Helping hand for older accountants seeking work

A website dedicated to finding work for older accountancy professionals has signed up more than 100 job-seekers following the publication of an article on ageism in the workplace in Accountancy Age.

Martin Lloyd-Penny, 53, an FCA with many years' business experience was made redundant last year and, for the first time in his life, found it difficult to find employment.

When he saw the article in Accountancy Age Gone to Seed (page 17, 4 August, 2005) he decided to things into his own hands and formed www.matureaccountants.com with the motto: Experience + Expertise = Better Value.

Then, in a letter published in Accountancy Age on 25 August, 2005 he thanked us for the inspiration for the site, and since its publication, more than 100 professionals have responded. He has now begun finding a number of job opportunities for them.

Penny said he was amazed at the reaction: 'I have been amazed and dismayed at the number of “older” accountants who cannot find work in the UK once they get to a certain age. You would not believe the range of experience and expertise that these people possess, and in many cases that is going to waste.

'Some experienced ageism as young as 35, and once you get to 50 it’s getting increasingly difficult to compete in the marketplace.'

Penny says his site is designed to provide a recruitment database of mature accountants looking for new challenges; market that database to employers across the UK; demonstrate the benefits of working with mature and experienced accountants from all sectors and backgrounds; and offer employers the lowest recruitment fees in the UK (10%) and lower-than-average salary costs that reflect the life-cycle needs of the over 45's.

He says he also aims to work closely with the Institutes to market his services, and generally increase awareness of ageism in the workplace and help change attitudes.
'What started off as a bit of fun is developing into a serious business venture,' he said.

For more information, go to: http://www.matureaccountants.com