Seven Bermudians cleared the toughest hurdle on the road to becoming a Chartered Accountant by passing the Uniform Final Examination (UFE).

The seven, in addition to a handful of Canadians working on the Island, learned they had passed last Friday and enjoyed a celebratory lunch at Ascots restaurant yesterday.

For the successful group, it was the culmination of between two and four years of courses — depending on their level of business knowledge beforehand — leading up to the UFE exam.

Those who have passed the UFE now need two years' work experience to gain their CA designation.

Joining them was John Wight, chairman of the Institute of Charted Accountants of Bermuda, who said becoming an accountant was the best business qualification a young Bermudian could get.

"We are trying to shun the old stereotype of accountancy as a boring profession," Mr. Wight said. "In fact, it is a stepping stone to any senior position in the auditing profession, industry or in Government. The opportunities are endless.

"Being a chartered accountant in Bermuda is as close to a recession-proof job as I can think of.

He cited KeyTech Ltd. CEO Sheila Lines and former Belco Holdings CEO Garry Madeiros as two examples of local industry leaders who had built on their CA qualification.

There are around 750 members of ICAB and some 230 of them are Bermudian. Opportunities abound on the Island for those who have the designation.

And that is the message that ICAB wants to get out to young Bermudians.