Consilium partners with ICAS to build ‘more inclusive’ profession
Marked by a £30,000 donation from Consilium, the partnership is committed to supporting young people from all backgrounds to thrive in the accountancy profession
Consilium Chartered Accountants and the ICAS Foundation, a social mobility charity, have announced a partnership to create a “staircase of talent” focused on social mobility and inclusion.
The partnership will provide financial support, mentorship and training opportunities to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to study accountancy at university and complete their chartered accountancy training with Consilium.
Through this landmark collaboration, Consilium and the ICAS Foundation said they aim to pave the way for a more diverse and inclusive industry, where “talent, rather than background, dictates success”.
Marked by a £30,000 donation from Consilium, the partnership is committed to supporting young people from all backgrounds to thrive in the accountancy profession.
At the launch of the partnership ICAS Foundation director, Sanjay Singh, said: “We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Consilium.
“Their commitment to social responsibility and passion for creating opportunities for young talent aligns perfectly with our mission. Together we will be able to support young people, financially and professionally, from day 1 at university to the completion of their Chartered Accountancy exams.”
As the Foundation’s largest supporter to date, Consilium will create a post-graduate pathway for students by:
Providing paid internships: offering more paid summer internships and graduate training opportunities than ever before to individuals supported by the Foundation.
Training contracts: offering training opportunities for Foundation alumni, paving the way for fulfilling careers in accountancy.
Mentorship and support: extending ongoing support and mentorship to guide students throughout their professional qualification journey.
Elle O’Reilly, a Foundation-supported student studying at Heriot-Watt University helped launch the partnership. Elle 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.”
This collaborative effort builds upon Consilium’s longstanding commitment to the Foundation, dating back to the charity’s inception in 2014. Consilium is currently supporting six young people through paid internships and graduate training positions. Consilium has already supported four young people to qualify as Chartered Accountants and launch successful careers within the firm and beyond.
Discussing the launch of the partnership, Consilium founding partner David Holt said: “At Consilium, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background.”This partnership is a natural extension of our values and allows us to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people who wish to pursue a career in accountancy.”
Beyond financial support, Consilium team members will actively engage in mentoring young people and participating in further fundraising activities for the Foundation.
