How to Position Your Accountancy Practice as a Leading Employer
18 Jun, 20251-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- How to position your accountancy practice as a leading employer.
- What advantages leading employers have over other employers.
- More about our accountancy recruitment services to help you recruit for your practice.
In today’s competitive job market, top talent are looking for purpose, culture, and a place to grow. While salary is also a leading motivator, it’s not the only factor which professionals are weighing up when considering employment opportunities.
When it comes to positioning your accountancy practice as a great employer, it’s important that you embrace your uniqueness and leverage your distinct values and strengths to stand out in a competitive market.
Even if you’re a small business or an up and coming practice, having a strategy in place to position your business as a top employer is crucial.
From embracing technology to advocating for better diversity within the accountancy sector, discover how to position your accountancy practice as a leading employer.
What is a ‘leading’ or ‘top’ employer?
A ‘leading’ or ‘top’ employer can be defined by an accountancy practice's ability to offer a combination of perks, benefits and career opportunities, as well as offering a positive work environment.
Being a top employer means a practice is not only attracting high-quality talent but also retaining them - usually due to a strong reputation for treating employees well, offering continuous learning and development, and creating a positive workplace culture.
How to position your accountancy practice as a leading employer
Ways to position your accountancy practice as a leading employer, include:
- Empowering women in accountancy.
- Leading the way on diversity and inclusivity.
- Establishing your brand.
- Offering continuous learning and development opportunities.
- Establishing initiatives that have an impact.
Empowering women in accountancy
Women in accountancy roles are driving change and accountancy practices should be promoting the importance of gender equality. Leading employers are increasingly recognising the importance of female accountancy professionals and focusing on implementing initiatives to empower women in the workplace.
According to the FTSE Women Leaders Review, women now occupy 43% of roles on company boards across the Financial Times Stock Exchange companies, up slightly from 34.5% in 2023.
With an increase in the number of female accountancy and finance professionals, it’s important that employers ensure women are central to their talent strategies, helping to position a practice as a forward-thinking and inclusive leader in the profession.
In a survey by Spencer Clarke Group, one female accountancy professional emphasised the importance of, ‘Empowering women, having recognition programmes and a good support system’ as key to achieving fairer representation and better diversity.
With women in accountancy looking to expand their knowledge and expertise, adopting a growth culture is vital and contributes to a more diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
You can position your accountancy practice as a leading employer and compete with the best by providing more opportunities for women and establishing where you stand on equal pay, flexible work arrangements and women in leadership roles. This demonstrates that you are passionate about all of your employees' futures and embracing movements that are important in the modern world.
Through strong female representation and with more women in leadership roles, accountancy practices can become leading employers with good intentions and strategies to address diversity.
Leading the way on diversity and inclusivity
Accountancy practices have a responsibility to ensure they are leading by example and those that go above and beyond in their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion set themselves apart from others.
It’s not just about empowering women in the accountancy sector and overcoming barriers to equality, it’s essential to consider what your practice can do to improve and prioritise inclusivity in all areas.
In 2024, ACCA Global found that almost two-thirds of UK finance professionals rated diversity and inclusivity as a key factor when choosing an organisation to work for. The 2025 ACCA Global report revealed that 45% of accountancy professionals say their organisation focuses more on certain aspects of diversity than others.
Whether it's age, ethnicity, sexuality or neurodiversity, it’s important that workplaces provide equal opportunities for all employees to thrive.
Accountancy practices that embrace the values of all employees and prioritise inclusive practices are better positioned to foster a supportive and high-performing culture. This includes everything from neurodiversity-friendly workplace design and racial equity programmes to accessible career pathways and support for different working styles and life stages.
Your practice's commitment to diversity and inclusion can position you as an ideal employer that focuses on improving employee experience and creating a high performing, inclusive environment. Not only can this position you as a better employer, but it also gives you access to high-quality talent who have been previously overlooked due to bias or lack of inclusive practices.
