First year accounting students can give themselves a leg up this summer with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia's Achiever Work Experience Program.
Many companies offer the placement program ranging from two to 12 weeks.

Hugh Griffiths a Commerce-Law student at Monash University was a part of the program last year and believes that it was very beneficial. Skills learnt in the program are not solely related to accounting and are therefore transferable across many working environments. Mr Griffiths also believes that the program is a good test of whether you want to work in a practice or not, as after doing predominantly theory based studies at University you experience first hand what's expected within a company. This may lead you to reach the conclusion that you prefer the commercial side of Accounting as it is less partner focused.

The program is described by the Institute of Chartered Accountants general manager as a 'filtering program' that aids in locating the top 20 percent of first-year accounting students. It also allows that businesses and students to take a look at each other and as a result about half of the students involved in the program are invited back for more work the next year.

Also this program will enable enhanced career prospects in the future as it ensures that their CV will leap out at employers when they have finished their degree and seeking full time employment.

Overall Companies see the program as an investment in the future and due to its renowned success regional firms such as those in Geelong and Shepparton are currently seeking to take part and could have as many as 60 places available.