BA (Honours) Business Accounting and Finance: Student Profile
Fiona Donaldson
Stage 3
Home City: Crieff, Scotland
Placement Location: Glasgow
Why you chose Newcastle?
I believe that Newcastle University’s BA (Honours) Business Accounting and Finance degree is a unique, accelerated programme which opens many opportunities whilst at university and beyond. The concept of integrating university study with the practical, paid work placements really appealed to me, as well as the opportunity to complete many ICAEW exams prior to graduating. With the ability to gain employment at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) and become a chartered accountant in just over a year after graduation the degree ticked all the boxes for me.
Newcastle itself has lived up to its reputation for being a fun filled and welcoming city. The city is compact with everything you need in walking distance however the Metro comes in useful for those lazy days! There are numerous social events for the whole course such as an annual ball, arranged social nights out and also there are opportunities to attend events hosted by the Northern Chartered Accountant Student Society (NCASS).
How you have found the course so far?
So far the course has been interesting, challenging and has definitely lived up to my high expectations. The first year provides foundation knowledge in subject areas such as accounting, business, economics, and law. Progressing to the second stage allows focus on financial and management accounting, taxation, finance and business strategy. The classroom style teaching allows a full understanding of material and lecturers are more than happy to be available for additional questions and help outside of class.
The placements allow you the opportunity to use the theory learnt at university and relate it to the practical work situations. I really enjoyed my first placement; the staff in the Glasgow office are extremely friendly and helpful, and I also enjoyed the variety of audit work on offer. Obviously the first few days were a bit daunting but it was easier than anticipated to fit in to the work environment and accept the practical challenges which arose. I look forward to returning in January to work with new and existing clients on my second placement.
What are your future career plans?
I can see myself working within PwC until I become a fully qualified chartered accountant and then see what opportunities are available at that stage. I came to university straight from school so I would also be quite interested in travelling, possibly even to work in an overseas PwC office.
