NEVER mind being top of the class, a North Yorkshire accountant has gone a step further after achieving the highest marks in the world in his latest exam.

Twenty five-year-old Craig Bosworth, who work for DHL in Sherburn-in-Elmet, received the top score in his Financial Strategy exam, which he sat as part of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) exams.

Mr Bosworth, who is on the finance graduate scheme at DHL, and studied with BPP, achieved a score of 88 per cent, beating more than 5,000 other students registered for the exam around the world.

The young accountant earned the top score while sitting two of his other professional exam papers at the same time.

Mr Bosworth, who grew up in Ripley, Derbyshire and attended Ripley Mill Hill School before studying for a Business and Accounting degree at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “I’m delighted to have done so well in my professional exams to become a qualified management accountant. Winning the prize was fantastic.

“The exams were really tough but I had a lot of support both from BPP, through which I studied, and my employer, DHL.

“The qualification has not only provided me with essential accounting skills but has given me a broader understanding of the wider business environment.”

To become a chartered management accountant, students need to complete ten professional qualification exams over four years, requiring personal study, complemented by three years’ experience gained while studying.

Noel Tagoe, executive director of education at CIMA, said: “Once again, It’s so pleasing to see such excellent performances from around the world. This highlights CIMA’s ethic, that dedication and hard work can produce exemplary results.”