BUSINESS WITH CONFIDENCE icaew.com/careers Friday 5 October 2012 YOUR GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL UCAS FORMS, CVs AND INTERVIEWS

BUSINESS WITH CONFIDENCE icaew.com/careers ICAEW A world leader of the accountancy and finance profession, with more than 138,000 members in over 160 countries. Our members work at the highest levels of business, across all industry sectors around the world.

BUSINESS WITH CONFIDENCE icaew.com/careers Agenda Routes into chartered accountancy Guide to successfully completing UCAS application forms What employers look for in a CV Qualities which make for successful interview candidates Live Q&A session Close

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BUSINESS WITH CONFIDENCE icaew.com/careers Not working for an ICAEW authorised training employer during the AAT Technician stage AAT Diploma Level 3 Work experience year one How does the AAT-ACA Fast Track work? Working for an ICAEW authorised training employer during the AAT Technician stage AAT- ACA Fast Track AAT Diploma Level 4 ACA Professional Stage ACA Advanced Stage Work experience year two Final year of training contract Work experience year three

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BUSINESS WITH CONFIDENCE icaew.com/careers Certificate in Finance Accounting and Business (CFAB) modules Principles of Taxation Law Business and Finance Management Information Accounting Assurance ETHICS Knowledge modules Case Study Business changeBusiness reporting ETHICS ADVANCED STAGE PROFESSIONAL STAGE Taxation Financial Reporting Business Strategy Financial Management Financial Accounting Audit and Assurance ETHICS Application modules EXPERIENCE - ETHICS – DEVELOPMENT

BUSINESS WITH CONFIDENCE icaew.com/careers GCSEs 3 GCSEs in any subject – grade A*-C Including Maths and English A-levels 3 A-levels in any subjects ( UCAS points) ACAdemic requirements

Guide to successfully completing your UCAS application Alan Jones, Professional Development Executive Customer Strategy, UCAS

Factors for a successful UCAS application  Central organisation through which applications are processed for entry to full-time higher education (HE) courses in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland  Not a government body – a registered charity  Operates on behalf of all full-time higher education courses at member institutions  Operate CUKAS, GTTR and UKPASS systems

Key facts about the system  Number of choices 5 with some restrictions:  Med/Dent/Vet 4 (+1)  Oxford OR Cambridge  Cost £23 / £12 single choice  Simultaneous consideration  ‘Invisible’ process  Schools/colleges likely to set earlier deadlines  1 application per cycle  Deadlines:  15 October  15 January  24 March applications considered late if submitted after deadline  Applications processed for Clearing only (no choices) if submitted between  1 July  20 September

The 6 Step Applicant Journey  Details can be found in the student area of the UCAS website Familiarise yourself with the website. Read the information and FAQs. UCAS has an award winning call centre and social media team, but around 80% of calls are judged not to be value added because the information sought is available via other means.

The main “action” buttons Research Make application Manage application

Research  Range of resources:  Paper (prospectuses, books etc)  Experiential (work, HE fairs, Open Days etc)  ONLINE (UCAS Entry Profiles, HEI website etc)  Important because:  Applying for HE is competitive (around 70% placed)  You need to understand which course and provider will best suit what you require or want  Providers are keen to understand that you have done your research well, made wise choices and are likely to see the course through to completion  UCAS has least contact with you before application to see a selection of videos

What is the UCAS Tariff?  Points based comparison tool  Grades are worth UCAS Tariff points: e.g. A levels  Grade A* = 140  Grade A = 120  Grade B = 100  Grade C = 80  Grade D = 60  Grade E = 40 Course entry requirements show the MINIMUM grades or Tariff points an HEI would expect an applicant to have to even be considered for an offer. IF an offer is made, they could ask for higher grades or points Course providers decide who to interview (where appropriate) and who to make offers to – UCAS is not involved in decision making, but records official decisions and applicant replies.  Not all providers use the UCAS Tariff  If any doubt, contact the provider to discuss

Open or Closed Deadline date Entry Profile Link to Unistats Bursary comparison Unistats website hosts new KIS

Applying: what info does UCAS require? Students are asked to complete the following sections: Personal Details Student Finance Additional information (UK only) Choices Education Employment Personal Statement: Having checked the above, school / college will add: A reference and send to UCAS  Read the information  Use your school or college “Buzzword”  Help text is available for every field  Enter ALL certificated level 2 & 3 quals  Declare disabilities and special needs Create a password you will remember Use a sensible address & security answers

