Qinsu Zhou's career journey from audit to entrepreneurship

Posted on: 9 April 2026 by Qinsu Zhou in Where are they now?

After studying Accounting and Finance at University of Liverpool and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Qinsu Zhou has built a successful career in audit, progressing through roles at KPMG, Schroders and now Visa. Alongside her corporate journey, she has founded slow fashion brand, ZSLONDON, inspired by traditional Chinese culture and modern design. Read more about how she navigated international study and entrepreneurship to shape a path that blends finance with creativity.

What inspired you to study Accounting and Finance at the University of Liverpool and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University?

"Before going overseas, I focused on preparing for the language and communication style so I could adapt quickly. Choosing Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was a key step, because it offered a genuinely international learning environment in China: programmes taught in English, a UK-style approach that emphasised critical thinking and independent learning, and a degree pathway linked to the University of Liverpool. Being based in Suzhou also meant studying in a fast-developing innovation and business hub with stronger exposure to internships and industry connections. On a personal level, I’m from Shandong, where it’s quite common for parents to be heavily involved in major education decisions; my parents were decisive in the process, but studying at XJTLU helped me grow into making more independent choices and taking ownership of my direction."

Looking back, what was your favourite part of your MSc Accounting programme at University of Liverpool?

"My favourite part of the programme was how practical and career-focused it felt. Studying in London gave me day-to-day exposure to the market and made networking and events much more accessible. The programme also offered ICAEW exemptions, which saved me time and helped me move more efficiently towards professional qualification alongside my Big Four training path. I learned a lot from lecturers who had real experience working in the field, because I could discuss real cases and understand how concepts are applied in practice."

What aspects of your student experience had the biggest impact on shaping who you are today?

"Academically, the biggest impact was learning to be proactive and analytical, and to have the confidence to stand out when I had a well-reasoned point. Coming from a traditional Chinese mindset influenced by zhongyong (the idea of staying moderate and not being too outspoken), I initially tended to be cautious. The programme environment pushed me to speak up, challenge assumptions, and back my views with evidence. It also built my resilience and discipline because it was very intensive: we often had exams every Monday, and by the end we were preparing for ICAEW papers, university exams, and the dissertation at the same time. Managing that workload strengthened my time management and helped shape the way I work under pressure today."

After graduating, how did you transition into your role at KPMG UK, and what were some of the most valuable skills you developed there?

"After graduating, the transition wasn’t straightforward because I was on a student visa, needed sponsorship, and at the time there was no post-study work route, so finding a role in the UK was genuinely challenging. I kept applying, and in the final month before my visa was due to expire, I reached the assessment centre stage. I was very transparent about my situation and explained that, if needed, I could take a short course to extend my visa while the process completed. Shortly after that, I received the offer.

"I then found out there was a summer intake that aligned perfectly with the London office, so I joined straight away. In my first month I was already doing audit work hands-on and meeting senior stakeholders, which accelerated my learning curve. The most valuable skills I developed were prioritisation and communication: working smart rather than just working hard, learning to say no to low-value or unnecessary tasks, and being more vocal when there was a risk or issue to raise, which was also a personal shift for me compared with the more reserved approach encouraged by traditional Chinese philosophy."

In your current role as a Senior Internal Auditor at Visa, what does a typical day look like and what do you enjoy most about the work?

"A typical day usually starts with aligning on priorities for the audit I’m working on—reviewing the audit plan, open items, and any key risks or changes in the business. From there, my time is split between stakeholder engagement and execution: setting up walkthroughs with process owners, understanding how controls operate in practice, and then performing testing (including data analysis where relevant) to validate design and operating effectiveness.

"On the delivery side, I spend a lot of time documenting clear workpapers, discussing exceptions early, and drafting practical recommendations with owners so fixes are realistic and sustainable. As we get closer to the end of a review, the focus shifts to agreeing the final observations, writing the report, and tracking remediation through to closure. What I enjoy most is the variety and the impact—each audit gives me exposure to different parts of the organisation, and I like solving problems with teams, connecting the detail to the bigger risk picture, and helping strengthen processes without losing sight of how the business needs to operate day to day.

"Outside of day-to-day audit work, I also took on an additional role as the I&D champion for my team, and I’m involved in the Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage (REACH) Employee Resource Group (ERG), where we help build community through initiatives such as organising Mid-Autumn Festival and Spring Festival activities. Visa has also sponsored my development through a 13-month programme on AI for business value, where I strengthened my ability to translate technology into practical outcomes."

Alongside your corporate career, you founded ZSLONDON, what inspired you to start your own brand?

"I started ZSLONDON from a genuine passion for traditional Chinese culture and a desire to reinterpret it in a modern, wearable way. A defining moment for me was having my work exhibited at the British Museum in 2023. It confirmed that there is real curiosity and appreciation for Chinese aesthetics when they are presented with confidence and thoughtful detail.

"Growing up with traditional Chinese aesthetics, I’m drawn to balance, clean structure, and details that feel quiet but intentional—and moving to the UK pushed me to think about how to translate those ideas for a modern, international audience. That’s why the brand isn’t about “costume” or recreating history; it’s about reinterpreting cultural elements in a way that fits real life in London, so the designs feel timeless, confident, and wearable. In my own life, I sometimes wear a qipao, but I also create pieces that blend traditional elements into contemporary silhouettes—for example, a trench coat inspired by yuanlingpao, an outerwear style worn by both men and women in the Tang dynasty. I’m also very intentional about materials: I use gambiered Guangdong silk, a naturally dyed textile with a history of hundreds of years that is known for being durable and water-resistant, and I also work with vintage kimono silk as a unique and more environmentally friendly way of giving existing textiles a second life. The brand is built around slow fashion—no mass production—so each item is handcrafted, refined, and designed to feel unique, with an option for bespoke services.

"Personally, building the brand has helped me discover my own identity: I’ve learned to stand out and be proud of my heritage, and I design pieces that help people feel distinctive through craftsmanship and nuance rather than loud branding—so customers aren’t just buying clothing, they’re connecting with a story and an identity through the details."

What have been the biggest challenges and rewards of balancing a demanding role in finance with running your own creative venture?

"Personally, the first people who were against the idea were my parents; they didn’t understand why I would step away from a “fancy” finance career and, jokingly, they called it becoming a “qipao dealer”. That initial pushback was difficult, but it also made me clearer on my purpose and helped me learn how to communicate my vision with patience and results. Practically, the biggest challenge is time and energy management—internal audit is deadline-driven, and running a brand requires creative work, supplier coordination, customer communication, and attention to detail, often outside normal hours.

"The biggest reward is that the two sides strengthen each other: my corporate work has made me more organised, analytical, and professional in how I run ZSLONDON, while the creative work keeps me curious and confident, helps me connect with people in a different way, and reminds me that I can build something meaningful alongside my career."

Finally, what advice would you give to current students and recent graduates who are looking to build a successful career while also pursuing their passions?

"What I can share from my experience is that it’s okay to choose a harder path if it aligns with what you value - and not to be scared of failure. The biggest difference for me has been staying resilient, being realistic about the trade-offs, and making a clear plan (even a simple one) so you can keep moving forward step by step."