ICAEW.com works better with JavaScript enabled.

Why volunteers are so vital: Early Careers team story

Author: ICAEW

Published: 04 Oct 2022

The Early Careers team is responsible for inspiring the next generation of chartered accountants, visiting schools and universities to talk about ICAEW and the ACA qualification. Here, they tell us what the support of volunteers means to them.

“It’s been five years since I first started visiting schools and universities to raise awareness of careers in chartered accountancy. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that having those meaningful conversations is only made possible thanks to the fantastic volunteers who join us at countless events up and down the country. Volunteers reinforce the message about the ACA qualification and share invaluable first-hand experience to help students better understand what chartered accountants actually do.”

- Akin, ICAEW Early Careers Executive

“There’s one thing I can’t do, and that is to draw upon my own personal experiences of working as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Our fantastic volunteers step in, giving invaluable insight and advice to students looking to kickstart their career, and showing them what it’s really like to work in this profession.”

- Zoe, ICAEW Senior Early Careers Executive

Hearing from a volunteer who could be you in a few years is so inspiring

“I have spoken to hundreds of students and teachers about the ACA qualification and ICAEW. I have grown to appreciate just how important our volunteers are, supporting us in our events both virtually and in person. One experience in particular stands out. A second year ACA student attend a Q&A session and gave a fantastic insight into the joining process and what to expect in the first year. They talked about the work/life balance and the support ICAEW give them in their journey.”

- Harvey, ICAEW Early Careers Executive

We’re working hard to make a career as a chartered accountant as accessible as possible to students from all backgrounds, and we need your help to achieve this.  Registering as a volunteer now and you’ll be signing up to donate one to two hours of your time to support the team.