BLUE chip financial services firm KPMG has entered into a partnership with a North- East university to boost the number of school leavers entering accountancy.
The firm is working with Durham University and ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) on the programme, which would involve an initial intake of 75 students in September.
KPMG will pay all the students university tuition fees for the six-year programme leading to full accountancy qualification, as well as a degree.
In addition students will receive a salary throughout the six-year period.
During the degree phase, which will last for four years, students will spend part of the time in residence at Durham University, where they will study at Durham Business School, working part-time at KPMG.
On completion of the sixyear programme, students will become fully-qualified chartered accountants with an ICAEW ACA qualification.
Mick Thompson, senior partner at KPMG in Newcastle, said: “We are really excited about this scheme which we think is genuinely groundbreaking and innovative.
“For us, one of the key things is to achieve fair access to the profession by ensuring the greatest number of young people possible go to university, and also have the potential to train as an accountant.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here