1About the scholarship

The Clare Finch Accounting Scholarship exists to honour Clare’s legacy and the values that continue to shape HTFT Partnership today: Integrity, Care, Courage and Perseverance. It supports one motivated and committed student to take their next step towards a successful career in accounting and finance, ensuring that talent is never limited by financial barriers.

These terms and conditions set out what the scholarship provides, who may apply, how recipients are chosen, and the conditions a recipient agrees to in accepting the award. By applying, applicants confirm that they have read and accept these terms.

2What the scholarship covers

For the recipient’s chosen qualification pathway with HTFT (AAT, ACCA or CIMA), the scholarship provides:

• Full tuition and revision support for the chosen qualification pathway.
• All course materials and online learning resources.
• Exam entry fees, where applicable, subject to the resit condition in section 6.
• Mentoring, coaching and guidance throughout the recipient’s journey.

The scholarship covers one qualification pathway at a time, and may support a recognised progression from AAT to ACCA or CIMA where agreed in writing with HTFT’s Senior Leadership Team. It does not cover membership fees payable to a professional body, hardware or equipment, travel, or any cost not expressly listed above, unless HTFT agrees otherwise in writing.

3Who can apply

The scholarship is open to people taking their first steps into accounting and finance, as well as those already on their qualification journey, who are studying or planning to study AAT, ACCA or CIMA. Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

• Strong motivation and commitment.
• Genuine potential and professionalism.
• A clear desire to build a career in accounting or finance.
• How the scholarship would make a meaningful difference to them.

We particularly welcome applications from students facing financial barriers, career changers, students from underrepresented backgrounds, and individuals who have shown resilience, determination or personal courage. These are welcomed characteristics, not eligibility requirements.

4How to apply

Applicants complete the online application form and submit a personal statement of up to 300 words covering why they want to pursue accounting or finance, the challenges they have faced, how the scholarship would help them, and their career goals and ambitions.

Applications submitted after the closing date will not be considered. The information provided must be the applicant’s own and accurate; any material misrepresentation may result in an application being rejected, or an award being withdrawn.

5Selection

Applications are assessed against the qualities set out in section 3. Shortlisted applicants are invited to an online interview, after which the recipient is selected. Selection decisions are made at the discretion of HTFT’s Senior Leadership Team and are final. HTFT is not able to provide individual feedback on unsuccessful applications, and reserves the right not to make an award in any given cycle if no suitable applicant is identified.

6Conditions of the award

To keep the scholarship, the recipient agrees to the following conditions.

6.1 Exam resits

The scholarship funds one resit per exam. If the recipient does not pass on the resit, the scholarship will not fund any further attempts at that exam. The recipient is welcome to continue and re-sit at their own cost, and remains supported by HTFT’s tuition and mentoring for the remainder of their pathway.

6.2 Minimum commitment

The recipient is expected to sit, and make a genuine attempt at passing, at least three exams in each 12-month period of their studies, calculated from the scholarship start date, to demonstrate steady progress towards completing their qualification. The recipient must also pass at least two exams in each 12-month period of their studies. Where progress falls short of this for reasons within the recipient’s control, HTFT’s Senior Leadership Team may review the award (see section 8). Genuine circumstances outside the recipient’s control are dealt with under section 7.

6.3 Engagement

The recipient is expected to engage actively with their studies — attending tuition and revision sessions, taking part in mentoring and coaching, and completing set work — to a standard consistent with a student committed to completing their qualification.

6.4 Duration

The scholarship supports the recipient to completion of their chosen qualification pathway, subject to the conditions in these terms and to reasonable timescales for that pathway. It may extend to a recognised progression from AAT to ACCA or CIMA where agreed in writing with HTFT’s Senior Leadership Team, but does not otherwise extend to a second or subsequent qualification, and does not continue indefinitely.

7Deferral and mitigating circumstances

HTFT recognises that students may face genuine difficulties — including illness, bereavement, caring responsibilities or other significant personal circumstances. A recipient in this position should contact HTFT as early as possible. HTFT’s Senior Leadership Team may agree to pause the scholarship through a formal break in learning, adjust the minimum-commitment expectation in section 6.2, or otherwise make reasonable accommodation, so that a recipient is not penalised for events beyond their control. Any such arrangement will be confirmed in writing.

8Ending the scholarship

HTFT’s Senior Leadership Team may review, suspend or withdraw the scholarship where a recipient, for reasons within their control:

• withdraws from their course or ceases to engage with their studies;
• consistently fails to meet the engagement or minimum-commitment expectations in section 6, without agreed mitigating circumstances;
• provided false or misleading information in their application;
• is subject to an investigation by an awarding or professional body (AAT, ACCA or CIMA) that results in their suspension or withdrawal from that body; or
• behaves in a way that is seriously inconsistent with HTFT’s values or brings HTFT into disrepute.

Before withdrawing an award, HTFT’s Senior Leadership Team will normally discuss the concern with the recipient and, where appropriate, agree a way forward. Where the scholarship is withdrawn, funding ceases from the date of withdrawal; HTFT will not seek to reclaim tuition or fees already provided, unless the award was obtained through misrepresentation.

9General

• Non-transferable. The scholarship is personal to the recipient and cannot be transferred to another person or qualification pathway.
• No cash alternative. The scholarship is provided as tuition, resources, exam fees and support. There is no cash alternative, and no part of it is payable to the recipient as money.
• Discretion. Decisions on selection, deferral and withdrawal are made at the discretion of HTFT’s Senior Leadership Team.
• Variation. HTFT may vary these terms where reasonably necessary; any change affecting a current recipient will be communicated to them in writing.
• Publicity. HTFT may wish to share the recipient’s story to promote the scholarship. The recipient’s consent will be sought before any name, image or personal detail is used publicly, and consent may be declined or withdrawn.

10Data protection

HTFT Partnership will hold and process the personal information provided in an application solely for the purposes of administering and assessing the scholarship, in line with HTFT’s privacy policy and applicable data protection law. Applicant information is not used for unrelated purposes and is retained only as long as necessary.

11Contact

Questions about the scholarship or these terms can be sent to sc*********@****************co.uk.