Final-year students clamour to join profession
Applications for graduate jobs in accountancy have soared, with more than one in 10 final-year students now attempting to enter the profession, according to research.
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A survey of 16,000 members of the ‘class of 2004’ by High Fliers Research revealed 11% more had applied for a job in the profession this year than last.
KPMG said 2004 could be a new high-water mark. Ruth Stokes, head of graduate recruitment with the Big Four firm, said: ‘We have had over 8,000 applications so far, which is a record. A lot has been done over the last two years to shed the illusion – the traditional view of accountancy – as boring and dull. The calibre of applicant has increased too.’
The UK graduate careers survey found that the proportion of graduates applying for jobs in accountancy also rose, up a percentage point in the last year to 10.1%, making it the sixth most popular sector. Media, the favourite, got 11.8% of applications. The upsurge in aspiring accountants has happily coincided with an increase in openings.
Sarah Shillingford, partner in charge of graduate recruitment at Deloitte, said: ‘Because of the growth and the prospects of the firm we are offering 30% more graduate roles this year.’ Applications are expected to top last year?s figure of over 10,000, she added.