Accountancy body urges A-level pupils to consider profession

Call: Gareth Latimer THE opportunities presented by a career in accounting are misunderstood by the majority of students, a leading global body of accountants has said.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) said that many A-level students are unaware of the varied roles within the profession, the level of remuneration and the global mobility it offers.

The organisation is calling on students who are offered a place at university to give consideration to a career in the field of accountancy.

Gareth Latimer, ACCA Ulster branch chair, said: “The accountancy profession is vital for economies to grow and prosper. Many of those that choose it as a career are rewarded with a globally recognised qualification, a transferable skill set, well-paid jobs and wide-ranging and exciting opportunities to progress.

“The varied learning involved in a business degree allows students, once they leave university, to be exempt from the initial two stages of the ACCA professional accountancy exams and keeps open a streamlined route through to a truly global career as accountant.

“The ambition of young finance professionals and the flexibility of the qualification is evident within the Generation Next report, with 80% expressing a desire to work in another country and 85% agreeing that a background in finance will be valuable for organisation leaders in the future.

“It is that national and international outlook coupled with a business and tech savvy skill set that sees so many chief executives, be it in the private or public sector, coming from an accountancy background.”