Why widening entry to accountancy is essential for the profession

As Scottish Careers Week 2025 encourages us to "Shape the Future”, it’s worth asking: who gets to shape it? At ICAS, we believe the answer must be ‘everyone’. That’s why we’re committed to making the journey to becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA) more accessible, inclusive, and flexible than ever before.

The CA qualification has long been described as a passport to opportunity - a route to leadership in business and finance, not only in Scotland, but across the world.

Yet progress on socio-economic diversity in the profession remains slow. Recent research suggests that while progress is being made, it is uneven and often slows as careers advance. A 2024 Bridge Group study for Progress Together - a membership body focusing on socio-economic diversity in the financial services sector - found that the proportion of people from lower socio-economic backgrounds in senior UK financial services roles has risen slightly, from 26% to 28%, but representation drops sharply at the top, with nearly 60% of senior roles still held by those from higher socio-economic backgrounds.

This “class ceiling” effect doesn’t just limit individuals; it constrains innovation and productivity across the economy. According to analysis reported by The Guardian, low social mobility could be costing the UK up to £19 billion a year lost in GDP - clear evidence that improving access and progression in professions like accountancy is not only fairer, but economically essential.

The challenge, however, begins far earlier. The Financial Reporting Council’s ‘Key Facts and Trends 2025’ report shows that most new entrants still come from higher-income households and selective schools. Widening access isn’t just about supporting progression; it’s about ensuring opportunities exist from the very start. That’s why action matters now.

This year marks a major step forward. In collaboration with Robert Gordon University, we’ve expanded our Graduate Apprenticeship programme into Scotland’s Central Belt, opening new opportunities for learners to earn while they learn, and to qualify through a route that blends academic study with real-world experience.

Our revamped CA syllabus underpins these innovations. With four terms per year and multiple entry points - including school leavers, apprentices, and university graduates - it’s designed to meet learners where they are. The syllabus integrates digital tools, real-world applications, and a strong emphasis on non-technical skills like ethical leadership and communication.

Attracting a diverse pool of talent into the profession is not only the right thing to do - it's central to our Royal Charter to act in the public interest. Diversity of thinking and approach is something all businesses will benefit from, and we will play our part in widening access to the profession. Social mobility is a crucial factor in the creation of a vibrant, sustainable, and healthy economy. 

That’s where the ICAS Foundation - our social mobility charity - plays a vital role. It supports young people from low-income backgrounds to study accountancy and finance by providing financial assistance, mentoring, and career development opportunities. In 2024 alone, the Foundation welcomed 31 new students, and 86% of its graduates achieved top degrees - proof that with the right support, talent thrives.

For educators, this is a moment to rethink how we present accountancy as a career. Our research shows that while more than 80% of the public view accountants as trusted experts, around half say they don’t clearly understand what accountants actually do. This perception gap matters: making the profession more visible and relatable is part of making it more accessible.

For employers, this is a chance to tap into a broader, more diverse talent pool. For policymakers, it’s a reminder that professional pathways must evolve to meet the needs of a changing economy.

Scottish Careers Week is more than a celebration - it’s a call to action. By expanding access to accountancy, we’re not just shaping individual careers, we’re shaping the future of the profession itself.

Let’s make sure that the future is open to all.