The Ulster Society has announced a new sponsorship partnership with Hunter Savage, as part of the firm’s commitment to the Accountancy sector in Northern Ireland. The partnership will create and deliver two new events to complement the annual calendar schedule for Members. On Thursday 18 October we will be hosting our inaugural Young Professionals Belfast Food & Drink Tour with Caroline Wilson from Taste & Tour. This will be a great opportunity to enjoy some of Belfast's hidden gems and sample award winning food along the way. Another much anticipated event on Wednesday 14 November will be our Sparkling Seasonal Supper with local celebrity chef Paula McIntyre creating a tasting theatre in the Titanic Hotel Belfast.  This will be an amazing opportunity for the Ulster Society Ladies Networking group to enjoy a relaxed evening with Paula preparing, cooking and serving a selection of locally sourced produce along with hints and tips on how to create these in your own kitchen! Ronan Savage, Recruitment Director commented that he was delighted to have secured a three year partnership with Chartered Accountants Ulster Society by creating these new events we hope to provide further opportunity for members to network and enjoy a great social events alongside the best of Northern Ireland produce! Ulster Society Chairman Niall Harkin said "We’re very pleased to announce this new three-year partnership with Hunter Savage and to bring some exciting new events to our membership, in particular our Young Professionals Group and to our Ladies Networking Group. We look forward to working with our new partner to create some enjoyable events and great networking opportunities for our membership." Hunter Savage is a leading niche recruitment consultancy, specialising in Accountancy & Finance, Law, HR and Financial Services. The firm believes in adopting a personal, consultative approach to recruitment, tailored to the candidates and employers they work with. They work with ambitious individuals and employers, getting to know them in detail and helping to put together perfect partnerships.  Hunter Savage can be contacted on 028 9008 0031, or you can follow them on social media platforms to keep updated on jobs, news and events.

Zara Duffy, Head of Chartered Accountants Northern Ireland, welcomed the Secretary of State’s announcement that she will bring forward legislation to allow NI government departments to make decisions while the NI Executive is suspended. She said: “We welcome the decision to allow civil servants to make decisions in the public interest  during this extended period of political uncertainty. We hope that this will lead to key projects being fulfilled and have a positive effect on the economy, jobs and infrastructure in Northern Ireland. “This new arrangement is a modest substitute for the return of elected representatives at Stormont, particularly considering the need for a local voice in Brexit preparations, but we hope the Secretary of State’s schedule of meetings with the local parties will lead to a restoration of the Executive sooner rather than later. The democratic deficit at Stormont has gone on too long.”

A high demand for Chartered Accountants is providing Northern Ireland’s school leavers with superb opportunities to enter employment whilst studying for their accountancy exams part-time according to the largest professional body of accountants in Northern Ireland.   The Higher-Level Apprenticeship Programme, available at 6 further education colleges across Northern Ireland, is a work-based programme which enables students to earn while they learn as an employee with a local accountancy practice.   Hundreds of young accounting apprentices are currently studying on the school-leaver programme in Northern Ireland, having taken the alternative entrance route to a career in accountancy and finance.   Zara Duffy, Head of Chartered Accountants Northern Ireland, representing over 4,500 Chartered Accountants in Northern Ireland said: “There is currently a high demand for Chartered Accountants across all sectors, which presents some fantastic opportunities for young people who want to go straight into employment with a local firm. Our school leaver route allows students to embark on the Chartered Accountancy qualification straight from school.   “It’s a cost effective way to complete a qualification with multiple locations and a variety of distance learning options as well as the ability to earn while you learn with a reputable local accountancy firm. The school leaver route offers an alternative, part-time alternative to university for students who are ready for the world of work.   “Our member firms are registered training organisations and are well placed to provide a collaborative and supportive learning environment. They provide excellent career development opportunities and through Chartered Accountants Ireland, students will have the opportunity to attain an internationally recognised qualification which offers the ability to work all over the world including destinations such as Australia, USA, Canada and the Caribbean.   “Chartered Accountants Ireland also offers the opportunity for anyone to study to become a Chartered Accountant outside of the apprenticeship programme. Students of any age who have completed A-Levels or the Leaving Certificate can study with our sister body, Accounting Technicians Ireland and then progress to study Chartered Accountancy after two years, or after their first year with a merit pass. Studying to become a Chartered Accountant is very flexible with part-time courses, distance offerings and competitive fees.”   Apprentices will typically be recent school leavers who have undertaken A-levels or other suitable Level 3 qualifications. Applicants must be at least 18 years old on or before 1st July in the year of entry to the apprenticeship.   Applicants should have a minimum GCSE ‘B’ grade in English language and Mathematics and must have three A Level subjects at a grade ‘C’ or better.   The Higher Level Apprenticeship in Accounting is currently available at Southern Regional College; Belfast Metropolitan College; Northern Regional College; North West Regional College; South Eastern Regional College; and South West College.   Further information is available at www.charteredaccountants.ie/study