ACCA-EY Cyprus-NEAPOLIS Professional Experience Program

ACCA, Neapolis University Pafos, and EY Cyprus have launched an innovative collaboration for the 2024-2025 academic year in Cyprus, the “ACCA Professional Experience Program”, which focuses on two main pillars:

• First Pillar: Offering undergraduate students enrolled in the BSc Accounting, Banking and Finance program at Neapolis University Pafos—recognized with 9 ACCA exemptions—the opportunity for paid work internship placements at EY Cyprus prior to graduation. This practical experience enables students to acquire essential skills and professional exposure, facilitating a smoother transition into the job market upon completion of their academic studies.
• Second Pillar: Available for postgraduate students in the MSc Accounting and Financial Management program (ACCA Embedded Masters). This program, recognized by ACCA with 9 exemptions, operates under the ACCA Embedded Masters framework, allowing students to get examined for all ACCA exam papers, with their graduation. Postgraduate students in this program may be selected for full-time or part-time employment at EY Cyprus, under EY Cyprus’ employment criteria and conditions, while undertaking their studies. The working hours accrued at EY Cyprus will count towards the 36 months of professional experience required by ACCA. Moreover, EY Cyprus through its commitment to support the program and young talents, intends to offer, at its discretion and subject to specific terms and conditions, a limited number of partial scholarships to candidates employed by EY Cyprus and enrolled under this program.

This collaboration creates an innovative opportunity for students of these two programs at Neapolis University Pafos, directly linking them to the job market through the work opportunities provided by EY Cyprus and the potential partial scholarships for the MSc Accounting and Financial Management program, while their work experience will count towards their Practical Experience Requirements (PER) of the globally recognized ACCA Qualification.

Upon successfully completing their studies, students who have participated in the program will have the opportunity to be potentially offered a full-time job opportunity at EY Cyprus, with an increased salary scale, as this will be determined by EY Cyprus.

The Rector of Neapolis University Pafos, Professor Pantelis Sklias stated : …“Staying committed to affordable academic excellence, and direct connection with the job market, in collaboration with ACCA and EY Cyprus, we have created a new reality in university education by offering opportunities to our students and graduates—both for the Undergraduate Program BSc in Accounting, Banking, and Finance, as well as the Graduate Program MSc in Accounting and Financial Management—for academic and professional advancement through scholarships, financial tools, internships, placement, and employment. I thank our two strategic partners, ACCA and EY Cyprus, not only for the exceptionally positive spirit of cooperation they have demonstrated but also for their tangible contribution to both quality university education and the society.”

Speaking about the program, Mr. Andreas Avraam, Partner of Assurance Services at EY Cyprus, stated: “This innovative collaboration marks an important initiative that will provide students, not only with knowledge and skills, but also the chance to integrate their undergraduate or postgraduate studies with remunerated work experience at EY Cyprus, coupled with their ACCA training. It also offers them excellent opportunities and the chance to build a career in a dynamic professional industry. At EY Cyprus, they will be part of a worldwide exceptional work setting that presents significant paths for growth and skill enhancement, all while receiving ongoing and comprehensive on-the-job training from our esteemed professionals."

ACCA representative Marios Evripidou, Business Relationship Manager, added: “Actions and innovative collaborations like this one between ACCA, EY Cyprus, and Neapolis University Pafos, create opportunities for future graduates aimed at a smooth and fruitful transition from academic studies to the professional spectrum, especially in a sector with enormous prospects for the future and multifaceted job opportunities.”

About EY Cyprus

EY Cyprus, with over 90 years of practice, has been a trusted business advisor and auditor to a broad range of clients, from private individuals and entrepreneurial businesses to major public companies and large multinationals. We are part of EY EMEIA area, the largest multicounty region in the global EY organization. Cyprus is one of the 29 countries that comprise the Central, Eastern and South-eastern Europe, and Central Asia (CESA) region. In this Transformative Age, EY teams have to stay ahead of new trends. We need to help maintain and improve the quality through our four service lines (Assurance, Tax and Legal, Consulting and Strategy and Transactions), while making greater use of emerging technologies and different skills to create new and innovative offerings. Our industry specializations in Cyprus cover banking and capital markets, insurance, government and public sector, technology, shipping, telecommunications, consumer products and retail, automotive and transportation, hospitality, real estate, asset management, oil and gas, and power and utilities.

About ACCA

ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global organization for professional accountants, offering professional qualifications and certifications to those pursuing a career in accounting, finance, and management. ACCA supports its 251,000 members and 527,000 students in 181 countries, helping them develop successful careers in accounting and business, with skills demanded by employers. ACCA collaborates with a network of 117 offices and centers and over 7,828 Approved Employers worldwide, and 322 Approved Learning Providers who deliver high standards of education and development. Through its public interest mission, ACCA promotes proper regulation of accounting and conducts relevant studies and research to ensure that the reputation and influence of the profession continue to grow. ACCA has introduced significant innovations to ensure that its members and future members remain the most respected, informed, and sought-after professional accountants worldwide. ACCA, founded in 1904, maintains its core values of opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity, and accountability, which are integral to its purpose. In December 2020, ACCA set specific targets related to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which it monitors and publishes in its annual integrated report. ACCA is a non-profit organization.

About Neapolis University Pafos (NUP)

Neapolis University Pafos is one of the leading private Universities of Cyprus. Established in 2010 is a vibrant academic institution emphasizing in high-quality Higher Education, the creation of cutting-edge applied knowledge focusing in parallel, on the provision of optimal academic services to its academic community and the broader society, at a national as well as at an international level. Since 2022, NUP together with another 8 European Universities from 8 different EU member states (9 with NUP and Cyprus) is a full member of the European University Alliance EMERGE (euemerge.eu), an emblematic initiative undertaken and funded by the European Commission.

With more than 8.500 graduates, 3.200 registered students12 Undergraduate Programmes, 34 post graduate Programs, 5 Doctorate programs, numerous international collaborations and partnerships, membership in international academic and professional bodies, NUP  strongly contributes  to social cohesion and evolution; to the progression of science via processes of interactive and innovative learning pedagogies and the development of research;  the development of high-level new scientists and professionals of contemporary fields of knowledge. NUP promotes the appreciation of cutting - edge knowledge and research and create greater potential and opportunities in the new industries. NUP Degrees offer students the requiered knowledge and the appropriate skills and competencies for their smooth and successful integration in cutting-edge jobs of 4th IR and 21th century communities.

For more information:

EY Cyprus Marketing
EY Brand, Marketing & Communications
+357 2220 9999  
Email: eycyprusmarketing@cy.ey.com
Website: www.ey.com/cy
Twitter: @EY_Cyprus  |  Facebook: @EYCyprus  |  Instagram: eycyprus | YouTube: EY Cyprus

Notes to Editors

About EY

EY | Assurance | Tax | Strategy and Transactions | Consulting
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, strategy, transaction and consulting services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

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