Recruit a MAcc Advanced Accounting Placement Student
Partner to help shape the next generation of accounting professionals through our innovative MAcc Advanced Accounting with Placement programme. This integrated four-year degree combines undergraduate and Master’s-level study, culminating in a paid, 8-12 week placement in the Spring (January -April) semester.
Designed in collaboration with industry, the programme equips students with advanced technical knowledge, digital fluency, and professional skills—ensuring they are workplace-ready and primed to add value from day one.
By offering a placement, your organisation can access top-tier talent while contributing to the development of future leaders in accounting and finance.
Benefits to Employers
Access to High-Calibre Talent
Students are trained to Master’s level with exemptions from key professional exams (e.g., CAI CAP1 & CAP2), ensuring strong technical and analytical capabilities.
Fresh Perspectives & Innovation
Placement students bring up-to-date academic knowledge, digital readiness, and a fresh outlook that can enhance your team’s problem-solving and innovation.
Cost-Effective Recruitment Pipeline
Hosting a placement is a low-risk way to assess potential future talent, which can significantly reduce recruitment costs and improve long-term employee retention rates.
Enhanced Employer Brand & University Engagement
By offering student placements, your organisation demonstrates a commitment to developing future talent and supporting education.
To register your interest in hosting a MAcc placement student please complete the form at the link below and a member of our placement team will reach out to discuss.
Employer Webinar
Thursday 3rd July at 12.30pm
We are hosting a webinar for employers on Thursday 3rd July at 12.30pm, to share further information about what is required to host a placement student and the benefits it can bring to your organisation.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the webinar.
Frequently Asked Questions by Employers
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What are the benefits for my organisation of offering placement to QBS MAcc students?
There are a number of benefits of your organisation offering placement to QBS MAcc students, these include:
- Helping students develop work-based skills which in turn will provide you with more experienced individuals as they take on graduate roles.
- Developing links to QBS, one of the top Business Schools in the UK.
- Providing an extra resource for your organisation with a comprehensive knowledge of accounting.
- Providing opportunities for your existing staff to develop mentoring/supervisory skills of the placement student as part of their own development plan.
- Developing a pipeline for recruitment opportunities.
- Is the placement paid, and if so how much are students paid?
All placements must be paid. Whilst there is no legislated minimum wage for placement students, we ask that employers endeavour to pay no less than the current national living wage, which is set at £12.21 per hour from 1 April 2025.
- How long will placement be, and when can it take place?
The expectation is of a placement of around 12 weeks in Semester two of Year Four, but to allow for leave, illness or other operational issues, we have set a minimum number of 300 hours (8 weeks). Placement should be completed between January-April 2026. Timings will differ by employer.
- We have not offered placement before – will guidance be available?
Assuming you have placements to offer, the QBS Careers & Work Placement Team has substantial expertise in helping setting up new placements and has a pack of easy-to-follow guidance to help you with this process.
- What if a student is unwell or needs to take leave during the placement?
Minor incidences can be managed by the employer and are unlikely to breach the requirement to complete a minimum of 300 hours. More serious or repeated incidences should be escalated to the MAcc Programme Director (Brenda Clerkin), who will work with you and the student to resolve the issue on a case-by-case basis.
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What will we need to do to support the student?
QBS will provide guidance based on the Placement Office’s extensive experience, and you may also have your own support processes. Guidance typically includes matters such as assigning the student a key contact (employer mentor), allocating appropriate work, providing support and mentoring to complete the work.
- What support does QBS provide to the student on placement?
Each student will have a designated member of staff to act as a supervisor and primary contact point, and that supervisor will also have a role (secondary to the employer mentor) in assessing student completion of the placement. The MAcc Programme Director will act as a contact for more serious or overarching issues.
- What is required from us to assess the students’ performance during placement?
Employers will be asked to complete three elements –
- Facilitate a mid-placement onsite visit by the students’ supervisor and student to discuss the students’ performance to date (1 hour).
- Facilitate an end of placement meeting (onsite or on MS Teams) with the students’ supervisor and student to discuss overall performance of the student (1 hour).
- Complete a one-page placement evaluation form on the student’s overall performance & confirm that the student’s reflective diary is a reasonable reflection of the competencies gained.
Note-Students are not awarded a mark for placement but rather will be assessed as being satisfactory/not satisfactory in terms of overall performance against the placement learning outcomes.
- What if there are issues with the student’s performance or conduct during placement?
The MAcc Programme Director will act as a contact for more serious or overarching issues.
- In the event of disciplinary issues, do I refer the student to our internal procedures or to the University?
We would ask employers to treat the students like staff and refer to your own procedures as you see fit. You can also contact the MAcc Programme Director who will assist in resolving the situation.