By The content team Social mobilityWhy is neurodiversity important in accountancy?8 Jun 2022 Neurodiversity can be a huge advantage for finance teams, yet people with autism are often marginalised. Rosie Weldon, an accountant with autism, shares her story. When Greta Thunberg described her Asperger’s syndrome as being like a “superpower”, it confirmed what many organisations with a neurodiverse workforce knew all along – employing people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can boost business. For starters, just look at the high-profile business people with ASD (Elon Musk has Asperger’s, banker Charlotte Valeur) or those rumoured to have it (Bill Gates, Steve Jobs). Valuable additional skillsThe traits shared by many people with ASD, such as brilliant long-term memory, problem-solving (one University of Montreal study suggests people with autism are 40% better at solving problems than people without) and shockingly good pattern-spotting skills, are all valuable when working in accountancy. Yet, because ASD is a developmental condition that also affects social interaction, many struggle with job interviews and with workplace communication. An estimated one in every 100 people in the UK has autism, yet only 22% of adults with autism are in full-time employment. As more businesses (such as the Big Four) begin to embrace a neurodiverse workforce, experts believe more can be done.Rosie’s story: The diagnosisHere, 30-year-old Rosie Weldon, a Dorset-based accountant for Zodeq, tells us how her career has benefited since being diagnosed with autism five years ago: “I’d always wanted to be an accountant. But when I was asked to do a five-week work placement at a finance firm as part of my degree course, I had a massive breakdown. I just couldn’t do it. The thought of going into a different environment and speaking to new people was completely undoable for me. My dreams of being an accountant were crumbling. If I couldn’t even do a five-week placement, how would I ever find a job? “Around the same time, I received job interview feedback that told me about my lack of eye contact. Something then clicked in my mind – could I be autistic? My eye contact has never been great. I’d often find myself staring at the floor when speaking with people. But other signs of autism had been there my whole life. I’ve always found it difficult ordering drinks at a bar, I am touch-averse, I avoided group work and presentations at university, and I am always wearing the same clothes. People just put it down to shyness or being socially awkward. But as a later diagnosis revealed, I am autistic. Understanding my condition“The diagnosis has since opened so many doors for me. Now, when somebody knows I’m autistic, it’s like giving them a manual to understand my behaviour – these weird things that I do make sense when looking at it through the lens of autism. “What’s more, these traits are exactly the skills you need in accountancy, such as being able to hyper-focus. There’s no emotion or subjectivity with a set of accounts. Things have to be crystal-clear – a number eight is a number eight, it can’t be anything else. Yes, I can be occasionally direct, but maybe it’s a good thing as an accountant, as it ensures I get the job done. “I’m working for a wonderful employer. My boss ensures I can work from home and has previously given me a quiet desk in the corner of the office. However, not every workplace is so welcoming. I previously worked for a large organisation who pushed me with long hours. I ended up having constant panic attacks and wasn’t sleeping or eating. It ended up pushing my brain so far, I developed a neurological disorder where I temporarily lost the ability to walk. The benefits of a diverse team“Having a diverse team – whether it’s neurodiversity, age or ethnicity – is a great thing. What’s the point of having 11 goalkeepers in a team? Neurodivergent people think differently and offer an alternative perspective, which could solve a lot of business problems. “Today, I’m also an autism advocate, writing a blog and some books. It’s good for me to reach students through 20 magazine too. In 2016, when I was a student, I was told I could never be an accountant because of the way I communicate with people. If you’re neurodivergent and others tell you can’t work in finance, ignore it – there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t succeed.” “Neurodivergent people think differently and offer an alternative perspective, which could solve a lot of business problems.” Why professionals with autism make great accountants Laurel Herman from Aspierations, a company that helps people with ASD find jobs, tells us more about why professionals with autism make great accountants Q. Why do you think neurodivergent people make good accountants? Many neurodivergent people have analytical qualities, a talent for memory retention and an ability to form patterns – all of which means they work quicker. Many also like repetitive tasks. Although some accountants might be bored doing routine bookkeeping tasks, some people with ASD enjoy it, even getting obsessive about it – if a spreadsheet is missing 5p, they will find it! I also spoke with a senior tax expert at a Big Four firm recently – he was saying that tax is a great area for people on the ASD spectrum, because many love rules. Given there’s a skills shortage and war for talent at the moment, businesses need to realise they have to be diverse and inclusive. Q. What should you do if you suspect you might be neurodivergent? There’s an online test developed by world-leading autism expert Simon Baron-Cohen, which you can find at aspietests.org. It isn’t definitive, but can give an idea. You can also apply for diagnosis at the NHS, but it can be a long process that takes up to 18 months. If you have been diagnosed, you can legally ask for reasonable adjustments, such as having a quiet zone in the office, exam assistance or noise-cancelling headphones. Q. How can people support neurodivergent fellow students? Make them feel part of the team. Gently invite them to team events but remember many neurodivergent people may not want to come. And realise what they can achieve – they have potential, but unfortunately the world is passing many of them by. The importance of recruiting a diverse and inclusive workforceHow to nurture a neurodiverse workplaceHow studying AAT positively shaped my future The content team are the owners of AAT Comment.