Degree qualifications not cutting it in accounting

Speaking with Accountants Daily, My Accounts founder Simon Allsop said that while university qualifications are necessary, employees’ passion and creativity can be more important when it comes to advisory work.

“Accounting and bookkeeping isn't rocket science so you don't need a huge list of degrees to be able to do it well and in fact I think that over complicates the situation,” Mr Allsop said.

“If you get the people that actually have the right culture, have the right values, and are passionate about helping small businesses, the small business owners can feel the difference in services being provided and that's something that can't be replicated or taken away.”

Mr Allsop said when he founded My Accounts the hiring strategy was focused on cadetships for university graduates, but quickly evolved.

“Small businesses are organic, they've always got a different character or personality that's inside the small business, so having someone who understands the why in what we're delivering is much more important than someone that has all the technical capability and can follow a checklist,” he said.

“The last couple of people that we're hired are people that haven't had university degrees but are absolutely passionate about small business and they've been absolute stars so I think we'll probably continue down that path for that type of role.”

*Editor’s note: Since time of interview in December, Mr Allsop has parted ways with MyAccounts. 

Degree qualifications not cutting it in accounting

Lara Bullock

Last Updated: 04 January 2017 Published: 29 December 2016