For over a decade, the ICAS Foundation has supported talented young people from low-income backgrounds into the accountancy profession. Here's what that looks like in practice, and who's living it.
"The Foundation has been key to letting me believe that I do deserve a spot in the room."
What We've Achieved
- 400+ students supported since 2014
- £2.9 million invested in bursary awards to date
- 86% of 2025 graduates achieved first or upper second class honours
What the Data Shows
Support that leads somewhere
Academic outcomes
In 2025, 86% of graduating students achieved first or upper second class honours. Momentum is set to continue in 2026, with 38 students expected to graduate and 30 already holding job offers ahead of graduation.
Career outcomes
Of 219 alumni since the Programme's first graduates in 2016, the overwhelming majority have gone on to positive destinations:
- 110 have started ICAS training contracts
- 19 have pursued other accountancy training
- 12 have gone into professional finance training
- 11 have progressed into postgraduate education
- 34 have moved directly into employment
52 alumni have now been admitted to ICAS as qualified Chartered Accountants.
Who we support
100% of our 2025 cohort came from households with an annual income under £34,000, and 49% from households under £20,000. 53% of the cohort were women, and 40% were from non-white ethnic groups.
Mentor outcomes
Since the Programme began, 276 finance professionals have volunteered as mentors, contributing more than 10,000 hours of guidance and support. It isn't one-directional, mentors consistently describe it as one of the most rewarding things they do.
"Having the Foundation's assistance when starting university was so useful, I was probably naïve about how expensive university would be."
Read Lola's story
Partnership Impact
What firms make possible
In 2025, corporate partnerships and philanthropy supported the equivalent of 17 full-value bursary years. Seven students completed internships or placements with our partners, and all seven were offered training contracts.
AAB's three-year partnership alone has produced a graduate hire, an intern turned employee, six working alumni, and five active mentors within the firm.
Why It Matters Beyond Our Students
A stronger, more representative profession
Firms increasingly recognise the value graduates bring when they combine academic ability with determination, perspective and lived experience. By connecting students, mentors, firms and partners, the Foundation helps build a profession that better reflects the society it serves, and is better equipped for the future.
"The support I received through the ICAS Foundation helped me grow both academically and personally. It strengthened my confidence, maturity, and professional skills."
Read Andrea's story
Meet our students
The figures represent real students, each with their own story, their own ambitions, and their own path into the profession. Bursaries and outcomes only tell part of it, the rest is in their own words.
Read the stories to find out how our students have benefited from the support we provide.
Meet our students
Help us write the next chapter
By 2030, we aim to triple the number of Programme places we offer each year. We can only do that with continued support from across the profession.
Donate to the Foundation
