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When most people hear the word accountant, the first images that come to mind are numbers, spreadsheets, and long hours in front of a computer. Some even joke that it’s not the most glamorous of careers. At one Hot Stories Business Networking event, one speaker joked that being a funeral director was “better than being an accountant.”
But for Melanie Coeshott, being an accountant was not the end of the story - it was the beginning of a far richer journey. Today, Melanie is a coach and trainer for accountants and finance professionals, empowering them to move beyond the stereotypes and thrive as confident, fulfilled leaders in their careers.
A Career Rooted in Finance
Melanie’s career began in the world of accountancy. For years, she lived the profession firsthand, building the technical skills, discipline, and expertise required to support businesses. She knows the reality of the profession: the demanding hours, the pressure to meet deadlines, the constant pursuit of accuracy, and the feeling that accountancy, while essential, can often feel misunderstood by outsiders.
She recalls how at social gatherings, when people asked what she did, admitting she was an accountant wasn’t always the most exciting conversation starter. And yet, Melanie also knew there was more to accountancy than being stereotyped as “number crunchers” or “back-office bean counters.”
What she saw was potential: accountants aren’t just support staff. They are problem-solvers, trusted advisors, and often the people best positioned to influence the direction of a business.
The Leap Into Coaching
So how did Melanie make the leap from accountant to coach? As she explains, it was less of a giant leap and more of a natural step.
“I’d always been interested in my own development,” she says, “and I’d always been drawn to leading and developing others.”
Throughout her career, Melanie found joy in mentoring colleagues, guiding younger accountants through exams, and helping peers unlock their confidence. That passion evolved into a mission: helping finance professionals grow, not just in technical skill, but in authenticity, leadership, and personal fulfillment.
Today, Melanie’s work sits at the intersection of finance and personal development — showing accountants how to thrive as people first, professionals second.
Who Melanie Works With
Melanie’s coaching and training work touches three main groups:
1. Individual Accountants
Many accountants find themselves stuck at some point in their careers. Perhaps they’ve reached a plateau, or they’re struggling with motivation, or they’re at a crossroads - unsure whether to stay where they are or take the leap to something new.
Melanie works one-on-one with these professionals to uncover their motivations, reignite their sense of purpose, and support them in achieving their next step - whether that’s landing a new job, stepping into leadership, or simply rediscovering fulfillment in their current role.
Her approach isn’t about giving cookie-cutter advice. It’s about asking the right questions, encouraging self-reflection, and guiding clients to align their careers with their authentic selves.
2. Accountancy Firms
Becoming an accountant often means training through a firm, completing rigorous exams, and gaining on-the-job experience. Melanie partners with accountancy firms to support their staff at every level - from juniors who are just beginning their careers to senior managers and partners.
Her goal? To ensure they don’t just become technically skilled accountants, but well-rounded finance professionals with the confidence and leadership skills to thrive in today’s business world.
She knows from experience that firms succeed when their people succeed. By investing in their teams’ development, firms create not only better accountants but stronger, more resilient businesses.
3. Finance Teams in Larger Organisations
Not all accountants work in firms - many are part of finance teams in businesses of every size. In large organisations, finance teams can be vast, with layers of staff from assistants to CFOs.
Melanie often begins by working with the finance director or CFO, helping them define goals for their team. From there, she may support the wider leadership group, or work directly with teams to improve collaboration, communication, and effectiveness.
Her mission is always the same: to help finance professionals step out of the shadows and into strategic conversations, moving from being “back-office number crunchers” to influential voices at the decision-making table. www.bluediamondcoach.com
Breaking the Stereotype of the “Boring Accountant”
One of Melanie’s biggest passions is breaking the stereotype of the accountant.
Too often, accountants are seen as dry, detached, or purely technical. But Melanie encourages her clients to bring authenticity and personality into their work.
“Accountants are people first,” she says. “They have creativity, humour, insight, and individuality — and when they bring those qualities into their role, they not only perform better but also feel more fulfilled.”
By helping accountants show up as their authentic selves, Melanie transforms careers and businesses. Authentic professionals are not only happier but also more effective.
Why Coaching Matters in Finance
Some might wonder: why does coaching matter in a field as technical as finance?
The answer lies in the evolving role of finance professionals. Businesses today don’t just need someone to manage numbers - they need people who can interpret data, communicate insights, influence decisions, and lead teams.
That requires more than technical skill. It requires confidence, clarity, and personal effectiveness - all of which are at the heart of coaching.
Melanie’s work ensures accountants don’t just keep up with the profession’s demands but thrive within them.
A Personal Touch
Every day, Melanie works with “fantastic people” - as she puts it - and tailors her approach to each client’s needs.
Some need practical support to navigate exams or career transitions. Others need mindset shifts: the courage to speak up in meetings, the confidence to pursue promotions, or the clarity to step into leadership.
Her coaching is not one-size-fits-all. It’s personal, empathetic, and grounded in her own experience of walking the same path.
Lessons from Melanie’s Journey
Melanie’s story carries powerful lessons, not just for accountants but for anyone navigating a demanding career:
Your career is more than your job title. Being “an accountant” is just one identity. You can choose to expand, evolve, and redefine yourself.
Invest in development. Technical skills may get you started, but personal growth unlocks leadership, influence, and fulfillment.
Authenticity is strength. Bringing your true self into your work makes you stand out and thrive.
Support matters. Having a coach or mentor can help you see possibilities you might miss alone.
Looking Ahead
As businesses continue to evolve, so does the role of accountants and finance professionals. With AI, automation, and new technologies reshaping the industry, the human side of finance is more important than ever.
Melanie’s mission is to ensure accountants are not left behind - but instead, become the strategic leaders and authentic professionals businesses need.
Through coaching, training, and her own passion for development, she’s helping to create a new generation of accountants: confident, fulfilled, and ready to make an impact.
Connect with Melanie Coeshott
To learn more about Melanie’s work, you can connect with her directly on LinkedIn:
👉 Melanie Coeshott
About Hot Stories
This talk was recorded live at the Hot Stories Business Networking event in Cambridge.
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📍 Location Partner: The Red Lion, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge
📍 Also at The Officers’ Mess, Duxford
📸 Filmed by Oksana Hrytsaienko
🔵 Main Sponsor: Blue Line Operations Ltd
💼 Organised by Gemini Web Media
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