James Pinkstone, from Reading has won the National prize for success in his ICAEW Advanced Stage examinations. James, who works with Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP in Guildford, was awarded joint first place and the Walton prize in the Business Change paper.
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Pictured: James Pinkstone and Caroline Watson, Exam Training Manager at Baker Tilly, Guildford |
Commenting on the results, Michael Cooper, President of the Thames Valley Society of Chartered Accountants, said: “James’ achievement is a credit to himself, his family and his colleagues at Baker Tilly. To achieve this top honour is remarkable and we wish him continued success in the future.
“The skills that James and his fellow students have acquired over their challenging and wide-ranging training period are in ever-increasing demand. The world’s economy has vital need of business leaders who can apply their knowledge and financial acumen in practical and innovative ways – and our students are taught not just how handle technicalities but how to think above and beyond the figures. I congratulate all our successful students and wish them every success in their future careers.”
James comments: “I was delighted when I found out I had won an award, although my first feeling when the results came through was one of relief.
“My greatest thanks go my family, friends and colleagues for the support they gave me and for putting up with my constant moaning about exam revision. I would also like to thank my college colleagues who have been with me all the way through my studies.
“The day the results came through was also our office Christmas party and I was already at the hotel venue, uncertain whether I really wanted to be there or not. My friends had persuaded me to come some weeks previously – as I hadn’t been sure that I wanted to go in case the exam results weren’t as I’d hoped – and receiving such good news made for a great evening.
“I studied accountancy at Exeter University, graduating with a first class honours degree. I joined Baker Tilly’s Guildford office in September 2009 which was my first experience of the professional world. Everyone has been extremely welcoming and friendly which made the transition from student to professional life easier.
“I have also had some success at the professional stage of my ACA studies with three prizes in the Thames Valley region and all first time passes.
“I am currently an audit supervisor at Baker Tilly and hope to qualify later this year after taking my case study. Once qualified, I hope to gain experience in one of the many other service lines offered by Baker Tilly including possibly an overseas secondment.”
Overall, 3,654 students undertook their Advanced Stage examinations in November 2011, sitting a total of 6,298 papers. 1,754 students completed the Advanced Stage this session and 2,508 passed all the papers they sat. The pass rates for all papers were:
- Business Reporting – 77.4%
- Business Change – 82.5%
- Case Study – 73.9%
For more information on training as an ICAEW chartered accountant, visit http://www.icaew.com/en/qualifications-and-programmes/aca
November 2011 Sitting ICAEW Examinations Orders of Merit
ADVANCED STAGE SUBJECT INTERNATIONAL ORDERS OF MERIT
Business Reporting
First Place and the Quilter prize
Thomas Makey, London (KPMG LLP)
Business Change
Joint First Place and the Walton prize
Alexander Hird, York (Garbutt & Elliott LLP)
James Pinkstone, Reading (Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP)
Case Study
First Place and the Whinney prize
Zuber Nosimohomed, Hounslow (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP)
ADVANCED STAGE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF MERIT
Joint First Place and the Peat prize
Alexander Hird, York (Garbutt & Elliott LLP)
Hannah Mole, Chelmsford (haysmacintyre)
Third Place and the Fletcher prize
Elizabeth Snape, Bolton (KPMG LLP)
Fourth Place and the Strachan prize
James Sipthorp, Moreton-in-Marsh (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP)
Fifth Place and the William G Frazer prize
Yiannis Kourris, London (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP)
Joint Sixth Place and the Tattersall-Walker prize
Natalie Chrystall, London (Deloitte LLP)
Emma Druckman, Surbiton (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP)
Julia Hague, Watford (KPMG LLP)
Joint Ninth Place
Nicola Webb, Ruthin (National Audit Office)
James Cleave, Houghton Le Spring (Clive Owen & Co LLP)
Eleventh Place
Daniel Barrett, London (Deloitte LLP)