Eleven accounting firms to host SIT students

Crowds at Singapore Institute of Technology's (SIT) open house in January 2013. SIT has partnered with 11 accounting firms to host students in its first work-study programme. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Crowds at Singapore Institute of Technology's (SIT) open house in January 2013. SIT has partnered with 11 accounting firms to host students in its first work-study programme. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Eleven leading accounting firms have partnered with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to host students in its first work-study programme.

If they do well in their eight- month stints, the students - after graduating - stand to gain full-time positions one level above other fresh graduates, SIT programme director Jeanette Ng said.

Companies such as Baker Tilly TFW, Deloitte & Touche and Ernst & Young have signed up for the scheme, which could see an SIT graduate enter as an A2 associate instead of an A1.

At a memorandum of understanding signing session yesterday, Dr Ng said: "The firms are willing to do that only because the students have actually been able to run through peak cycle work."

The work-study programme for SIT's three-year Bachelor of Accountancy with Honours degree course will kick off in January next year and run through the peak auditing period from January to March. It will allow students to experience a full audit cycle as well as in-house training.

"Because of their length of stay with us, we will be able to focus greater attention on them," said Mr Mak Keat Meng, head of assurance at Ernst & Young.

Students enrolled in SIT's new degree courses are required to spend eight months to a year with a firm, under the work-study programme.

SIT, which admits mostly polytechnic graduates, will welcome its first batch of about 145 accountancy students next month. This is double the number of places it had originally planned.

Freshman Dennis Lee, 26, said: "It's a new school, but we're working with so many partners and opportunities. I feel secure."

marilee@sph.com.sg

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