ACCA Unveils Toolkit to Combat Talent Shortage in SME Accounting Firms

Small and medium-sized accounting practices (SMPs) are contending with significant talent shortages and a rapidly evolving professional landscape, prompting the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to launch a new global initiative aimed at bolstering workforce management. The accounting body introduced its SMP Talent Management Toolkit on June 9 to help firms improve their recruitment, skills development, and employee retention strategies.

The launch precedes the United Nations' Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day on June 27 and forms part of a global ACCA campaign focused on talent within the vital SMP sector. The initiative addresses mounting pressures on accounting firms as they adapt to technological disruption, including AI and automation, alongside heightened client expectations and the changing career aspirations of younger professionals entering the industry.

The toolkit is informed by ACCA's comprehensive Global Talent Trends 2026 survey, which collected data from 11,389 finance and accountancy professionals across 160 countries. It also incorporates direct insights from practitioners in small and mid-sized firms globally. A key finding from the survey suggests that smaller practices are naturally positioned to offer the qualities many professionals now seek, such as meaningful work, broad experience, direct client relationships, and a tangible impact.

ACCA emphasized that the capacity to attract and cultivate talent is crucial for smaller firms navigating a dynamic business environment. "The accountancy profession plays a central role in the health and resilience of the small- and medium-sized enterprise sector," said Aleksandra Zaronina-Kirillova, head of SME professional insights at ACCA. "The practitioners joining firms today will be the trusted advisers of tomorrow's small businesses, and how we develop talent now determines what becomes possible for the profession, and for the businesses and communities it serves."

To provide targeted support, the toolkit is divided into two complementary publications. The first is designed for practice leaders, offering guidance throughout the talent management cycle from recruitment to retention. It features practical recommendations, frameworks for learning and skills, specific advice on upskilling for AI, and shares experiences through case studies from firms in Malaysia, Singapore, Ireland, and Sri Lanka.

The second publication targets prospective employees, including school-leavers, graduates, career changers, and experienced professionals considering a move to a smaller practice. It highlights career development pathways within SMPs and offers practical advice based on ACCA's Career Paths Reimagined 2026 research. Both resources feature video case studies from professionals and practice leaders in Malaysia, Singapore, Ireland, South Africa, and the UK.

As a follow-up to the launch, ACCA will host a webinar on June 30 to discuss skills shortages in the SMP sector. The event will explore effective recruitment strategies, onboarding processes, workplace learning, and mentorship programs designed to strengthen the talent pipeline for smaller firms.