Green and Co launches ‘first-of-its-kind’ partner program

Cwmbran-based accounting firm Green and Co has launched a “first-of-its-kind” partner programme that gives senior accountants the support they need to become partners.

The programme is a three-year partner apprenticeship that gives accountants an opportunity to become business leaders.

Those accepted will go through everything they need to achieve partnership status including the training, experience and ethos of the company, as they shadow the current partners and build their confidence and understanding of the role.

The move is a response to the challenges the wider industry faces in attracting and retaining financial staff, particularly in senior positions.

The Financial Services Skills Commission (FSSC) revealed that 92% of its member firms were struggling to fill some vacancies, with 42% saying this was due to difficulties sourcing talent.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that in June 2022 the industry had more than five unfilled vacancies for every 100 jobs – the highest since records began.

According to Green and Co, the program will guide potential partners into the senior role, addressing industry concerns such as the importance of work-life balance as a partner.

Applicants need to have an ACCA/ICAEW qualification and two-three years post-qualification experience to apply.

Scott Harris, director at Green and Co, said: “We’re not aware of any other firm of our type that has a program like this in place. The business is growing strongly and we are now keen to grow our partnership team in order to take on more clients.

“However, it’s a delicate fit to find the right person with the skills and experience for the role but who also matches the ethos and culture of our company. Combined with the challenges the wider industry faces in access to talent, more traditional methods of recruitment have not been working.”

Harris added: “We’ve created a program which will address some of these issues, but also demystify the role and support candidates over a number of years. At the end of the program, the new Partners will have already started to build their own book of clients and will have established their preferred way of working.

“The industry is changing rapidly, both as technology and regulation develop, and in the way people want to work. As an award-winning firm, we have always been at the forefront of the industry, both by developing new services, technology and systems, and focussing on work-life balance.”