Celebrating a standout year for Accounting and Finance. So, what does the future of the subject area look like?
This year marks a special occasion for the Accounting and Finance subject area, where we are celebrating the 20th year of the launch of the first ever Flying Start programme in the country.
27 April 2022
This year marks a special occasion for the Accounting and Finance subject area, where we are celebrating the 20th year of the launch of the first ever Flying Start programme in the country. Since our Business, Accounting and Finance degree began in 2002, the development of our programme has gone from strength to strength and what better way to celebrate 20 years of Flying Start than by hearing from current student, staff and alumni highlighting what makes our programme unique.
About Flying Start
The course is in partnership with PwC and ICAEW which gives the students the opportunity to fast track their way to qualify as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Students experience their chosen profession with three placements over the duration of the course resulting in a whole years’ worth of crucial industry insight, whilst still enjoying a University campus experience. Not only that, but students on the iconic programme may also receive a full-time job offer to join PwC as a Senior Associate.
With a current annual intake of approximately 60 students, many of our Flying Start alumni continue working at PwC, with some graduates in the business now as Partners. Other alumni have worked at other organisations in an array of roles including Finance Director, Head of Audit and Group Finance Manager.
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The future of Flying Start
Today the course has 217 students, and the aim and vision of the course remains the same from the day it started in 2002 - to develop high quality graduates. One thing to note is that the course is constantly developing and adapting to changes in the accounting profession to ensure our students leave with high quality skills required by future employers. We also offer a bursary open to Flying Start applicants from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Helen Currie, current Degree Programme Director of Flying Start, has been involved in the programme for nearly 10 years and has watched the programme evolve since 2012.
Helen said: “We continue to monitor and adapt to changes within the accounting profession to ensure that our students graduate with the skills required by future employers, a recent example of this is the introduction of using Data Analytics software within the Auditing module. This is something that very few other Higher Education Institutions have introduced yet.”
Addressing issues head on
With the spotlight firmly on our Accounting and Finance degrees, another topic of interest in the industry is being discussed in May – Gender and Diversity in Accounting and Finance.
The event is aimed at prospective students (year 11 and 12 school and college students) where they will hear from females in the industry. From current students and staff to women working in the industry, get a taste of what it means to be successful in the Accountancy profession.
“We continue to monitor and adapt to changes within the accounting profession to ensure that our students graduate with the skills required by future employers...
The event is a safe space for discussion and attendees will have the opportunity to hear first-hand experience, learn about the vast career prospects with the ACA qualification and get the chance to have any questions answered by the range of guest speakers.
Read first-year Business Accounting and Finance student, Maddy's blog about her journey to the programme.