High school and college students recently had the opportunity to interface with professionals from the Island's financial industry at a hosted by accountancy firm KPMG.

Over a buffet of finger foods and sodas, students fired detailed questions at some of the industry's best.

But KPMG senior manager Tana Tucker said the idea was to promote "the different areas that people can work" at KPMG.

Representatives from accounting, actuarial science and information technology answered student questions; sometimes five or more students talking to the same professional.

"The idea is to promote the careers that you can get in an accounting firm," said Mrs. Tucker.

"Basically trying to interest young people in the profession because there's lots of opportunity," she added.

Partner in charge of corporate restructuring and insurance solution, Malcolm Butterfield, told Young Observer: "A lot of things happen here."

Mrs. Tucker added: "We're here to sell KPMG but we're also here to sell Bermuda. Everybody's very valuable, not just accountants."

She said there are "opportunities" on the Island and the firm was hoping to attract students to the financial industry.

Mr. Butterfield said: "We want to give them something to think about. Hopefully, they'll think of us. I think it's part of our responsibility, to encourage Bermudians to seek us out - the business is growing. We have a lot of home-grown Bermudians."

The informal reception, at Crown House on Par-la-Ville Road, hosted some thirty students from different backgrounds.

Berkeley Institute and students from Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada talked about a career in the financial industry, before tracking down one of the professions for more answers.

Twenty-two year old Acadia student Josette Matthews said the professionals were "approachable".