Consilium Chartered Accountants have formalised their long-time partnership with the ICAS Foundation, with the aim of supporting more talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to make their careers in the accountancy profession.
Consilium Chartered Accountants and the ICAS Foundation have joined forces with one ambitious vision - to help drive forward an accountancy profession which is accessible to every young person with the talent and determination to succeed.
"We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Consilium," says Sanjay Singh, Director of the ICAS Foundation. “Together we will be able to support young people, financially and professionally, from day one at university to completion of their Chartered Accountancy exams.”
"At Consilium, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background," says Consilium founding partner, David Holt. "This partnership is a natural extension of our values and allows us to make a tangible difference in the lives of deserving young people passionate about pursuing a career in accountancy."
A Stepping Stone to Success
With this agreement, Consilium becomes the ICAS Foundation's largest corporate supporter to date, pledging a total of £30,000 over the next four years towards bursary funding for three more talented young people to join the Foundation's flagship 'Nurturing Talent' programme. This financial package helps with the cost of living for students while studying, and supports spending on academic necessities such as textbooks and IT equipment.
Alongside their financial donation, Consilium will also continue its current support, dating back to the charity's inception in 2014, for students aiming to become Chartered Accountants:
- Providing more paid summer internships for Foundation students, offering valuable hands-on experience of working in the accountancy sector.
- Increasing the number of graduate roles available to ICAS Foundation students progressing from university to ICAS Chartered Accountancy training.
- Re-energising volunteering among current employees to support ICAS Foundation students while at university, and throughout their professional qualification journey with Consilium.
(Photo: L to R: Beth Goodwin, Connor Boyd CA, Dean Scobie CA, Emma Mathieson CA (all ICAS Foundation graduates), Sanjay Singh (ICAS Foundation Director), Teri Walker (ICAS Foundation graduate), Elle O'Reilly and Robert Morgan (ICAS Foundation current students).)
Supporting Young People through University
Elle O’Reilly, an ICAS Foundation-supported student studying at Heriot-Watt University said: “The Foundation’s financial support allowed me to go to university and encouraged me to gain real experience through internships. That’s why I joined Consilium for a summer internship. The team are amazing; supporting me and answering any questions about a career as a Chartered Accountant.”
“I’m thrilled to be returning as an intern this June and to secure a place as a Graduate trainee after uni.”
(Photo: Elle O'Reilly, in the Consilium Chartered Accountants offices)
Success Stories
Connor Boyd CA, a Foundation alumnus who became a Chartered Accountant in 2022 with Consilium said: “The Foundation’s financial support at university allowed me to focus on my studies without the stress of worrying about money. Their mentoring scheme provided great insight from real accountants and led me to Consilium to begin my CA training.”
“I’m now building my career with Consilium and taking advantage of the opportunities CA-status offers.”
Read more about Connor's journey with the ICAS Foundation and into CA success on our website.
(Photo: Connor Boyd CA, with ICAS Foundation Director Sanjay Singh)
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For further information, please contact the ICAS Foundation via their website.
About Consilium Chartered Accountants
Consilium Chartered Accountants is an independent firm of accountants in Glasgow helping business owners achieve their goals. Supporting clients across Scotland and the UK since 2013, Consilium is the trusted adviser to successful business owners and entrepreneurs in multiple industries and sectors, with the vision to help clients and their team realise their professional goals.
For more information on Consilium, please visit https://consiliumca.com/
About the ICAS Foundation
The ICAS Foundation is a registered Scottish charity No SC034836. It was established in 2014 to support young people from less advantaged communities to study accountancy and finance degrees and promote a diverse and inclusive pathway into the profession.
To find out more about the ICAS Foundation, visit the website at www.icasfoundation.org.uk. You can support its work by donating, volunteering to mentor a student or providing an internship or work placement. You can also contact us to discuss a specific area where you would like to help.