There are a number of ways to attract and retain talented staff. Competitive salaries, good benefits packages and flexibility are all musts in today’s competitive jobs market. Developing employees has many advantages for firms and staff alike. From increased job satisfaction and loyalty to improved skills, better performance and greater retention rates, continued learning benefits everyone involved and the earlier it begins the better. Here we look at some of the benefits of early employee training.
1. Enhancing employee skills for long-term success
Regular trainee accountant training empowers employees to enhance their skills and perform their roles with greater proficiency. Whether it is professional development, industry knowledge or other essential workplace skills, ongoing learning allows teams to respond effectively in various situations.
Learning should be encouraged across all levels of a business and that should start as early as possible after an employee has been recruited.
A proactive approach boosts employee confidence and fosters a safer and more prepared working environment.
Industries constantly evolve and keeping your team informed is crucial to staying relevant. Regular learning opportunities help employees stay ahead of the curve, allowing them to quickly adapt to technological changes, regulations or market demands.
2. Increased employee performance
Organisations that invest time and money into professional development see a significant return on their investment. Research has shown that companies with an effective learning strategy are more than twice as likely to achieve their production goals.
It is vital that employees have access to learning and development to keep knowledge up to date, other skills or attributes lose their impact. Professional qualifications provided by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) help keep workers on top of the latest regulatory changes and best practice. The sooner the new employee is given the tools to succeed and immersed in the company’s culture the greater the chance they will make a positive long-term contribution.
3. It increases retention
Emphasising professional development sends a clear message that your company cares about its employees’ futures. Moreover, it considers those employees an important part of the company’s future as well. Continued professional development enables workers to see themselves in the company’s long-term vision and values. Loyalty grows out of this shared expectation of a mutually beneficial future - and loyal employees don’t leave.
4. An early start allows learning pathways to develop
Workplace tax training for trainees should be more than a collection of courses and knowledge base resources that exist independently. While workers can benefit from having access to task-focused training components that help them work efficiently and productively, they should also have individual learning pathways.
Learning pathways are curated and personalised training programmes for each worker. They should align with each worker’s current skills and career goals. There is no better time to start this process than at the beginning of someone’s employment.
Additionally, this approach to corporate training lends itself very well to self-directed learning. Workers can participate in creating their accounting pathway training for trainees, which gives them a sense of agency and motivation. Encourage them to communicate their goals and complete assessments that provide insights into their capabilities.
5. Alignment with organisational goals
When an organisation builds a training initiative and makes access to knowledge a priority, it communicates its values and priorities. Employees know that their employer values professional development and growth, remaining competitive and adapting well to change.
Knowledge and experience
Induction Week is a series of courses grouped together into a single programme that provides your new trainees with the practical training they need in their new roles. Delivered as tutor-led virtual classrooms, your trainees will benefit from the expert knowledge of our professional lecturers.
Our award-winning Early Careers Training Programme supports your professional development. The athe gap between the theory of the professional exams and the practical knowledge and skills trainees need to be successful in their role.
Below we have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions.
- What does the Early Careers Programme cover for trainee accountants?
Mercia’s Early Careers Programme covers accounting, auditing, tax and developing professional skills for trainee accountants. The programme’s format is blended and flexible and spans three years.
- Is there a dedicated accounting pathway for trainees just starting out?
Years one to three of the Accounting Pathway assists trainees starting their accounting career. From bookkeeping through to more complex areas, the Accounting Pathway’s live-streamed case studies help trainees develop their skills and get to grips with the accountancy basics.
- Does the programme include audit training for trainees?
The Early Careers Programme covers audit training for trainees within the Audit Skills Pathway. This takes an on-demand, e-learning format with a focus on regulatory issues.
- What tax training is available for trainees?
- The Tax Pathway, which covers VAT, PAYE, National Insurance (NI), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Corporation Tax and Inheritance Tax, supplies tax training for tr Modules can be selected to complement the learner’s studies.
- Is this an early careers accountancy training programme or a one-off course?
Mercia’s Early Careers Programme is a three-year, structured programme with progression in-built as opposed to standalone courses.
- Can firms tailor the programme for each trainee?
The Programme can be tailored to suit each trainee’s requirements. The on-demand and live-streamed features provide learners with multiple options.
- How does Mercia's Early Careers Digital Membership work?
The Digital Membership provides trainees with unlimited access to the Early Careers Programme for an annual fee per person. All live-streamed and on-demand courses are included, alongside the Regulatory Training series, mental health and wellbeing training and verifiable training records.
- At what stage of their career should trainees start the programme?
The Early Careers Programme is designed for trainee accountants starting out in their accounting career. Year one modules cover the key aspects of accountancy, and progression is built in year-on-year.