We’re thrilled to be celebrating after being chosen as finalists in the Employer of the Year category for this years’ Accounting Excellence Awards. These prestigious awards cover the entire UK, so we’re delighted to have made the final six, part of an incredible group of forward thinking accountancy firms.
Gooding Accounts commitment to training and development shone through in creating a motivated team, who are fully equipped to deliver exceptional service. The firms’ strong team ethic and employee support also led the judges to place us in the top six small accountancy employers in the whole of the UK.
We’re looking forward to joining accounting professionals in London to celebrate the sector and Gooding Accounts’ success!
The firm demonstrates outstanding commitment to nurturing local talent, welcoming two apprentices in the last 12 months who are now being mentored through Gooding Accounts’ internal training programme. The practice continues to empower its’ team to achieve results, both now and in the future, by investing heavily in training and development, with marketing, administration and leadership CPD available alongside traditional accountancy qualifications. Our training manager, Sam Bates, initially entered the practice as an apprentice, and now leads the training function, ensuring that all members of the team keep up to date and focused on achieving their professional goals.
Gooding Accounts is passionate about providing school and university leavers with a focused career ladder through AAT and ICAEW training; in doing so, leadership qualities are often identified that help futureproof the practice’s leadership team and wider growth goals. Pathways to progression are clear across the firm with the opportunity of promotion within and across pods from second-in-command to pod leader available to all employees.
The entire team is transparently included in business performance discussions during monthly practice meetings. These are always held in-person, bringing the whole team together from across the three locations to aid the feeling of internal belonging and help with building and maintaining internal relationships: especially important as the firm continues to grow. Quarterly team-building days complement these monthly meetings, to create a heightened sense of cultural belonging, but also helping to develop more rounded skillsets internally.
Team members are encouraged to live the practice’s values and to: be present (maintaining a positive attitude and open to change); challenge themselves (testing personal capabilities and bringing solutions); be thoughtful (be friendly, approachable and respectful of others) and to be a team (committed to team goals and giving and receiving feedback). These values are boldly displayed on the practice’s walls, daily reinforcing the business’ goal to be a breath of fresh air in the accountancy sector. Employees commitment to the Values is rewarded by a peer-to-peer reward system where gifts are given to those who go above and beyond.
Gooding Accounts senior team fully recognise that team members have lives, commitments and personal challenges away from the workplace and part-time and flexible working arrangements are openly encouraged by the firm in order to achieve the strongest, most inclusive team possible. 44% of the team currently work part-time hours to suit their needs; vital in attracting and retaining talent across all roles in the business.
The team’s commitment to Sam Gooding’s vision to celebrate 10 years in practice by raising at least £50,000 has been clearly evidenced. Events organised by the firm are never short of volunteers to help, alongside this the team have embraced a range of personal challenges, supporting each other as they push themselves to raise funds for charities close to their hearts.
Whether talking to one of the young apprentices, a more senior member of the team or Sam Gooding himself, you are blown away by the willingness to help, guide and support – whether that’s each other, their clients or local clubs and charities.
They work together, play together and dream big together.
Our friendly and helpful approach to accountancy, ensures that you understand and are in tune with your finances. Our committed team will communicate with you every step of the way so that you understand the position of your financial affairs – get in touch today.
