Key employability skills were honed among the eager Accountancy students who took part in Forth Valley College’s first ever Business Accountancy Challenge event.
More than 50 students – covering NC to HND level from both the Alloa and Falkirk Campuses – gathered in the Falkirk Campus Main Hall on Monday 4 December, for the innovative event which was facilitated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
Ross Martin, the newly appointed Chair of Forth Valley College’s Board of Management, was the keynote speaker and students were invited to work in teams and tackle a competitive business challenge on the day - analysing data in the business context in order to work through problems and issues, rather than the stereotypical image of endless calculations or number crunching which is often associated with accountants.
A ‘Dragons’ Den’ style judging panel decided the winners, and the panel included local businessman Barrie Henderson of Xtreme Karting who generously donated a track race event to the winning team, giving an ‘Apprentice’ style reward for their efforts!
Additionally, the event provided students with a fantastic opportunity to network with professional accountancy bodies, local accountancy firms, universities, mentors, former students and with each other.
The eleven teams on the day were competing for the quirky Business Accounting Challenge trophy – which was designed and created recently by FVC’s Department of Applied Science, Maths and Mechanical Engineering, using recycled wood, metal and nuts and bolts.
Business Department Curriculum Manager Jennifer Hogarth, said: “The event was all about the students, and it brought to life the subjects they are studying in college and helped them see how they could use these skills in the future, whether they decide to progress to university, go straight into employment or secure sponsorship to undertake their professional qualifications.
“The purpose of the day was to have fun and to help give them a real insight into the world of accountancy and the exciting opportunities that await them in the future. Based on the way students engaged with the challenge and the levels of enthusiasm we saw in the room, we definitely managed to do this. The students were fabulous, they all presented themselves very well and as a department and a college we are extremely proud of each and every one of them.”
