Accountants vs Vikings!

Accountants vs Vikings!

It was a night to remember when a group of young accountants got together for fun, frolics – and a game of beer pong! Krita Shah was there…

Picture this: it’s a Friday evening in July, and you’re in a London bar surrounded by young professionals from all industries across London, a drinks ‘Stock Exchange’ and enough food to fulfil your Norse God fantasies.

You’re buzzing from having just finished your Advanced Level exams, or buzzing from receiving Professional Level exam results the week prior (whether good or bad!), or just buzzing to be there with your mates! You have in your hand a CASSL golden ticket (because you were speedy enough to buy one), with access to free food and two free drinks.

This was the environment on a Friday in late July, when CASSL hosted their latest edition of the Summer Networking Series, a collection of events ongoing for the past three years that provide young professionals the opportunity to network, meet like-minded people and overall feel a sense of belonging and community.

The Nordic Bar in Tottenham Court Road hosted this latest jaunt and in true finance fashion even had a stock trading market for drinks. The motive was clear and simple: the more popular a drink becomes, the more expensive it becomes –just like shares. This is how some of us secured a glass of Prosecco at just a fiver, and others spent a ludicrous tenner on a pint. Just the way the market works!

The atmosphere was brimming with excitement as young professionals discovered more about different industries they could pursue; with inspiration, as CASSL committee members explained their roles at prestigious firms; and with apprehension for what the event would hold.

The night soon transitioned into what will go down in CASSL history as one of the most competitive games of beer pong, eventually won by the team clearly embodying the power of the Vikings in the bar. Who knew accountants had such good throwing skills – it must be all those Excel shortcuts!

One victory and one well-placed happy birthday song later (yes, someone spent their birthday with us), it was soon time to wave goodbye and/ or drag your friends to Soho. Proclaims of ‘This was a great night!’, ‘Add me on LinkedIn!’ and ‘When’s the next event!’ were heard as our young professionals were swallowed into the throngs of London, happy and satisfied.

To all those wondering, future CASSL events have been outlined below – grab a ticket while you can, come along, bring a friend and join the young professionals committee in London:

• Let’s Cycle – CASSL Cycling & Networking Event – Saturday 10th August 2024

• Collaboration with London Business School –September 2024

• Introduction to the CFA – September 2024

For more details, keep up-to-date with the CASSL socials: @cassl_icaew (Instagram) and CASSL (Linkedin)

• Krita Shah is CASSL’s development and diversity director