Resources for Schools
Across our website, we have a range of resources for schools that aim to help young people find their way in the world of work and accountancy. To help make these resources easier to find this page combines them all into one place. We have resources covering how to get started in accountancy and the opportunities we offer school students wishing to find out more. However, we have also shared our experiences of finding and applying for roles, as well as preparing for interviews and work.
Do you have what it takes to become an Accountant?
We recognise that it can be difficult to decide on a career path. There are so many options and so many different paths you can take, even once you have decided. We know that accountancy can be a rewarding and variable career path but how do you know if it will suit you? To help you decide, we’ve put together a dedicated page that has two quizzes decide to see if you have the right skills and mindset to become an accountant. Follow this link to read more and try our accountancy quizzes.
Accountancy Academy
Every year we host our Accountancy Summer School which is designed to help young people decide if a career in accountancy is suited to them.
In 2024, our Accountancy Summer School will take place in Chelmsford our centre and be hosted on the 10th and 11th of July between 09.30 and 3.30 pm. A link to register can be found here.
Our Accountancy Academy is free to attend and whilst it is generally aimed at those in years 11- 13, we have been joined by college and university graduates and those with a general interest in starting work in our industry. You can read more about our accountancy summer school in this article.
Whilst we feel our Accountancy Academy is beneficial to anyone wishing to make up their mind on whether a career in accountancy is suitable for them, it’s always great to hear about previous attendees who are now working in our industry. Even more satisfying is the feedback we receive from these individuals who all believe our academy was instrumental in helping them to decide on their career path and find a role. Many of these former attendees are now studying with us at one of our centres across our network. Our academy is divided into different sections but we always cover the following topics:
- Introduction to Accountancy
- Accountancy Taster
- The Skills needed as an Accountant
- CV preparation and Interview Skills
- Employer Q&A forum
Employability Skills
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we noted that many young people were not getting access to the usual careers advice and had gaps in their work experience due to the lack of part-time work and wider life experiences. Our employability skills article covers how to find the right career path, through to the first day of work. Our team have shared their experiences, consulted with industry experts, and drawn on the best external resources we could find to provide an in-depth guide on how to get started in the world of work.
You can access the full resources here.
The following links will take you directly to areas of interest.
Careers and Schools Events
We regularly attend careers events organised by local schools, colleges, and industry professionals. At these events, we talk to students, often accompanied by their parents about the opportunities within and routes into accountancy. We provide information that helps young people to decide whether to pursue their career path via further education or through an apprenticeship. You can download our guide here.
In addition to supporting careers events, we have also joined individual local schools to help with specific workshops. These have included carrying out mock-interviews, assembly presentations, and skills workshops.
If your school or organisation would be interested in us attending one of your events, then please contact shellytweed@fi.co.uk.
Working with local employers
As well as our Accountancy Academy Employer Forum, we are in regular contact with local employers. We host a range of employer forums that, amongst other topics, also look at the challenges of recruitment, particularly post COVID19. Many of our local employers ask us to help with the recruitment of their apprentices. If you’re looking for a local role within accountancy, then please do send your CV to asawyer@fi.co.uk.
Additional Articles
We have a number of articles on our FI Hub that are useful resources for schools and those looking to get started in our industry. These include:
Careers in accountancy and finance – this article contains videos with topics similar to the sessions we run for our Accountancy Academy.
Accountancy Careers. Where do I start – An in-depth look at the types of roles and paths into accountancy.
Life after school or university– A look at where an accountancy qualification could lead.
Looking for your first job in accountancy – A look at where to get help finding your first job and the resources available.
Useful Links
The industry bodies we work with also have lots of resources on their websites that provide useful information for those looking to get started in our industry. You can use the links below to access these:
