Ken Croarkin - A Chartered Accountant who took one leap—said yes once—and changed a whole life trajectory

One decision can reroute a whole career. When Ken Croarkin said yes to learning insurance in Glasgow, he couldn’t have guessed it would lead to London, a secondment in New York, and ultimately two decades as an audit partner shaping a PE-backed, AI-ready firm. We dive into that arc with clear-eyed detail—how a Chartered Accountant becomes a true global passport, what it takes to cross from UK GAAP to US GAAP and insurance statutory, and why reciprocity and the CPA pathway are less about shortcuts and more about professional standards, ethics, and persistence.We talk candidly about industry specialisation and why it matters. EisnerAmper leaned into sector depth early, creating space for experts to thrive while growing nationally. Ken explains how private equity investment accelerated that strategy—expanding footprint, strengthening people systems, and funding technology—without touching audit quality or independence. For anyone worried about ownership models, his day-to-day reality is reassuring: governance and standards drive the work, not capital. Then we turn to AI. The firm has invested, hired leadership, and is testing tools that promise better risk assessment and smarter use of unstructured data. The point isn’t hype; it’s practical optimism—more time for judgement, clearer insights, and new skills that blend scepticism with tool fluency.There’s a human foundation underneath all of this: community. Moving to the US often means leaving your university network behind, and that’s where ICAS and CAW USA step in with events, introductions and peer support that make a new market feel navigable. The flow of European CAs into the US remains steady, and the value runs both ways as ideas and experience circulate. We close on the case for audit itself—breadth early, depth over time, and a career that evolves with markets and technology. If you’re weighing a move, considering specialisation, or wondering how AI and PE will shape the profession you love, this conversation offers grounded answers and a nudge to say yes when the right door opens.Enjoyed this conversation? Follow the show, share it with a colleague who needs a push, and leave a quick review so more people can find us.