The collaboration seeks to create a “staircase of talent”, providing financial support, mentorship, and training opportunities to young individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing accountancy studies at university and to complete their Chartered Accountancy training with Consilium.

To celebrate the formalisation of the partnership, director of the ICAS Foundation Sanjay Singh is joined by foundation-supported students and alumni who are training towards CA status or have already obtained CA status with Consilium Chartered Accountants.

Through this landmark collaboration, Consilium and the ICAS Foundation are paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive industry, where talent, rather than background, dictates success.

Marked by a £30,000 donation from Consilium, the partnership is committed to supporting young people from all backgrounds to thrive in the accountancy profession.

At the launch of the partnership, Mr Singh said: “We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Consilium.

“Their commitment to social responsibility and passion for creating opportunities for young talent aligns perfectly with our mission. Together we will be able to support young people, financially and professionally, from day 1 at university to the completion of their Chartered Accountancy exams.”

As the foundation’s largest supporter to date, Consilium will create a post-graduate pathway for students by:

• Providing paid internships – offering more paid summer internships and graduate training opportunities than ever before to individuals supported by the foundation.
• Training contracts – offering training opportunities for foundation alumni, paving the way for fulfilling careers in accountancy.
• Mentorship and support – extending ongoing support and mentorship to guide students throughout their professional qualification journey.

Elle O’Reilly, a foundation-supported student studying at Heriot-Watt University helped launch the partnership.

She said: “The foundation’s financial support allowed me to go to university and encouraged me to gain real experience through internships.

“That’s why I joined Consilium for a summer internship. The team are amazing; supporting me and answering any questions about a career as a Chartered Accountant.

“I’m thrilled to be returning as an intern this June and to secure a place as a graduate trainee after uni.”

This collaborative effort builds upon Consilium’s longstanding commitment to the foundation, dating back to the charity’s inception in 2014. Consilium is currently supporting six young people through paid internships and graduate training positions. Consilium has already supported four young people to qualify as Chartered Accountants and launch successful careers within the firm and beyond.

Foundation alumnus Connor Boyd said: “The foundation’s financial support at university allowed me to focus on my studies without the stress of worrying about money.

“Their mentoring scheme provided great insight from real accountants and led me to Consilium to begin my CA training.

“Thanks to Consilium’s backing I became a Chartered Accountant in 2022. I’m now building my career with the company and taking advantage of the opportunities CA-status offers.”

Discussing the launch of the partnership, Consilium founding partner David Holt said: “At Consilium, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background.

“This partnership is a natural extension of our values and allows us to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people who wish to pursue a career in accountancy.”

Beyond financial support, Consilium team members will actively engage in mentoring young people and participating in further fundraising activities for the Foundation.