Winning awards can often mean just another trophy in the cabinet to say that you have worked hard and have efficient staff doing a good job.
In the world of accountancy though, award schemes are far more complicated and essential for gauging performance on so many different levels.
For example, Whitley Stimpson takes great pride in consistently appearing in the Accountancy Age 50+50 rankings, the UK’s most comprehensive breakdown of accountancy sector performance.
To achieve the national honour, Whitley Stimpson’s revenue and growth are measured against accounting firms throughout the country and this year saw the firm’s fee income grow by five per cent putting it in 86th place in the top 100 UK companies, four places higher than 2018.
This is no mean feat considering the unstable political and business climate which is creating so much uncertainty along with complex compliance and technological challenges.
And, of course, it is a yardstick for the success of the local economy reflected through Whitley Stimpson’s offices in Banbury, Bicester, High Wycombe and Witney.
A firm can only be as good as its staff, so Whitley Stimpson invests heavily in training and development to ensure its employees deliver the best service possible to clients.
This has been reflected in it being shortlisted as one of the accredited Top 10 Best Employers in the 2019 Accountancy Age Awards. It followed a rigorous research process, which included a detailed employee survey, carried out independently by Best Companies Group, the research firm behind ‘70+ Best Places to Work’ programmes worldwide.
The business made the top five in the Accounting Excellence Investors in People award and an employee has been awarded first place in Corporate Reporting for the Thames Valley area and fifth in the Thames Valley Advanced Stage Order of Merit 2018.
Meanwhile, the payroll team was named as a finalist in two Reward Strategy Awards 2019 for Service Provider Team Award and Leaders Within the Knowledge and Professional Services.
An apprentice has been shortlisted for the Next Generation Award, put forward by her apprenticeship provider and the firm’s Service Charge Accounting team has been shortlisted as Service Provider of the Year in the 2019 Property Management Awards.
Managing director Jonathan Walton said:
“Award schemes are not just about having a pat on the back and moving on – they are an important part of our business and a continual reflection of our performance as a firm and specifically as employers.
“We take our role as employers very seriously, not only creating the most rewarding environment we can to work in, but also taking great pride in the continuous development and training of our staff.
“As a result, our achievements come down to a team effort with staff contributing directly to the firm’s direction as they themselves develop and progress. We continue to maintain our position by providing excellent client service and retaining the very best talent in the industry.
“National rankings acknowledge our work for a wide variety of private and business clients and it’s thanks to our clients and colleagues that we continue to be a leading independent accounting firm.”
To speak to one of Whitley Stimpson’s accountancy experts, please call 01295 270200.