Consilium and the ICAS Foundation join forces to boost diversity in Accountancy
Imagine an accountancy profession that is socially diverse and open to all. That is the ambitious vision driving a new partnership between Consilium Chartered Accountants and the ICAS Foundation announced today.
The collaboration, marked by a £30,000 donation to the Foundation by Consilium, will support ambitious young people to pursue a career in accountancy, irrespective of their family circumstances. ICAS Foundation students and alumni who are now training or working for Consilium joined Sanjay Singh, Director of the Foundation to formally launch the partnership.
“We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Consilium,” says Sanjay. “Together we will be able to support young people, financially and professionally, from day 1 at university to completion of their Chartered Accountancy exams.”
Creating a pathway for ambitious young people from all backgrounds
As the Foundation’s largest supporter to date, Consilium will create a pathway to CA status for young people through:
- Paid Internships: more paid summer internship opportunities for Foundation-support students will be available than ever before, providing valuable hands-on experience
- Training opportunities: an increased number of opportunities for Foundation alumni to join Consilium as a Chartered Accountancy trainee after graduation
- Mentorship & support: ongoing guidance and mentorship will be extended to students throughout their professional qualification journey and beyond.
This collaborative effort builds upon Consilium’s longstanding commitment to the ICAS Foundation, dating back to the charity’s inception in 2014. Their dedication extends far beyond financial support, as evidenced by Consilium team members actively engaging in mentoring and fundraising activities.
Focusing on supporting young people through university and their professional exams
Elle O’Reilly, an ICAS Foundation-supported student 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 excited to be returning as an intern this June and to secure a place as a Graduate trainee after uni.”
“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 partnership that is already changing lives
Connor Boyd, an ICAS 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.”
This ground-breaking partnership has the potential to dismantle barriers to entry into the accountancy profession. By joining forces, Consilium and the ICAS Foundation are paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive industry, where talent, not background, dictates success.
To learn more about how Consilium supports young people considering a career in accountancy, visit the Internships section of our website.
To learn more about the ICAS Foundation and how to support the charity, visit the ICAS Foundation website.
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