North East Young Chartered Accountants' Group

Carlisle students through to national final of business competition 25 February 2015

Business-savvy students from Carlisle College beat off competition from six other local teams to win the Carlisle heat of ICAEW’s National Business and Accounting competition, BASE on 24 February 2015.

Carlisle College impressed the judges in the heat held at the University of Cumbria in Carlisle and will go on to represent Cumbria at the national final which takes place in Birmingham in June.  This was one of 46 heats attracting over 3,000 students in more than 500 competing teams nationwide.

BASE links schools, students and employers to develop employability skills and provide an insight into what a career in accountancy, business and finance might be like. Assuming the role of ICAEW Chartered Accountants, the students had 2 hours to analyse a business situation, before presenting their ideas to a panel of top business professionals. The students completed the competition under their own direction but each team was also supported by a member of Northern Society of Chartered Accountants who acted as their mentor.

Keith Proudfoot, ICAEW Regional Director Northern & Scotland, said: “We were really impressed with the team’s performance and shrewd thinking. These budding business advisers looked beyond the numbers, and demonstrated an excellent instinct for business and, importantly ethics, to give well-rounded advice. I suspect I’ll be seeing more of these young people in leading roles in the future.”

Head Judge Andrew Jackson, President of Northern Society of Chartered Accountants (NorSCA) said: “In the presentations we looked for the ethical and financial data to support the decisions. Carlisle College showed excellent teamwork and effective time management in working through the evidence and they delivered a very comprehensive recommendation. The team from The Nelson Tomlinson School were the runners up and all teams can be rightly proud of their achievements in dealing with a very challenging business situation.”

Head judge Andrew Jackson, President presents winning team Carlisle College with their award

The BASE competition was supported by local firms including Dodd & Co., Armstrong Watson, Saint & Co., National Audit Office, University of Cumbria and David Allen who provided professional mentors and judges.

Winning mentor Linda Collins, Armstrong Watson said, “The team was very enthusiastic from the start. They worked well together as a team and listened and responsed well to each of their ideas.”

For further information about BASE and how to participate please visit icaew.com/base.

The Northern Society of Chartered Accountants (NorSCA) represents ICAEW members working in business and the finance profession across the North East of England, Teesside, Northern Yorkshire and Cumbria. We have been assisting businesses in the north of England and producing chartered accountants for over 130 years.