A SOUTHAMPTON trainee accountant is already a world-beater after scoring the highest mark globally in one of his exams.

KPMG trainee Stephen Perry, 29, is on top of the world after topping 17,000 entrants with a score of 92 per cent in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Audit and Assurance Services exam.

"When I was told I had come first I was surprised but naturally extremely pleased," said Stephen, who lives in Woolston. "This was one of the final stage papers so it was very challenging.

"It is hard work, really hard. I can't believe how difficult it has been but I am confident.

"I needed an awareness of business and commercial reality rather than just facts learned from books. My experience at KPMG, working with a wide variety of companies around the Southamp-ton area, gave me practical experience which helped a great deal."

Tony Cottam, senior partner at KPMG's south coast office, said: "This is a fantastic achievement for Stephen - especially considering he beat off competition from all the other candidates sitting the paper across the whole world! With an achievement like this under his belt Stephen has a bright future ahead of him and is a valuable member of our team."

Stephen said: "The ACCA qualification and training I have received at KPMG will give me lots of options for my career. In the short term I'll be focusing on completing my training, with three more exams to go before I qualify."

ACCA deputy president John Brace, who presented Stephen with his award, said: "I was very impressed by the very high standards which Stephen achieved."