Real-World Projects come to Life for T Level Accounting Students

T Level Accounting students gained real-world insight into procurement, budgeting, and contract management through a series of sessions led by professionals with direct industry experience.

On 13 and 29 January, T Level Accounting students took part in a series of sessions led by Shelia Fraser Whyte, Independent Consultant at Stanmore College. The sessions provided practical insight into large-scale projects, procurement, and financial management.

New Build Project: Bringing Theory to Life

The first session, in collaboration with Vikash Pindoria, focused on the College’s New Build development and proved particularly timely for students as they were studying Project Change Management, with a focus on procurement and tendering processes. Shelia’s discussion of the upcoming procurement for the new cafeteria/canteen provided a relevant, real-world example, helping students move beyond theory and gain a clearer understanding of how procurement operates in practice.

Students covering cash flow and budgeting, were particularly intrigued by the £62 million cost of the new campus developments. The session illustrated how large-scale projects depend on detailed budgeting, long-term financial planning, and effective cash flow management. Tutors were able to build on this learning in subsequent lessons, reinforcing the importance of financial control throughout the lifecycle of major business and public sector projects.

Overall, the session significantly enhanced students’ understanding of the phasing and development of the New Build project while successfully linking curriculum content to live examples.

Exploring Tendering and Contracts in Practice

On 29 January, Stanmore College again welcomed Shelia to deliver a focused session on Tendering and Contracts. The session aligned closely with key curriculum areas, including Project Change Management and Regulatory and Compliance requirements.

Drawing on her professional experience, Shelia provided a practical overview of how organisations procure goods and services, manage contracts, and respond to organisational change while remaining compliant with financial and legal regulations. The session effectively bridged the gap between classroom learning and workplace practice.

Linking Tendering to Project Change Management

Shelia explained the critical role that tendering and contract management play in project planning and change management. Whether expanding services, introducing new facilities, or responding to regulatory changes, organisations must often source new suppliers or contractors. Effective procurement processes help ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with regulatory standards.

Students explored the importance of clear documentation, accurate costing, and risk assessment, particularly when managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.

Key Stages of the Procurement Process

A key highlight of the session was a clear breakdown of the main stages of procurement, which students were able to directly link to their accounting studies:

• Preparation (identifying needs, planning, and budgeting)
• Invitation (issuing tender documents)
• Submission (tendering and bidding)
• Evaluation of bids
• Contract award and contract management

These stages reinforced how structured procurement processes support transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance across both public and private sector organisations.

Procurement, Bidding, and Financial Documentation

The session also emphasised the role of financial documentation, particularly quotations, within the procurement and bidding process. Shelia explained how quotations are used to compare suppliers fairly, assess value for money, and support informed decision-making.

Students gained a clearer understanding of how quotations and related financial documents link directly to procurement and contract management, reinforcing the relevance of accounting skills in these professional contexts.

Grant Applications and Funding Opportunities

Another valuable element of the session focused on grant applications and funding. Shelia outlined the key components of a successful application, including clear project objectives, accurate financial forecasts, evidence of need and impact, and strict adherence to funding criteria. Students learned how attention to detail and robust financial justification are essential when securing external funding.

A Valuable Learning Experience

These guest speaker sessions provided students with a deeper understanding of how accounting knowledge is applied in real business and public sector environments. By linking tendering, procurement, contracts, budgeting, and cash flow management to live projects and regulatory requirements, students gained meaningful insight into future career pathways within finance, procurement, and business development.

Stanmore College would like to thank Shelia Fraser Whyte and Vikash Pindoria for delivering two highly informative and engaging sessions that significantly enriched the learning experience for T Level Accounting students, reinforcing the importance of financial accuracy, compliance, and professional practice.