Exciting opportunities in accountancy

What do we do?

We partner with a variety of organisations and professional bodies to offer exciting work experience placements for young people from low socio-economic backgrounds, in order to help them gain an insight into accountancy.

Eligibility criteria

In order to participate in Access Accountancy Work Experience schemes, students will need to confirm they match the following criteria:

  • Attend a state school or college and;
  • Are in year 10, 11, 12 or 13 (the exact year required will depend on the organisation) and;
  • The occupation of their main household earner when they were aged 14 is categorised as a lower socio-economic background or;
  • Are/have been eligible for free school meals or;
  • Attend a school that is above the regional average in terms of the number of students eligible for free school meals or;
  • Would be the first member of their immediate family to attend university.

Access Accountancy is specifically aimed at state schools with a higher than average number of students eligible for Free School Meals. If your school meets these criteria, and would like more information about the initiative, please email us.

What can my student/child expect?

Access Accountancy work experience offers your student/child the exciting opportunity to gain real life experience of a job in accountancy.

During the 30+ hours work experience, your student/child will be supported to develop skills to improve their employability and provided with lots of information about a career in accountancy. This will include details of the various routes into the profession including information on both our school leaver and graduate opportunities, depending on their aspirations.

To ensure they can make the most out of the experience, your student/child will be offered support before and after their placement. Provision is likely to vary across the Access Accountancy organisations but may include access to an e-mentor who provides advice on relevant school subjects to study, information on accessing places at the UK’s top universities, careers advice, and support in writing personal statements.

Travel, safety and wellbeing

The host organisation will provide your student/child with lunch and refreshments, as well as covering reasonable travel expenses.

The safety of your student/child is taken very seriously. All organisations will comply with all relevant legislation but you will need to contact the host organisation directly if you want to find out more about their specific policies.