Coleg Menai profits from having Wales’ first Accounting Club Educators

Coleg Menai lecturers Guto Jones and Carwyn Jones have become the first Accounting Club Educators in Wales.

The Business lecturers recently qualified to deliver Accounting Clubs in Schools - an interactive, fun and accessible scheme aimed at improving young people’s financial literacy.

Accounting Clubs in Schools is a 10-week programme that provides financial education as an enrichment activity for 16-18 year olds. It is hosted by Accounting Cafe, supported by volunteers, and uses the Colour Accounting Learning System under licence.

Guto and Carwyn, who teach at the new Tŷ Menai campus in Bangor, are now qualified to run Accounting Clubs for students across various courses, as well as incorporating some of its methods into their own teaching.

Guto said: “It’s not like traditional accounting teaching. You don’t have to be brilliant at maths. It’s fun, it’s very kinesthetic-type learning, it’s straight-forward and there’s an element of creativity.

“We want to establish the Accounting Club here and grow it. It’s going to help learners studying elements of accounts on their course, and improve the financial literacy of people taking part in it.

“It’s a fun thing that could get people thinking about a career in accounting, but not just that. We can use the Colour Accounting Learning System to teach elements of accounting on other courses, such as Hospitality and Catering, Hair and Beauty, and Travel and Tourism.

“We’ve got a lot of people who are going to be sole traders. In the area where we live there are a lot of SMEs (Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises), and it will be useful for them as well.”

Accounting Clubs in Schools was established in 2021, and is currently running in about 20 schools and colleges in the UK.

It provides a foundational understanding of financial literacy, covering topics such as accounting, budgeting and saving, investing, and gaining a competitive edge in the job market.

It uses the Colour Accounting System, which is owned by Wealthvox, and tools such as the board game-style BaSIS board.

Pictures: Wealthvox

Guto and Carwyn attended a training course in how to deliver the programme, including how to use the Colour Accounting System, and are now certified Accounting Club Educators.

Toby York, founder of Accounting Cafe, said: “We're thrilled to see Guto and Carwyn become our first Accounting Club Educators in Wales.

“Their commitment to financial literacy aligns perfectly with our mission to empower students with practical financial acumen. This marks an exciting step in our goal to make comprehensive financial education accessible to all students across the UK.”

He said schools and colleges that run the programme report increased student engagement and excellent attendance at the sessions, with some students inspired to pursue accounting at university level.

Accounting Clubs in Schools uses a 'wealth agnostic' approach that can benefit all students, regardless of their economic background or financial aspirations.

Toby said: “The distinctive framework-based approach allows students to evaluate any financial situation, even ones they haven't encountered before. It's about building a healthy relationship with money, not teaching technical concepts.”

Catherine Skipp, Coleg Menai’s Programme Area Manager for Service Industries and Business, said: “I am delighted that Guto and Carwyn have become the first Accounting Club Educators in Wales after receiving financial support from Coleg Menai to achieve their accreditation.

“I am thrilled that we can now offer added enrichment opportunities for our learners, which will help them to develop a healthy relationship with money and potentially aid them in their future careers. I'd also like to thank Guto and Carwyn for going the extra mile to be able to offer this opportunity to our learners.”

For more information on how to become an Accounting Club Educator, visit the Accounting Cafe website accountingcafe.org

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