RBCA launches 10th year of Accountancy Apprenticeship, offering school leavers an alternative to Uni

L-R Ross Boyd, Jane Gill, Reece Gilmore and Brian Stewart

As rising numbers of young people in Northern Ireland find themselves outside of education, employment, or training, Belfast-based accountancy firm RBCA is marking the tenth year of its Accountancy Apprenticeship Programme—offering school leavers a full-time, paid alternative to university.

The programme arrives at a critical time. From July to September 2024, an estimated 16,000 young people aged 16 to 24 in Northern Ireland were classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), representing 8.3% of the age group.

RBCA’s initiative seeks to address this gap directly by providing a professional route into the accountancy sector, with no student debt and clear progression toward chartered status.

Successful applicants join RBCA as full-time paid employees while studying two evenings a week online. Over two years, apprentices work toward a Level 5 QCF Diploma for Accounting Technicians, undertaking modules such as Financial Accounting, Taxation, Business Law, and Business Management.

All tuition costs are fully covered.

“Having only left school a year ago, this opportunity has already been invaluable,” said current apprentice Reece Gilmore. “There’s been a strong focus on developing both technical skills and practical knowledge. At times it can be a lot of pressure to balance work deadlines whilst also keeping up with the individual learning, but the team at RBCA mentor and guide every step of the way.

“I’ve been applying what I’ve learned during my online lessons to real-world scenarios which has helped my understanding of accounting processes. I’m really starting to develop a passion for accounting and can start to picture a successful career.”

Industry Needs Young Talent

The apprenticeship arrives amid a growing talent crisis in the accountancy sector. According to the UK Accountancy Sector Outlook Report published by Accountancy Age and HSBC UK last year, 67% of firms rank talent acquisition and retention as their top priority.

Jane Gill, Director at RBCA and manager of the Apprenticeship Programme, emphasised the importance of entry-level talent to the sector’s future:

“Gen Z, now aged up to 26, are becoming more present in the workforce and will account for 27 percent by 2025. Entry-level talent is essential. Industry leaders must provide the right learning environment for young people to grow, and our Apprenticeship Programme takes that exact approach.

“We have developed the programme with guidance from Accounting Technician Ireland to ensure it provides apprentices a nurturing environment, and the right resources and experiences so that they become critical-thinkers, problem-solvers and relationship-builders, all of which are essential in the modern world of accounting.”

A Culture of Inclusion and Innovation

Founded in 2010, RBCA employs 20 people and has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to inclusion. It has maintained a 50:50 male-to-female staff ratio since inception, with 50% of senior positions held by women—well above the industry average of 20%.

Ross Boyd, founder and director, believes this culture is key to the firm’s success:

“We invest in human capital. After all, businesses that prioritise diversity, inclusion, and flexibility, are proven to have higher retention.

“Despite AI transforming the accountancy sector, I don’t view the digital shift as a threat. We live in a technologically minded world, and as it is second nature to the next generation, it’s time to accept these new opportunities. Our integration of AI has been embraced by the team allowing us to leverage its benefits for our clients and for our own business performance.

“Whilst technology can learn from data and make predictions, it will never replace the value of human judgement, but by omitting the burden of repetitive and time-consuming activity, it makes the world of accounting more exciting for new starts.

“I’m extremely proud of our team, and our ongoing commitment to our apprentices and graduates. I look forward to continuing to provide meaningful opportunities for young people and setting a leading example for the sector.”

How to Apply

The RBCA Apprenticeship Programme is open to applicants with 96 UCAS points from any A-Level subject combination, a B in GCSE Maths, and a C in GCSE English.

To apply, candidates can visit rbca.co or email a CV to careers@rbca.co.