Queen’s launches graduate trainee programme with Chartered Accountants Ireland

Queen’s University Belfast has launched a graduate trainee programme in partnership with Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI), offering a structured route for aspiring accountants to gain practical experience while earning a professional qualification. The initiative allows graduates to work within the university’s Finance Directorate, gaining exposure to various financial operations while studying toward their chartered accountancy designation.

Through rotational placements across finance functions, trainees will develop key competencies in financial management, reporting, and analysis. The programme also emphasises commercial awareness and strategic thinking—skills that are increasingly sought after in the finance sector.

Participants benefit from mentorship by senior leaders at Queen’s, including Vice-President and Chief Finance and Resources Officer Patrick Anderson and Director of Finance Matthew Graham, who play an active role in guiding their professional growth.

CAI will support the academic and technical training elements, with its Executive Head of Global Engagement, Zara Duffy, overseeing professional development opportunities.

The first cohort—comprising Laura McCullough, Zoe Taylor, Nicole Woods, and Hannah Wylie—has already begun working alongside the university’s finance team, gaining hands-on experience in budgeting, planning, and resource management.

This partnership reflects a broader trend in higher education and professional training, where institutions combine academic rigour with workplace learning to produce graduates equipped for evolving financial environments. By linking theory with practice, Queen’s aims to nurture a new generation of accountants who can meet the changing demands of both public and private sectors.

Explore more details on Queen’s new graduate programme and its benefits for aspiring accountants in the full article.