ICAS hosts ‘UK first’ student induction day for accountants   

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) has hosted its inaugural national induction day for over 400 students from throughout the UK.The event took place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.  

The institute said its new approach is part of a “bold evolution of how it trains business leaders of the future”.

Gail Boag, executive director of Learning at ICAS, said: “Today marks a UK first and provides a significant step forward in how we train our accountants of the future. With its focus on ethics, technology and sustainability, the new ICAS syllabus is ensuring that our young business leaders are equipped to grasp the biggest opportunities and overcome challenges in a rapidly changing world. 

“We also understand that leadership success relies on more than advanced technical skills in finance. That’s why our new approach to empowering future leaders incorporates key skills such as communication, networking and problem solving – many of which were introduced today and which our students will encounter throughout their ICAS training.” 

She added: “A major focus of today has of course been on the human aspect. While many elements of the world of education have moved online, at ICAS we understand the value of student-to-student and student-to-tutor interactions. This induction is just one of many such touchpoints that we’ve embedded throughout our new student experience to provide vital connection and support.” 

Keynote speaker David Nussbaum CA, current CEO of three international NGOs and former CEO of The Elders, the NGO founded by Nelson Mandela, said: “The new ICAS syllabus has been designed so that it will support the kind of work that ICAS students will have to undertake and will underpin the value they bring to their employers, whether in practice, or in industry or elsewhere. And the interplay between the formal syllabus and the relevant practical experience they’re getting is fundamental to the CA qualification.”