Headstar recently delivered an in-person Careers Masterclass session for students at Leeds Beckett University, led by Manager Rachel Porteous and Consultant Suliman Mahmood from our Transactional team.
The live talk was coordinated in partnership with Louise Grosvenor and Georgina Larkin, Careers Consultants at Leeds Beckett University, as part of an ongoing collaboration designed to give finance and accounting students practical insight into the realities of building a career in the profession.
It complemented multiple pre-recorded online sessions, exclusive to Leeds Beckett students, in which Rachel and Suliman share their expertise as finance recruitment specialists to help students explore career pathways and gain tools to help them take their first steps after graduation.
Both Rachel and Suliman are alumni of Leeds Beckett University, which makes the partnership particularly meaningful – returning not just as recruiters, but as former students sharing first-hand experience of how careers can develop after graduation.
Practical advice, real-world context
The masterclass focused on giving students a clear view of the different routes into finance and the qualifications and experience that can help them progress.
Students heard about:
- The range of role types within finance and accounting
- The different qualification pathways available, including ACCA, CIMA and CICM
- The importance of taking initiative and building practical exposure
- How to strengthen a CV with relevant experience
A key theme throughout the session was that there is no single “correct” path into finance. As Headstar Consultant, Suliman Mahmood, explains: “Everyone leaves university with a plan, but careers don’t always follow a straight line. There are many different routes into finance, and it’s important for students not to feel confined to one option. Gaining practical experience, staying proactive and understanding the qualifications available – including specialist routes like CICM for transactional professionals – can make a real difference early on.”
Suliman also spoke about the value of professional qualifications such as those offered by the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM), particularly for students interested in credit control and broader transactional finance roles. Building accredited qualifications alongside experience can help professionals accelerate both responsibility and salary progression.
Strong engagement from students
The session was delivered at the end of a finance lecture, with students choosing to stay on to take part. Engagement was high throughout, with a lively Q&A session continuing after the formal presentation and into the University’s Careers Fair, where Rachel and Suliman spoke at length with a number of finance and accounting students.
Positive feedback from attendees reflected the impact of the session. Simran Bahia, a student at Leeds Beckett University, said: “What really resonated with me was the focus on taking initiative, building experience and staying curious and open-minded. Not feeling confined to a single route and being discouraged if your journey does not look linear or conventional.”
Another Accounting and Finance student, Chibuzor Riochi-Egbon, commented: “Thank you to Suliman Mahmood and Rachel Porteous from Headstar for providing such an insightful session focused on the diverse career paths available within finance, the different routes within the industry, and the wide range of qualifications available to explore.
It was encouraging to be reminded that there is no single ‘correct’ path into building a successful and fulfilling career in finance. The session highlighted the importance of gaining practical experience and being proactive in seeking new opportunities.”
Supporting the next generation of finance professionals
Headstar is proud to partner with Leeds Beckett University to support initiatives like this. By combining recruitment insight with real market knowledge, the aim is to give students a clearer understanding of how the finance job market works and how they can position themselves effectively.
For Rachel and Suliman, returning to their former university to share practical advice with current students was a simple but important way of giving something back to the student community – and helping the next generation take informed steps into the profession.
