Widening access is key to solving accountancy’s talent shortage

About the role

The accountancy profession is facing growing scrutiny over its ability to attract and retain talent, while demand for high-quality advice continues to rise. Firms are adapting their programmes to reflect shifting expectations, from clients who demand deeper insight and from employees who seek more purpose, flexibility and development. This includes evolving training models and placing greater emphasis on the broader skills that underpin long-term success. Early careers have a particularly important role to play, as the foundations built in those first few years have a lasting impact on technical capability, confidence, career progression and long-term engagement with the profession.

Responsibilities

• Combine technical knowledge with broader human skills including judgement, communication, ethical decision-making, and the ability to build and sustain trusted relationships with clients and colleagues
• Deliver value by applying strong judgement and advisory skills alongside technical expertise, as AI plays a key role in day-to-day tasks
• Build confidence, curiosity and adaptability alongside professional expertise
• Develop relationship skills early to build trust, collaborate effectively and contribute to strong, lasting client relationships

Qualifications

• Ability to combine strong technical foundations with broader capabilities such as communication, ethics and adaptability
• Capability to build and sustain trusted relationships with clients and colleagues
• Strong judgement and ethical decision-making skills

Skills

• Technical expertise in accountancy
• Strong judgement
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Ethical decision-making
• Ability to build and sustain trusted client and colleague relationships
• Confidence, curiosity and adaptability
• Collaboration and relationship-building