Junior accountants 'want more opportunities'

A mixture of providing more opportunities, a clearer progression up the career ladder and further job security could help accountancy practices retain employees, it has been claimed.

Tony Sinclair, a staff partner at French Duncan chartered accountants, told the Herald that there are now "two or three vacancies for each newly-qualified practitioner" in the field.

He suggested that mid-sized and larger firms - which have more difficulties with retention - could make more effort to keep their most talented employees by providing more "action" within the companies.

Increasing the range of experience available for junior staff in accountancy jobs and providing a variety of specialisms can work towards this end, he added.

"It is vitally important to make clear to people what road they are likely to travel if they remain within the firm," said Mr Sinclair.

Recent research from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales revealed that chartered accountants in the south-east earn an average of £81,000.