PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is hosting a Viva Las Vegas reception next week for students interested in a career in accounting and learning more about the firm.

PwC partner Raymond Medeiros said there is a strong need to attract Bermudians into the accounting profession and as such PwC is always looking for outstanding students.

Mr. Medeiros said: ?We will always have an opening for someone we feel is capable of doing the Chartered Accountant (CA) programme.

?At Christmas time, when many students are coming home from university we like to present, in a fun and entertaining way, the great opportunities for those with a professional designation in the accounting industry.?

The public accounting firm offers an in-house training programme in partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bermuda (ICAB) and the Atlantic School of Chartered Accountancy in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

PwC can also assist students in obtaining the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation prepared by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).

Mr. Medeiros said there are a number of benefits to be gained from an accounting designation.

?If you look in the business community there a number of CEOs and other senior executives who started with an accounting background,? he said.

PwC employs 125,000 people globally in 139 countries and there are opportunities for Bermudians to work overseas, he added.

Working in the industry can also be a financially rewarding career once that professional designation has been achieved.

?PwC has been responsible for training a significant number of Bermudian CAs who are members of ICAB and many are playing leading roles in local business and the international business sector,? Mr. Medeiros said.

The company?s partners and other management staff members will be attending the reception and students will be able to interact with them as well as play various interactive, Vegas-style gambling games.

Current students and newly qualified accountants will also be there to network and offer advice to students.

The firm uses the reception to highlight Summer internship opportunities at PwC and is also involved in many career fairs in order to promote itself to high school students.

The Viva Las Vegas student reception will be held on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Dorchester House, 7 Church Street in Hamilton.

To register to participate please send an email to pwcbermuda.hrbm.pwc.com or bermynet.com.