Success by association

ACCA students from around the world celebrated their achievements at the recent prizegiving ceremony - the biggest yet staged by ACCA - at the Sofitel St James hotel in London on 5 November 2004. Students attending the prestigious event travelled from Belgium, Botswana, Greater China, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.

View photographs from the event

This year's prizewinners are prime examples of the career opportunities open to people studying towards ACCA qualifications. They work in industry, in Big Four firms, and the public sector. The true measure of the prizewinners' achievements become clear in context - up to 17,000 students sat each paper at the June 2004 exam session, and many of the prizewinners tackled their exams in a second language.

For the first time, as well as recognising the outstanding achievements of Professional Scheme students and the highest mark in the MBA, the success of the highest-scoring Advanced Level CAT Scheme students was also recognised. The sponsors who generously supported the event were Barclays, BPP, Centrica, FTC and KPMG. ACCA vice president Dennis Yeates welcomed the prizewinners, their friends and families: 'This ceremony is one of the outstanding highlights of the year and I am delighted to be able to be here with you today to celebrate your achievements. It is even more special because your successes are being recognised at a very significant time for ACCA - in its centenary year. Our centenary celebrations, which have been taking place around the world, have all held true to the vision and values of our founding fathers in 1904. Their mission was to open up accountancy to people of application and ability, regardless of their background or location. Our prizewinners are the perfect embodiment of that ideal. They are hardworking, persistent and clearly have huge amounts of ability, and they also have plenty of stories to share about the qualities and sacrifices required to pass ACCA examinations, let alone excel in them.'

Dennis Yeates continued to explain that the theme for ACCA's centenary is responsibility - a theme which runs through ACCA's activities worldwide. 'ACCA takes its responsibility seriously when it comes to providing a knowledgeable and independent international voice to serve the public good and further the development of the accounting profession. We are working with governments, regulators and standard setters around the world to help them put structures in place, which ensure that their countries follow best practice.

'At its core, accountancy is about providing assurance with integrity. Through the work they do and the high standards to which they work, ACCA accountants and auditors support business and help stakeholders to make informed decisions.

ACCAs and FCCAs now serve at the highest level in government, as ministers, treasurers and auditors, in multinational companies and as senior partners in global accountancy firms. They are also making a real difference to their local communities by putting the skills they have learned to good use as business advisers, practitioners and in the not-for-profit sector.'

In addition to the ACCA prizewinners, the winners of an ACCA-sponsored English competition, held in China attended the ceremony. Twelve students won prizes in the competition which over 5,000 Chinese students entered.

After the presentation of certificates, medals and prizes, the winners, sponsors, and guests enjoyed lunch and the opportunity to network.