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Degree 'no pre-requisite for accountancy jobs'
Accountancy News |
10/02/2012
The UK must continue to offer non-university routes into the accountancy profession, according to a leading industry body.
Mark Protherough, executive director for learning and professional development at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), said talented individuals should be able to become accountants without holding a degree.
He explained that around one in five ICAEW accountants currently chooses a non-university route into the profession, and this number may increase in the future.
Mr Protherough was commenting after Big Four giant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) opened a consultation on a first Higher Apprenticeship for Professional Services.
The firm is seeking comment from employers in the accountancy, tax and consulting sectors to support and contribute to the development of the qualification.
Under the current PwC proposals, ICAEW will help establish a distinct route into the accountancy profession for individuals wishing to undertake a higher apprenticeship.
ICAEW explained that employers can support the apprenticeships by contributing to its development, providing training places, or both.
PwC partner Sara Caplan said this represents an "important opportunity" for employers to be actively involved in "building the pipeline "of people joining the industry.
"Ultimately it will make an important contribution to building the business skills of our wider economy," she commented.
"A wide range of views will build a strong core programme allowing flexibility around it for individual businesses' needs."
According to PwC, interest in 'earn while you learn' routes to qualifying in the industry has dramatically increased since 2008.
Applications to the firm's existing school leaver entry programme, which has run for over ten years, are up over 300 per cent in the last four years.
Gaenor Bagley, head of people at PwC, said there is "definitely an appetite" among employers and students for examining new routes into the profession that will not compromise on career prospects, quality training and development.
Posted by John Lynes
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