As I post this latest shortlist for the Women in Accountancy and Finance Awards 2020, the judges are recovering from what was a busy judging day in central London yesterday. A rewarding one too. It's a great opportunity for the judges to meet friends and colleagues, and make new ones too. However, to me, they were also bowled over by the fantastic stories that were told in so many of the entries. From a judging perspective this meant that, on occasion, there was broad consensus. Other times there was more debate and wrangling. It was great hearing from these experienced campaigners about the awe in which they held those shortlisted, and that we hope to hear more from them in the future.

Even with just four people shortlisted, it's amazing the variance in careers and experiences that these AAT-qualified women have. This is the sixth shortlist posted for the Women in Accountancy and Finance Awards 2020. More shortlist info to come prior to the big day.

While inspiration can be taken from any of the Women in Accountancy and Finance Awards, the 'Inspiration' categories really focus on women who have triumphed over adversity - and looking to help others learn and progress. These shortlist details cover women working in small practice. And with International Women's Day this week, it feels even more appropriate to post this now.

The fourth time I've expanded on one of the shortlists for the Women in Accountancy and Finance Awards. This time a move away from the practice community, to accountants working in larger corporates. The amazing level of achievement stays the same, though.

In my second article highlighting our awesome shortlisted people in the Women in Accountancy and Finance Awards, we turn to practice leaders. I hope you enjoy gaining some insight into those shortlisted. There's plenty more to come in the next few weeks.

The Women in Accountancy and Finance Awards judges have put in some hard yards to produce the shortlists for the inaugural event. In that process they’ve been hugely impressed in the quality and quantity of entries. So it seemed a good idea to spend the next weeks leading up to the awards ceremony in May highlighting some of those shortlisted.