Training attracts talent and builds employer brand

Noelia Scheuschner: In my opinion, training allows people to enhance their talent. It helps them to achieve their professional goals, opens doors to new opportunities and prepares the ground to take on these challenges.

On the other hand, from an organisational point of view, I consider that training is a key piece for the growth of the company because it positions it competitively in the face of emerging businesses. Not only for the company to maintain its leadership in the market, but also to distinguish from the competition and provide added value to customers and motivation to employees.

NS: This new generation of accountants are challenged, now and for the next few years, to be trained in sustainability issues as a technical skill; they will be turning into consultants on these topics and acquiring digital transformation skills as well.

The role of the accountant in organisations is key due to their comprehensive knowledge of the business. In this sense, it is essential that they develop a global vision that goes beyond the accounting approach.

Accounting professionals must be able to guarantee that sustainability reports include the necessary characteristics to be considered financial statements. Training in sustainability, in addition to generating new business opportunities, contributes to the future development of the profession, in a rapidly changing context.

NS: Absolutely. Training is a very important aspect not only for attracting but also for retaining talent. Having a training plan is a key element that contributes to the reputational image of the employer brand.

A company in which training is considered relevant opens doors, enables employees to progress in their professional career and to assume greater responsibility. This, without a doubt, increases commitment to the organisation.

At SMS Latinoamérica, training is part of our DNA. It crosses all the areas in a planned way but also giving space for emergent content.

NS: It has proven to be a great challenge, due to the growth that our Business School has witnessed over a very short time. I think that being clear about why and how, makes it possible for us to move forward steadily.

The commitment of the team with which we carried out this project made it possible for us to achieve many objectives in a short time. Some of them were goals that we initially set for ourselves, and others emerged along the way. In this sense, flexibility was key and the motivation.

Technology, digitisation, and adaptation to new ways of working, new study methodologies, and new challenges have strengthened a project that manages to satisfy the needs of people and companies throughout the region, and that empowers and makes us feel proud.

NS: On the training of professional staff, HR is our business partner. We maintain constant interaction and communication because we work together in the creation of learning plans and in the continuous development of the professional staff of the practice areas of each firm.

These plans fully encompass technical training, leadership skills and personal development skills for each professional level. The focus is on professionals who acquire the necessary tools to accompany their growth within the organisation, as well as those issues that the market requires from accounting professionals in order to maintain the quality of the services they provide.

On the other hand, when we train clients, our focus is on asking and understanding their specific needs to help them achieve their goals. We concentrate on the target that is aimed at training, prioritizing quality, and close customer service. Focusing on these aspects allows us to provide excellent care and guarantee they choose us again in the future.

NS: Currently, we are in the process of growth in this sense, working so that the SMS Business School becomes a training unit in all the countries of the region, endorsing certificates with the Institutes and professionals.

In the first instance, we analyse how the institutes of each country manage the Continuing Professional Development plans, as well as the requirements that we need to be an official trainer.

Once this step is formalized, we manage the recognition of the credits for training of all the members who were trained each year with the School. We align ourselves with the processes of each institute and with the quality required by international benchmarks in accounting education.

We are in constant communication and monitoring of the best opportunities and proposals to work as a team and offer quality content and professionalism throughout the region together with all the allies that accompany us in making it possible.