ICAS Foundation

‘My mentoring experience has been very positive so far, and I feel lucky to have been matched with someone who suits me really well. We’ve discussed a wide range of topics, particularly career options and how a business operates internally’.

Zaid, a final year accountancy student at Middlesex University, has hugely benefited from having a mentor as part of our Nurturing Talent programme. After a successful internship with AAB focusing on global mobility tax, he’s now been offered a graduate role with the company. Well done, Zaid - we couldn’t be prouder 🌟

Applications are now open for our next cohort! If you know a talented student like Zaid who could benefit from our support, encourage them to apply 👇

https://www.icasfoundation.org.uk/what-we-offer/icas-foundation-programme

‘My mentor Graeme was fantastic with me since day one. He helped me get my foot in the door at AAB for my placement, and has continued to be a mentor to me personally and professionally for the last five years. I’m so grateful to have him as a mentor, and I believe his support has helped me so much’.

Ben graduated with a 2:1 from Robert Gordon University last year. Commuting from coastal Aberdeenshire, Ben used his bursary for fuel to attend his lectures. Ben now works as a Business Advisory Assistant in ICAS training with AAB in Aberdeen, having previously completed a year in industry with the firm during his course.

Applications are now open for our Nurturing Talent programme! If you know a dedicated and talented student like Ben who could benefit from our support, encourage them to apply now - applications close 31 May 👇

https://www.icasfoundation.org.uk/what-we-offer/icas-foundation-programme

'My mentor Amy has really been a huge part of my entire time at university. I genuinely appreciate everything she’s done for me. All the challenges I’ve faced in terms of academics and career, she’s been there to help me work through it! The bursary has also been extremely helpful in helping me cope with rent and bill increases due to the cost-of-living crisis affecting us all’.

Dawood is a final year accountancy and finance student at the University of Aberdeen, who’s benefited hugely from our support over the course of his degree. He’ll be graduating later this year, and taking up a position at NatWest 🌟

Applications are now open for our next cohort! If you know a dedicated student like Dawood who could benefit from our support, encourage them to apply now - applications close 31 May 👇

https://www.icasfoundation.org.uk/what-we-offer/icas-foundation-programme

‘I found out about the ICAS Foundation through my accountancy teacher at school. After successfully applying, I’ve never looked back. As no one in my family had been to university, I was probably naïve about how expensive it would be. The ICAS Foundation’s assistance helped with purchasing textbooks, my accommodation fees and funding my travel, both around Edinburgh and for visits home. I was also the only one of my friends with a part time job, but having a good study plan really helped with managing my academic workload and still having some time to relax. I was encouraged by my mentor to apply for internships, and this was a big factor in helping me get to grips with the process - having the internships then prepared me really well for the graduate workplace. Getting to where I am today would have been much more difficult without the Foundation’s support’.

Lola graduated with a 2:1 from The University of Edinburgh last year. An Alumni Ambassador for the Foundation, Lola loves to give back, and now works as an Audit Associate at Deloitte, where she’s studying for her exams to become an ICAS - The Professional Body of CAs Chartered Accountant.

If you know a talented student like Lola who could benefit from our support, encourage them to apply for our Nurturing Talent Programme 👇

https://www.icasfoundation.org.uk/what-we-offer/icas-foundation-bursary-applications

‘My mentor George has been phenomenal. We have great communication, and he’s always there to help when I need him. Not only does he help with university work, but I feel like he’s enabled me to think outside that and start preparing myself for life after my studies. A lot of his advice is something I now use day to day, and I'm so grateful for his time and effort. I can’t wait to continue building on all of this next semester!’

Leah, a final year accountancy student at University of Strathclyde and Consilium multi-year intern, has hugely benefited from having a mentor as part of our Nurturing Talent programme. She also receives a bursary, which helps her travel to her lectures, and to keep her part-time job hours low so she can focus on her studies. She’ll be graduating in June, and we can’t wait to see her excel in her accountancy career 🌟

Applications are now open for our next cohort! If you know a talented student like Leah who could benefit from our support, encourage them to apply 👇

https://www.icasfoundation.org.uk/what-we-offer/icas-foundation-programme

🚨 We're hiring 🚨

Do you want to help talented young people reach their full potential?

