A new training academy has been launched by MHA, the UK-wide group of accountancy and business advisory firms, to provide training for 2,200 staff from its UK member firms.
The initiative will provide training materials and courses for staff, including professional accountancy qualifications, soft skills such as mentoring, diversity and coaching, and access to national and international learning materials.
Rakesh Shaunak Chairman of MHA commented: “Our profession continues to change and it is vital that we remain at the forefront of its evolution. A clear example of this is adapting our training programmes to embrace the changes and meet the needs of our staff and clients.
“Developing a National Training Academy is a milestone for MHA as we want all our staff to have the opportunity to receive the same high standard of award-winning training no matter where they are based in the UK.”
Jane Walker-Smith, head of human resources at MHA said: “The National Training Academy is the first of several initiatives we are creating reflecting the fact we are one aligned national and international brand and we want our staff to experience the spirit of MHA from the moment they walk through the door.”
To accommodate an increasing emphasis on flexible working arrangement in the profession, and across the MHA network, many of the new training courses can be complete via a dedicated e-learning platform.
The academy will also enable staff to contribute to group-wide thought leadership activities, and a learning support network that covers the range of sectors and specialisms that MHA provides for its clients.
“As the working world is adapting to be more flexible, we have enhanced our training programme to better suit a range of employee needs,” said Ms Walker-Smith. “We now provide a range of face to face and e-learning solutions to enable their learning to fit their schedule and commitments.”
The academy saw 117 new trainee accountants attend it’s launch even, which was MHA’s first national student induction. It aims to establish the foundations for their career development by providing an introduction to the cultural and technical elements of the professional services environment, while offering them a networking opportunity with their peers and other member companies.
MHA is an independent member of Baker Tilly International. It has eight member firms and over 50 offices worldwide, with 179 partners and over 2,200 staff.