Harper May | Knowledge Hub | UK Accounting Recruitment Agency

Happy 120th Birthday, ACCA! Founded in 1904, ACCA has grown to 252,500 members and 526,000 students globally. With its first all-female leadership team, ACCA continues transforming lives through inclusion, innovation, and a commitment to the public good.

CFOs must address the talent crunch by exploring alternative hiring pools, investing in upskilling teams, and adopting AI to handle routine tasks. Strategic training and co-sourcing can help finance professionals focus on high-value activities, enhancing business performance.

Only 20% of businesses are prepared for climate-related disasters due to inadequate risk identification, lack of resilience mechanisms, minimal investment in climate adaptation, and limited scenario planning. CFOs and finance teams are pivotal in driving necessary change.

The UK accountancy sector faces a talent crisis, with 57.1% blaming stereotypes for declining enrollment. Challenges include high education costs, lengthy qualifications, and limited diversity. Technological, tax, and interpersonal skills will shape future accountants' success, per FreeAgent research.

Attracting passive candidates requires a strong employer brand, personalised engagement, and tailored opportunities. Leverage professional networks, nurture talent pipelines, and utilise recruitment marketing. Offer flexibility, wellness benefits, and partner with specialist agencies to secure top talent discreetly and effectively.

The AccountingWEB community debated whether accountants should charge for ad hoc advice. Most advocated including quick questions in annual fees to maintain client relationships, while some suggested charging for extensive queries or adopting tiered service models for fairness and clarity.