Award winning Queens University Students join BDO NI Mentor Programme

(L-R) Professor Ciaran Connolly (Queen's Management School), Shea Byrne, BDO NI Partner Laura Jackson, Jason Robinson, Nathan Bunting and Frances Kennedy (Queen's Management School).

 

Business advisory firm BDO Northern has welcomed the top three performing Financial Accounting Students from Queens University onto their unique mentoring programme. The first-year students, Nathan Bunting, Shea Byrne, and Jason Robinson, who all achieved the highest marks in their ‘Introductory Financial Accounting Module’ assessment were awarded the BDO Micéal Murphy Award by Queen’s University Management School in the summer of 2022.

As part of the award, the students had the opportunity to join BDO NI for an ‘Insights Day’, where they  met their new mentor who will offer them support and guidance throughout the lifetime of their studies. The three students will also gain opportunities to continue their experience through internships and placements with the firm.

BDO NI Partner, Laura Jackson, who heads up the programme said,

“The BDO Micéal Murphy Award is always a highlight in our calendar every year.  We understand the true value that mentorship, work experience and having access to professionals can have for university students, not only in completing their studies, but also as they enter the “real world” of work after graduating. We are delighted to support this award and to formally welcome the 2022 winners as part of the BDO family.”

The successful programme, now in its 9^th year, further offers students the opportunity to develop their professional skillset and work with some of Northern Irelands most successful and ambitious businesses. 

The Award was renamed in 2016 in memory of a former award winner, who sadly passed away in 2015. In dedicating the award to Micéal Murphy’s memory, BDO NI want to remember the enthusiasm and passion that he brought to his time on the programme.

Fidelma Murphy, Micéal’s mum said,

“I can’t help but think that winning the BDO prize is the incentive to believe it is possible to achieve all their dreams. I know how much more confidence Micéal had in himself after he won. It is so lovely to hear how well previous winners have done.“

 

Professor Ciaran Connolly, Queen’s University Management School added,

“Micéal's enthusiasm and friendly personality were an inspiration to staff and students alike. I am privileged to have known him and, through this award, Micéal has had, and will continue to have, a positive impact on the future of many students.”

Pictured are Shea Byrne, BDO NI Partner Laura Jackson, Kevin & Fidelma Murphy, Jason Robinson and Nathan Bunting.