Writing a UCAS personal statement  The section that most applicants find most daunting  Same for everyone (47 lines, 4000 characters)  Don’t try to subvert parameters (e.g. refer to a website, use text language)  Your chance to differentiate yourself from other applicants with similar profiles and predicted grades and convince admissions staff to interview you or make you an offer  You need to ensure your application stands out for the right reasons  PS is one of the major tools of differentiation

The key to writing a strong statement (1)  It is a process – a journey (of self-discovery & self-expression)...and can be rewarding!  It won’t be perfect on the first attempt (it will need several re-writes, so be prepared and leave enough time!)  No room for errors (in spelling, grammar, punctuation) Style: providers are looking for a clear, concise, precise prose document written in plain English. It should have a strong opening that will make the reader want to read on. It should be well constructed, written in paragraphs that flow and the vocabulary should not be repetitive. Don’t start every sentence with “I...”; be positive and confident (but not cocky) and have a strong ending UCAS uses similarity detection software

The key to writing a strong statement (2)  Non-vocational courses 2/3 – 3/4 subject related (for vocational courses you need to spend more space relating how you know the subject/profession is right for you and what qualities/attributes you have funded so far that will make you a good professional)  Show rather than tell – use concrete examples Content: providers want to understand your subject enthusiasm and critical engagement. They want to see that you have done your research and made wise choices, and that you are a reflective thinker who is able to work out what is most important and adds most value to your application...and perhaps your future hopes. UCAS uses similarity detection software

What happens when the application is submitted?  UCAS processes (usually within 48 hours) and posts the applicant a Welcome letter, which provides the applicant with access to TRACK (the application management tool)  HEI(s) begin consideration (each independently)  HEI official decision is recorded through UCAS  UCAS s the applicant each time an update is received  UCAS sets reply date when all decisions have been received

Managing your application effectively  TRACK enables you to:  View your application and status  Update personal details (e.g address. tel no, mobile, nominated access etc)  Add choices (when appropriate)  Reply to offers (when appropriate)  Use Extra and Clearing Keep a copy of your application. If you are interviewed, it is wise to re-read it - especially the personal statement – as questions may be based on what you have written (but your interview may be several months after you submit your application)

Course provider decisions  Admissions staff can offer interviews and make 1 of 3 decisions:  Unsuccessful The HEI cannot offer you a place  Unconditional Offer If you already have all required grades  Conditional Offer Offer of a place is dependent upon you successfully meeting academic conditions These could be expressed in terms of: UCAS Tariff points Qualification grades or results A mixture of the above Could include additional requirements

ICAEW webinar - What employers look for in potential recruits Katherine Crisp Friday 5 th October

34 © 2012, KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (‘KPMG International’), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. What should go into a CV? Contact details Personal profile Qualifications Work experience Voluntary work Key achievements Key skills Leisure interests Referees

35 © 2012, KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (‘KPMG International’), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. CV and application top tips Use good quality, white A4 paper Don’t overdo the typefaces and design Check your spelling and grammar Make sure your sentences are clear Use bullet points to list what you have done Leave plenty of white space Use clear headings Make the font size no smaller than 10 points

36 © 2012, KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (‘KPMG International’), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. What are we looking for? Awareness of Business Opportunities Drives Collaboration and Inclusion Strives for Continual Improvement Demonstrates Innovation and Curiosity Delivers Quality Career Motivation Makes an impact Resilience Exercises Professional Judgement

37 © 2012, KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (‘KPMG International’), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. The Audit programme Get a job, a degree and a professional qualification Earn a salary of up to £20k No tuition fees Start a career in accountancy without any student debt 6 year programme Achieve a BSc in Accountancy in 4 years at either Birmingham, Durham or Exeter University. Become a fully qualified chartered accountant in 6 years with either ICAS or ICAEW You will need ABB at A-level, and a minimum of a B at GCSE English Language and Maths

38 © 2012, KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (‘KPMG International’), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. Risk Consulting programme - to give you a flavour of the work within Risk Consulting 3 year programme There are 2 routes: Accounting and Technology You can rotate around the Risk department Achieve a AAT qualification if you join the Accounting route Achieve a Level 4 IT apprenticeship qualification if you join the Technology route Earn a salary of up to £19k You will need BCC at A-level, plus 5 GCSE’s A-C and a minimum of a B at GCSE English Language and Maths

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