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ICAEW BASE 2016 – Cumbria heat

BASE is ICAEW’s National Business and Accounting competition for students in school or college aged 16-19.

About BASE

A unique and exciting experience, students are able to engage in a business challenge that enables them to develop key employability skills and understand what it’s like to be an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

BASE heats around the country

Consisting of 49 UK heats and one National Final, BASE allows students of all abilities to; find out more about careers in accountancy, finance and business, compete in an exciting business challenge and network with professionals at a dedicated employer exhibition.

BASE offers an excellent opportunity for both students and professionals to take part in a whole day activity, to inspire the future generation of business leaders. With great prizes and an invaluable experience on offer, make sure that your local school or college gets involved in this fantastic competition!

Across Northern England

BASE heats will take place across the North East and Cumbria in early 2016:

• Cumbria – 24 Feb 2016 – at Carlisle College

• Newcastle – 9 Mar 2016 – at Northumbria University

• Teesside – 15 Mar 2016 – at Thistle Hotel, Middlesbrough

Details of the other heats of ICAEW BASE across the country can be found at icaew.com/base

Find out more

Find out more about ICAEW BASE, including details about how to enter a school or college team at icaew.com/base

ICAEW member? Why not volunteer to be a judge or a mentor

As experts in the accountancy, finance and business profession, we are looking for ICAEW members support at our BASE heats and National Final. There are various volunteering roles available, including; becoming a team mentor, judge or exhibitor.

What is the role of a Mentor?

As a mentor, you’ll use your knowledge, skills and experience to guide your team through the business case, helping them to achieve their goal of winning the heat and securing a place at the National Final! There may be concepts that students come across that they haven’t experienced before, especially where financial information is concerned. You won’t be expected to teach students or have a significant input into their decision making, but you’ll be there to encourage them to stay on task and understand the concepts presented to them.

What is the role of a Judge?

As a judge you have two main responsibilities. Firstly, you will observe the students as they work through the business challenge, scoring them on their performance as a team and how they have demonstrated key employability skills. Secondly, you will take on the role as a business client (joining your fellow judging panel), listening to and assessing students’ business recommendations and advice. You will need to ask relevant questions to all teams and as a collaborative judging panel, decide on the overall regional winning and runner-up teams.

What is the role of an Exhibitor?

Your role is to represent your organisation at our dedicated employer exhibition. Manning your careers stand, you will talk to students about the profession and what it is like to be an ICAEW member. With the use of promotional marketing materials, you can give students further information to take away with them and find out more about what opportunities are currently available. If your organisation recruits school leavers, why not combine the exhibitor and mentor roles and use the opportunity to ‘talent spot’ your next apprentice?

What are the benefits of supporting?

Giving just one day of your time to support enthusiastic students at BASE proves to be an extremely rewarding and worthwhile opportunity. As well as the personal satisfaction of sharing your skills and experience with bright learners, being involved in BASE can also provide you with some tangible benefits, including:

• representing and raising awareness of your organisation and your school leaver/graduate schemes;
• raising awareness with and inspiring the next generation of ICAEW Chartered Accountants;
• contributing towards your ACA professional development, by demonstrating key skills;
• helping students to develop business and employability skills that are vital for the workplace;
• having fun! Through participating in an event that supports student’s future ambitions; and
• networking opportunities to talk with likeminded ICAEW members.

For more information, including how to volunteer as a mentor or judge, please see icaew.com/base