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BDO wants 130 apprentices
Creating critical thinkers Accounting academia has not had the impact on the real world that it should have done, says Professor Richard Murphy (pictured). Too many courses, he ventures, take for granted the existing structures without critically reflecting on their origins and alternative approaches. The focus is also, far too often, on large quoted companies. Murphy fears that this might be because too much of the content of undergraduate accounting teaching has been dictated in
countries like the UK by the curriculum laid down by the accounting institutes. This means the emphasis on these courses has been deeply technical. Murphy says: “When it comes to tax, knowing how the benefit-in-kind on the use of a company car is calculated seems to be essential.” He revealed that a team of academics led by Professor Susan Smith at University College London are asking whether it is time to rewrite the accounting curriculum
We need your nominations
The deadline for nominations for the PQ magazine awards is almost here. You have until Friday 8 March to get your entry into us – so come on get nominating! For our 21st awards night we are going to Lio London on Leicester Square, and the date has been set for Monday
22 April. If you want to join the party you really do need to get nominating. There are 21 ‘PQs’ up for grabs, so lots of chances to win one of our coveted trophies. You can nominate an individual or even a whole team – we have trophies for PQ of the
used in UK Universities. What they seem to want to create is accountants who are capable of critical thinking. It is also something the professional bodies say they want, too. Read more about the work of this group on page 27. Year and Accountancy Team of the Year. Perhaps there is someone who has made a real difference to your accountancy journey and you want to acknowledge their help and guidance – well, we have a trophy for that, too! Check out all the details on page 16 of this issue, or download the nomination form at http://tinyurl. com/5e7z488j. Remember the deadline for entries is Friday 8 March, so it’s time to get moving.
BDO has opened applications for more than 130 apprentices across its UK offices. Applications for the apprenticeship programme, which is designed for students who have completed their A-level studies (or equivalent), are open until 24 March 2024. Successful candidates will start at BDO in September 2024. September will also see the firm welcome more than 650 people to its graduate trainee programme and more than 112 industrial placement students, who spend a year working at BDO in between their second and third year of university. As part of its commitment to increasing access to accountancy, BDO is also hiring for its summer work experience and insight programmes. Paul Eagland, Managing Partner at BDO said: “Having chosen not to go to university myself, I know firsthand the benefits an apprenticeship can bring and the lifelong skills you learn along the way.” See https://careers.bdo.co.uk/
Online education programme Offer a range of accountancy-led services to the general public in the UK when you gain an IFA practising certificate through IFA Direct. The flexible, relevant and accessible study units provide structured learning designed to complement busy lifestyles.
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Find out more at ifa.org.uk/ifadirect or call our Education Team now on +44 (0)20 3567 5999
PQ Magazine March 2024
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