal of flexibility unless work requires you to be in the office.”

Originally from Tillicoultry, Mr Scobie now lives in Kirkcaldy with Heather and their two young children. He stopped competing in karate events 10 years ago but still trains 30 years after taking up the sport.

Mr Scobie is part of MHA’s ABAS team, supporting clients with accounting and tax compliance requirements, cloud accounting and broader business advisory services. He was one of four members of the MHA Edinburgh team to recently achieve chartered accountant status. MHA also has an office in Aberdeen.