Access Accountancy publishes the latest Bridge Group report

Access Accountancy has published its annual report by The Bridge Group which includes an analysis of 700 students who have engaged in work experience at accountancy firms (September 2020 – August 2021), the majority of whom (91%) met Access Accountancy’s eligibility criteria.

Access Accountancy’s focus is to consider the way the accountancy profession attracts a more representative and diverse workforce, including those from a lower socio-economic background, who, overwhelming evidence has found, are less likely to be hired.

This latest Bridge Group report, now in its seventh year, explores the impact of work experience and entry-level hiring on socio-economic diversity within the accountancy profession.

The report found that following work experience placements, awareness of accountancy careers more than doubled to 93 per cent at a time when most work experience placements were virtual because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also finds the percentage of black students/respondents tripled to 24 per cent.

Hazel Garvey, chair, Access Accountancy said:

“I very much welcome the news that the number of candidates who meet Access Accountability’s eligibility criteria has continued to rise since 2018, which means more students from lower socio-economic backgrounds have the chance of undertaking a work placement in the profession. This gives them an insider’s view into working in a professional accountancy environment, and to better understand the boundless career opportunities that exist both now and in the future.”