Students and schools around the country were recently awarded their prizes for participating in the Institute's "Be the Boss" challenge, which forms part of the Boot Camp programme.
The challenge is a business simulation exercise, and it is the culmination of the Boot Camp programme, an online accounting programme for senior cycle students. Entrants take on the role of CEO of their own fictitious company: “Wild Ride”, a leading adventure sports company facing a major strategic challenge. They are tasked with applying problem solving and critical thinking skills to develop a solution to overcome the challenge.
There are almost 4,500 students enrolled in Boot Camp from over 50 schools across the country. Through the programme, students get an introduction to the world of business and financial decision-making processes. They cover strategy, risk, critical thinking, decision-making and hear real life insights from senior business leaders, accountants and finance professionals through podcast interviews.
Boot Camp can be taken as an introduction to accounting in Transition Year or as revision in 5th and 6th year.
Overall winner
Alex Harbison, a solo student of St Mary's Secondary School, Edenderry, Co. Offaly
Shortlisted entrants
- Orin O’Conghaile and Rémy Léger, a team entry from Luttrellstown Community College and its Irish language partner school, Coláiste na Tulchann, Clonsilla, Dublin
- Aoife Higginston and Ronan O’Keeffe, a team entry from St Aidan's Community College, Cork
- Niamh McBride, Laura McMahon and Salomeja Skalisiute, a team entry from Our Lady's Secondary School, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
This year saw a record number of entries from solo students, class groups and students participating in work experience with firms. Accounting is growing in popularity as a Leaving Certificate subject choice, with nearly one in seven students opting for accounting in Senior Cycle. The Boot Camp programme is designed to show students the scope of possibilities of the accounting profession.
At the Institute’s recent AGM, newly elected President of Chartered Accountants Ireland, Pat O’Neill spoke of the need to secure a strong flow of accountants into the profession to meet ongoing and projected demand, and the importance of encouraging second level students to choose accounting as a subject in senior cycle to ensure this flow.
Commenting Pat O’Neill, President of Chartered Accountants Ireland said
“I was delighted to see the interest this year in the “Be the Boss” challenge as part of Boot Camp. It is an innovative way to introduce young people to the breadth of the modern accountant’s role and what a career in accountancy looks like. A strong flow of accounting students from second level into the qualification is so important for ensuring that the profession continues to play a crucial role in supporting economic growth. I would like to congratulate all the entrants, shortlisted candidates and overall winner on their submissions.”
The prizes were announced at an online ceremony attended by all four shortlisted finalists and their schools. The prize winners were announced by Fiona Smiddy, a Chartered Accountant and green entrepreneur who leads Green Outlook, a company that promotes sustainable living and products. Fiona is herself an award winner, having been named the 2022 Chartered Star who will represent the profession at the One Young World summit in Manchester in September.
Boot Camp is currently open for enrolment. To find out more visit: https://chartered-bootcamp.teachable.com/