award winner PQ
Dreams can come true Meet Tim Mickleburgh, the current PQ Accountancy Graduate of the Year, who made the most of the opportunities university offered him t was a dream come true when I was accepted onto the BSc Accounting programme at the University of Manchester. I never thought that someone from my background would be able to go to university, let alone to one of the highest ranked universities in the country. I grew up as a young carer – from the age of six – and came from a family where no one had been to university before. I doubted whether someone like me could succeed in higher education and feared that I wouldn’t be as good as my peers. I was so grateful to be at such a prestigious university and sought to make the most of the opportunities that came with this. Little did I know that my three years at university would end up being such a life changing experience. I worked really hard with my accounting studies and I was so proud when I graduated with a first-class degree. I loved every second of my time at university and found myself falling in love with academia, so much so that I dream of becoming a university lecturer in the future. Last year I was one of three students around
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PQ Magazine February 2025
the country to be shortlisted by PQ magazine for the Accountancy Graduate of the Year award. It was a huge surprise when I heard my name get announced as the winner at the ceremony. At the awards, PQ magazine editor Graham Hambly said: “Our judges loved Tim’s motivation and the simple fact that he loves learning, too. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day he’s back on the shortlist for Lecturer of the Year.”
Jennifer Rose, Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester, added: “Tim is an awesome example of the difference university can make. He made the most of every opportunity that came along and the way he developed as an undergraduate was remarkable. He was transformed from a shy teenager to a highly competent professional upon graduation and continues to inspire accounting undergraduates, enabling them to also flourish.” And Reimala Sivalingam, Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester, said: “Tim has supported many students by sharing his knowledge and experience to help them succeed academically and boost their career prospects. His enthusiasm as an undergraduate of the University of Manchester and continued support as an alumnus has truly made a difference in enhancing other students’ lives at university and beyond.” Since becoming PQ’s Accountancy Graduate of the Year I’ve been gaining professional experience and advancing my accounting studies to become a CIMA management accountant. I will treasure my shiny PQ trophy forever, and whenever I look at it I am reminded of how much of a life-changing experience university was for me. I hope that my success inspires other young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and shows that you can achieve anything you want if you have a passion for what you do and you work really hard at it.
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