Too sexy for provinces?
I refer to your article on the long hours being worked by some young accountants, particularly those in London.
We are a provincial firm with a diverse portfolio. We positively discourage long hours. As a practice we understand there is more to life than work.
When people are tired they make mistakes. This is bad for the client and the practice. We have very little illness within the firm and our staff turnover is low. We pay staff well, give them quality training and are generous with holidays.
We make less profit than many firms but our quality of life is excellent.
In spite of all this we find it difficult to recruit young qualified accountants.
Maybe the provinces are not ‘sexy’ enough for the young or is it that working long hours gives them a sense of worth?
Bob McTear, Humphrey & Co, Eastbourne.