ACCOUNTANCY STUDENTS HARD WORK ADDS UP TO SPECIAL PRIZE

Accountancy student's hard work adds up to special prize

Elise Steward has been awarded a Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants prize at her graduation from Edge Hill University in recognition of being the best performing student in her cohort.

The 22-year-old BSc (Hons) Accountancy student from Walsall said it was “a lovely surprise” to be awarded the £100 prize alongside her certificate for a First Class Honours after setting herself a series of personal goals.

She has urged other students to “grasp the opportunities” Edge Hill offers “because they don’t know where they’ll take you next.”

I really can’t believe I’ve won this prize. All I did was go to the lectures and do the work so it’s quite surreal but nice to be recognised.

"I didn’t really set my sights on it as such but after I started getting quite high marks, I set myself personal goals like getting the Academic Achievement scholarship in second year. I then decided I wanted to aim for a first in every module by the end of third year. They were just goals I kept to myself to keep me motivated.”

Elise decided to pursue a career in accountancy and finance after taking part in work experience in sixth form and she felt confident the Edge Hill course was perfect for her.

Completing my degree has only made me more sure of this; the University has made sure I leave not only with a degree and the professional exemptions that I was after, but I am also now a well-rounded graduate who is prepared for a career in the industry.”

Elise is excited to be continuing her education with an MSc Finance at the University of Siena in Italy, due to start in September.

I participated in one of Edge Hill’s

Language Steps courses in Italian during second year, funded by the University’s Student Opportunity Fund which I’m incredibly grateful for, which has proven invaluable for this next step in my career.

“I’ve loved my time at Edge Hill. I’ve made friends for life and I’m graduating with a degree that I’m really proud of.

“I’d like to thank the lecturers for being so supportive, especially during this difficult last year where we’ve all had to adapt to remote learning."

Senior lecturer Graham Bloor, Elise’s personal tutor, commended her on the achievement, adding: “It’s great to have the opportunity to congratulate Elise for being the most outstanding third year accountancy student at Edge Hill University.

As well as reflecting Elise’s natural abilities and aptitudes, her achievement has also been based on hard work and a strong determination to succeed.

“Edge Hill University’s accountancy programme is closely aligned to the requirements of prestigious professional bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), and we pride ourselves on producing graduates like Elise who possess the skills and knowledge necessary to launch successful careers in the accountancy profession.

“It is particularly pleasing therefore to team up with the Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants (LSCA), the oldest society of Chartered Accountants in the country, in order to recognise Elise’s outstanding achievement."