Four students who study A-Level Accounting have secured high-level apprenticeships at major global firms.

Ellie, Georgia, Niamh and Tayyaba each applied for an apprenticeship in Tax Accountancy with a range of top firms. Through lengthy applications processes over the past year, all four of the students have been accepted on to their apprenticeships and will start in September. 

Apprenticeship routes often come with an extensive recruitment process and Ellie spoke about her experience which included video interviews, assessment centres and visits to the UK headquarters in London. She also explained how it was her accounting teacher Pete Lawrence who made her aware of the apprenticeship and had encouraged her to apply.

The students are going on to join PwC, Deloitte and Mazars, all of which were ranked by the CA Magazine as top 10 accountancy firms in the UK, according to ICAS (www.icas.com). PwC and Deloitte are often known as two of the ‘Big Four’ accountancy firms that dominate the professional services across the world. 

Ashton Sixth Form College works with a number of top financial and legal firms to ensure students are able to build networks and ask questions from the employers who know their industry best. This academic year alone, PwC visited Accounting students, past students who progressed on to Grant Thornton returned to share their stories and the college also continued to develop strong links with Ernst and Young. 

This year, a number of students were successful in joining Ernst and Young and PwC for work experience, during summer placements and employment visits. Georgia was one of the students who spent a week on work experience last year and has now gained a place with the company.

According to the Financial Reporting Council, in 2017 the average number of females who were members of accountancy bodies was at just 36% (www.frc.org.uk). This number has continued to rise year on year and these four female students are ensuring that women remain represented within the profession.

Ellie studies Accounting, Maths and Business. She will join PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) on a Tax Consulting apprenticeship in September. She began her high school education at All Saints Catholic College.

Georgia from Mossley Hollins High School studies Accounting, Maths and Spanish. She has also been accepted on to an apprenticeship in Corporate Tax with PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers). 

Niamh studies Accounting, Economics and Business at Ashton and has secured an apprenticeship with Deloitte in Tax Accountancy. She began her education at Fairfield High School for Girls.

Tayyaba has secured an apprenticeship with Mazars, one of Europe’s largest global accounting firms. She studies Accounting, Maths and Chemistry at Ashton and completed her high school education at Great Academy Ashton.