We’re looking for a dynamic Learning and Programmes Officer to join our team. If you love working with young people in an educational setting, and you have experience in programme administration, stakeholder engagement, events support and volunteer coordination, then this is the role for you!

Applications close 21 April. Apply now: https://tinyurl.com/27a9tf8z.

‘The mix of mentorship and financial support from the ICAS Foundation made such a huge difference throughout my studies. They stayed in touch with me throughout my degree, offering support whenever it was needed. Their regular progress reports really helped to address things like the cost-of-living challenges I was facing, as well as navigating post-COVID difficulties. My mentor was also incredible. He guided me through coursework challenges, helped with my dissertation data collection, and gave me brilliant advice on internships and career options. And the Foundation’s bursary meant that I didn’t have to juggle a part-time job during term time, which meant I could focus on my studies and do my best. So if you’re thinking of applying for the Nurturing Talent programme - go for it!’

Niamh graduated from Heriot-Watt University in 2024 with a first in Accountancy & Finance, and now works as a Finance Graduate at M & G plc. We’re extremely proud to offer life-changing support for aspiring accountants from low-income backgrounds; creating a diverse and inclusive profession.

Our partnership with Heriot Watt University means that together we can offer financial and mentoring support to more students on their accountancy and/or finance degrees. If you know a student who could benefit from our support like Niamh has, encourage them to apply now 👇

https://www.icasfoundation.org.uk/what-we-offer/icas-foundation-bursary-applications

‘I found out about the ICAS Foundation through one of my second-year lecturers and successfully applied to join the programme at the start of my third year. Being part of the Foundation made a huge difference – it helped me develop professionally, opened my eyes to the accounting profession, and gave me a realistic understanding that taking the next steps into ICAS chartered accountancy training would not always be easy. The bursary also helped with textbooks, travel, and other costs, allowing me to focus on my studies. To anyone thinking of applying to the ICAS Foundation: just do it! It's a fantastic opportunity, and you don't know what you're missing until you're part of the programme. It opens a door to the profession that other people don't have, and it made such a huge difference to my final years at university. I wouldn't be where I am today without this support’.

Despite starting university during a global pandemic, Sophie, graduated with a first from Glasgow Caledonian University in 2024. With the help of the Foundation, she secured a summer internship with wbg, and is now on an ICAS training contract in audit at the same firm - where she is thriving. We couldn’t be prouder of Sophie, and all our former students who have gone on to do brilliant things in accountancy 🌟

Do you know a student like Sophie who would benefit from our support during their studies? Our partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University means that together we can offer financial and mentoring support to more students on their accountancy and/or finance degrees. Find out more 👇

https://www.icasfoundation.org.uk/what-we-offer/icas-foundation-bursary-applications

Are internships a gamechanger, or a ‘nice to have’?

Find out more in ICAS - The Professional Body of CAs' latest ‘Career Conversations’ webinar on April 14, at 12pm 👀

Whether you've landed an internship or are exploring other ways to build experience, this session will give insight into how work experience of any type can boost your CV, sharpen professional skills, and give you greater clarity about what you want from your career. You’ll hear from Iain Abernethy from accountancy firm AAB, where three ICAS students have achieved 2026 internship offers 🌟

Will we see you there? Link to book in comments 👇

Last weekend, Alumni Ambassador and trainee Chartered Accountant Chloe, Founder of our corporate partner IMultiply Kirsty and twelve-year-old MJ braved a dizzying one-hundred-foot drop when they abseiled down the side of the Falkirk Wheel.

Between them, they’ve raised over £1,200 to help accountancy students from low-income backgrounds thrive in the profession. Because everyone deserves a chance to succeed ❤️