Today the University of New England unveiled a major new program to provide undergraduate accounting students with access to continuing scholarships and work placements throughout their accounting degrees.

Under the agreement, students who are accepted into the scholarship program will receive $2,000 per annum, have access to paid summer vacation placements and also be guaranteed a graduate position with Boyce Chartered Accountants once they complete their degrees.

The mutually beneficial program enables students to experience the every-day work and life of a regionally based accountant, helping to address the growing needs for skilled graduates in regional Australia.

Head of UNE Business School Professor Alison Sheridan said the program will assist in alleviating the substantial difficulties regional accounting firms are currently experiencing in attracting high quality graduates to regional NSW.

“UNE Business School is excited about this opportunity to partner with Boyce Chartered Accountants, as the program gives students unparalleled access to the support and employment opportunities of the largest independent regional service firm in NSW,” Prof Sheridan said.

“This program, along with other award-winning initiatives in our accounting degree discipline, will differentiate UNE from its competitors as the focus is on preparing students to be leaders in their chosen fields.”

The program allows UNE students to put theory into practice from the first trimester of study and is in line with government’s push for more workplace integrated learning experiences as well as promoting regional investment.

“The program is of high strategic importance to the UNE Business School and its Accounting discipline as it provides students access to scholarships and work experience at a previously unavailable level,” Prof Sheridan said.

Both partners will jointly market the new program as well as UNE’s existing accounting degree offerings to ensure that UNE remains a highly attractive destination for students.

Boyce Chartered Accountants is an industry leading professional services firm and has consistently ranked in the top 40 accounting firms in Australia with offices in all the major New South Wales regional centres.