Celebrating Success!

Training is vital to the region’s future

Training skilled business and finance professionals ahead of the economic upturn is vital for the region’s future, according to a leading chartered accountant.

The last recession of the 1990s showed the importance for professional services firms and the economy of maintaining the investment in student training, said Jim Summers, president of the Northern Society of Chartered Accountants (NSCA).

Mr Summers added: “I’m delighted that the big accountancy firms in the North East have decided to maintain their graduate training programmes, which can only benefit the regional economy once we come out of the current downturn.

“A recent national report by High Fliers Research Ltd showed that the accountancy profession is set to recruit the highest number of graduates this year, representing more than a fifth of the total intake across all sectors. This is an extremely positive trend.”

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales is encouraging its member firms to continue training so they are prepared for the economic recovery when it comes.

Mr Summers was speaking as the NSCA celebrated the success of the region’s trainee chartered accountants in a graduation-style ceremony at Kings Hall, Newcastle University.

The students received prizes in recognition of passing the professional exams leading to the prestigious ACA (Associate) qualification of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Supported by Newcastle University Business School, the event recognised the 74 candidates in the North East and Cumbria who last year completed the ICAEW’s (final) Advanced Stage and the 71 who passed the (interim) Professional Stage.






Rob Jones, director of undergraduate studies at Newcastle University Business School, said: “Interest in our own BA course in business accounting and finance, which is run jointly with PricewaterhouseCoopers and the ICAEW, is as strong as ever.

“We greatly value our links with the profession and are currently discussing other possible programmes which could extend the range of qualifications available to those considering a career in business and finance.”

Guest speaker at the event was One North East board member Ian Brown.