Editor's note

For the past couple of months The Accountant has been working on its 150th Anniversary edition. This means we have had plenty of time to reflect on our archives and the changing nature of the accountancy profession. One thing that has been consistent for many years, however, has been the need for quality education, led by professional training providers. Many of the adverts in our old editions pertain to various professional bodies and firms offering professional qualifications. The need for well-trained staff is not new by any means.  

However, the current professional landscape has been going through large scale changes in the last few years. The Covid-19 pandemic meant we had to pivot from a solitary, working from home environment. While this has had many benefits, it is not a secret that people are concerned about the lack of shadowing that is now taking place in the workplace. Employees are not learning skills from those with more experience in the same way and, for younger people just entering the workforce, this has been the norm. There is now greater demand for flexibility when it comes to learning and developing, and employees must adapt to stay competitive and to ensure that they have a well-trained workforce.  

In this issue, along with our partners, we will be looking at how employers can set out clear career goals and how they can help their staff to achieve these aspirations. We will also learn how methods of education are changing, and how the current workforce will be future-ready in an everchanging profession.