An International Milestone – How Marilyn Fernandes Became an ACCA SBR Topper in Denmark

Marilyn Fernandes journey with ACCA started with a simple goal. She had already completed her Indian CA and wanted to gain a qualification that could give her a wider view of international accounting and reporting. For her, ACCA was a way to learn how financial information is presented across different countries.

As she went through the papers, she understood that each one needed a different kind of preparation. Strategic Business Reporting stood out because it required clear understanding and the ability to apply concepts to real business cases.

Her steady approach and consistent effort not only helped her clear the paper but also brought her global recognition when she became the SBR Prize Winner in Denmark.

In this conversation, Marilyn talks about her preparation process, her experience with The Wall Street School, and her plans for the next stage of her ACCA journey.

Below is our conversation with Marilyn – Straight from her experience

1. First of all, congratulations on becoming the SBR exam Prize Winner in Denmark! How did you feel when you heard the news?

When I got the email, I honestly thought someone was trying to play a prank on me. It didn’t feel real at first, so I opened it again and checked the sender’s credentials online to confirm if it was genuine. When I realised it was true, I felt happy and relieved. It took a little while to sink in that I had actually become the SBR Prize Winner in Denmark.

2. What made you choose The Wall Street School for your ACCA preparation?

My college friend Shanelle Desouza had studied FRM from The Wall Street School. She was the one who told me that TWSS is good for international finance and accounting courses. Based on her suggestion, I did my own research about the institute, looked through the course details, and found it to match what I needed. That’s how I decided to go ahead with TWSS for my ACCA exams preparation.

3. SBR is one of the toughest ACCA papers. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

As an Indian CA, I found SBR quite manageable overall, though consolidation with forex was slightly tricky. I made sure to dedicate enough time to that part without losing focus on other areas. I kept revising my basics regularly and tried to maintain a good balance between all topics. That helped me stay confident throughout my preparation.

4. Did you face any personal or unexpected challenges during your preparation or exam day?

Yes, my preparation journey wasn’t without its own challenges. I was in a new country with no family or friends around. I had to manage the house, attend Danish language classes, and prepare for the ACCA SBR exam. Sometimes it honestly felt like too much. But I stuck at it. I focused on what was in my control.

On the exam day as well, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. I had to give the exam remotely as there was no test centre in Denmark. I spent 50 minutes and three attempts just trying to log in. I faced different issues such as a failed connection once, incorrect placement of lighting near the table, and other technical glitches. By the time I got into the exam, I was mentally exhausted, angry, and frustrated. Initially, I wasn’t even able to properly recollect and frame my answers, even though I had studied well. I wasn’t following my planned timing for attempting questions. Everything felt like it was falling apart, and I just wanted to give up. But I reminded myself that I had been preparing for months. I must give it my all no matter how bad things seemed.

In the end, I didn’t complete the paper. I attempted probably only 7-8 marks of question number 1 (consolidation with forex). After the paper, I was upset and told my husband that it wasn’t going to work out this time.

When the results came out on 13th October at 1am (Danish Standard Time), I was shocked like never before. I didn’t just pass, I got an exemption (above 60). On 28th October came an even bigger surprise: I had apparently come first in the entire country. It took a while to sink in. I felt proud and happy with myself for standing resilient through those trying times and emerging victorious like a valiant queen after a tough battle.

5. How did the coaching and support from The Wall Street School contribute to your success?

The classes by Ashwini ma’am were very helpful. Her videos were easy to understand and covered every concept clearly. Shilpi ma’am also stayed in touch throughout the course, checking in every now and then for study updates, which kept me consistent. A few days before the exams, she helped me get access to all the practice tests I needed. That constant follow-up and support made me stay accountable till the very end.

6. What advice would you give to other ACCA aspirants who are preparing for SBR or aiming to become prize winners?

Study consistently and take regular tests. It’s a simple but effective approach. Have a clear plan for how you’ll attempt the exam, decide the order of questions and how much time to spend on each. Before the exam, make a proper plan of which topics you’ll revise on which day and how long you’ll spend on each. The last part is very important, because if you don’t follow it, you might end up skipping some areas. 

7. What’s next for you after this achievement?

I’m planning to give SBL in the December attempt. That’s my next focus. I want to continue with the same preparation strategy and stay consistent so that I can perform well again.

Marilyn Fernandes story shows how steady effort and clear planning can lead to meaningful results. Her journey proves that success in ACCA is not about luck but about staying regular with studies and keeping focus on small steps every day.

At The Wall Street School, we see stories like hers as a reminder that progress happens when students take responsibility for their learning and use the right support system around them.

We wish Marilyn Fernandes the best for her upcoming SBL exam and look forward to seeing her continue her journey in global accounting with the same focus and determination.

You can connect with her on LinkedIn here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilyn-fernandes-676181137/