Broadening your talent pool can strengthen team performance and demonstrates to candidates and clients that your practice attracts and retains the best talent who deliver the best services, regardless of background, identity or personal circumstances.
Establishing your brand
Positioning yourself as a leading employer involves building a strong employer brand and establishing your Unique Selling Point. You want your practice to stand out from others and ensure that you are seen as competition and that means effectively establishing your employee brand.
Having a strong brand identity is crucial to attracting and retaining top talent, as well as driving your purpose, passion and beliefs. A strong employer brand can also lead to increased customer loyalty and greater confidence in your practice.
Within your employer brand, reflect your practices ongoing efforts to be inclusive, empowering and supportive of employees as these are all characteristics of a leading employer.
Offering continuous learning and development opportunities
Effective leading employers are expected to engage with their workforce to understand the challenges their employees face, from economic pressures and job market shifts to changing workplace expectations and evolving career goals.
According to ACCA Global, the cost of living crisis is the main concern facing accountancy professionals with 41% expecting a pay rise over the next 12 months. The report also found that half of respondents are concerned they’re not developing the skills required for the future workplace and fewer than 32% say their organisation is providing opportunities to learn AI-related skills.
With the reliance on technology and Artificial Intelligence, financial pressures and the cost of living crisis, employees are looking to develop their technological skills to strengthen their job security and increase their income as a means of ensuring long-term employability and stability.
Practices can benefit from embracing technology and utilising AI to automate tasks, upskill employees and demonstrate that your practice embraces trends and offers continuous career development and learning opportunities.
Committing to employee well-being and growth and fostering a supportive work environment can position your practice as a leading employer that addresses employee concerns.
By offering mentorship programmes, launching meaningful initiatives and creating a culture where all individuals feel challenged and empowered to grow, your practice can build a resilient, future-ready workforce.
Establishing initiatives that have an impact
The distinction of being a leading employer compared to other employers goes beyond promising benefits, a good salary and a diverse company culture.
Being an advocate for change, growth or equality is easier said than done, but actually establishing initiatives that support your company's values is crucial. It’s important to ensure you are doing more than just talking about your practice and that your team is actively engaged in making meaningful changes and paving the way.
Positioning yourself as a leading employer means committing to creating and sustaining a great workplace where employees can genuinely thrive beyond the confines of a job title. Being enthusiastic and practical about wellbeing, sustainability or collaboration for example, is about establishing practical initiatives and strategies that address and eliminate issues.
For example, if employees are looking for more flexibility, instilling a hybrid working scheme to accommodate those needs is a practical and actionable way to address their concern. It also demonstrates to employees that your practice is willing to evolve and adapt to build the kind of workplace that accountancy professionals want to work for.
Provide evidence of your progress to establish your reputation as a leading employer in accountancy, that has built their success on measurable initiatives. This will demonstrate your impact and long-term commitment to your employees.
Discover what Accountancy & Finance professionals are looking for in a job
As a specialist accountancy and finance recruitment agency, we understand how to support accountancy practices and private sector businesses in their mission to attract, engage and retain the best talent.
After conducting extensive research with accountancy and finance professionals, we compiled the What Accountancy & Finance Professionals Are Really Looking for in a Job in 2025 report.
The report delves into the key factors shaping job preferences and expectations within the industry and uncovers topics such as preferred salary, perks, benefits, work flexibility and work culture.
Read the full What Accountancy & Finance Professionals Are Really Looking for in a Job in 2025 report here.
Accountancy recruitment services
As specialist accountancy recruiters, we support practices nationwide with their permanent recruitment needs.
Whether you’re searching for a tax, audit or payroll specialist, we will help you to find whoever you need to make your practice thrive.
If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, why not get in touch with Management Consultant Lauren Fisher on 01772 954200 to see how we can help?
Accountancy jobs
If you’re searching for your next accountancy job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Meet Lauren Fisher
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations.
In 2024, we were named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the prestigious Recruiter Awards, an accolade we are extremely proud of.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
