The number of professional body accreditations and exemptions on offer at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) is enabling students to gain professional qualifications at an accelerated pace.
The Department of Accounting and Finance has just received re-accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) - the world's largest management accounting body - giving graduates exemptions for up to eight exam papers.
Another recent re-accreditation by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the global body for professional accountants, comes with exemptions for up to nine papers - the maximum available for any undergraduate degree.
This enables students to qualify more quickly than some of their counterparts, giving them a head start in the jobs market.
Yasmin Wilson, a second-year Accounting and Finance student, said: "Having professional qualifications opens up doors. Not many universities have so many exemptions - I chose the best!
"DMU is a Gold Status ACCA Learning Partner and CIMA-accredited. To me as a student, that holds much weight in the fact my degree is relevant and competitive.
"The exemptions prepare you for the professional exams once you are in a full-time job and this puts DMU students on the map."
Recent graduates are reaping the rewards of DMU's links with internationally-recognised bodies.
Preeya Parmar, who secured a role as a Management Accounts Assistant with the NHS before graduating with a First in Accounting and Finance, said: "The fact that my course was accredited by ACCA and offered me more exemptions allowed me to have enhanced academic knowledge that I can apply to various challenging situations."
RELATED NEWS
Find out more about Accounting and Finance courses at the next DMU Open Day
Satisfied students give thumbs up to DMU business courses
NHS placement equals job success for DMU accounting graduate
ACCA and CIMA are just two of the professional bodies to offer exemptions to students in the Accounting and Finance department. Others include:
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales - 5 exemptions
- Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy - 5 exemptions
- Association of International Accountants - 12 exemptions
- Certified Practising Accountants (Australia) - 12 exemptions
- Certified Management Accountants (Australia) - 16 exemptions
- Association of Corporate Treasurers - CertFin
- Chartered Institute of Insurers - credits
Undergraduate students at Leicester Castle Business School (LCBS) - created by DMU to provide the skills demanded by global, contemporary business - also benefit from industry affiliations.
In addition to ACCA and CIMA exemptions, LCBS's Global Finance course is accredited by the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of the UK and provides the knowledge needed for the Investment Management Certificate - considered the profession's benchmark entry-level qualification. Global Leadership and Management offers dual accreditation by the Chartered Management Institute.
Beverly Vickerstaff, associate head of the Department of Accounting and Finance, said: "The number of exemptions and accreditations shows the high esteem with which the professional bodies regard a degree from DMU.
"Our students benefit from having fewer examinations to complete to gain a professional qualification, ensuring they are a strong choice for employers."
Posted on Friday 3 March 2017