Students become apprentice accountants for the day

A group of secondary school students swapped the classroom for the boardroom as they became apprentice accountants for the day.

Year 11 Business Studies pupils from Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School in Oswaldtwistle made a ‘behind the scenes’ visit to Cassons in Haslingden.

The students were set various accounting challenges, including calculating the mocked up profits from a Courteeners concert and working out the tax on a payslip.

They also learnt about the importance of marketing a business and utilising the power of video and social media channels.

The employability-themed workshop was part of a programme called Business Class, which aims to develop partnerships between schools and businesses.

Carmel Cunliffe, business manager at Rhyddings, said: “The whole purpose of the session was to give our students an opportunity to visit a workplace, which will enhance their knowledge and ability when applying for work in the future.

“It will help to break down perceptions, and inspire them towards potential future careers.

“Some students might not have previously considered a career as an accountant. However, after going behind the scenes at Cassons and getting a better understanding of the different things they do for their clients, I think it changed the students’ perceptions.

“Working out the profits for a mock Courteeners concert, for instance, was a great way of bringing the subject to life and our students began to realise that being an accountant is far more interesting than they had previously imagined.”

Watch the video of the students visit to Cassons here. Peter Johnson, partner at Cassons, said: “The Business Class programme is a great initiative and we are proud to be one of the businesses involved.