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Audit approach overview
Our audit approach will allow our client's accounting personnel to make the maximum contribution to…
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Annual and short period audit
At P&A Grant Thornton, we provide annual and short period financial statement audit services that go…
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Review engagement
A review involves limited investigation with a narrower scope than an audit, and is undertaken…
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Other Related Services
We make it a point to keep our clients abreast of the developments and updates relating to the…
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Tax advisory
With our knowledge of tax laws and audit procedures, we help safeguard the substantive and procedural…
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Tax compliance
We aim to minimize the impact of taxation, enabling you to maximize your potential savings and to…
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Corporate services
For clients that want to do business in the Philippines, we assist in determining the appropriate and…
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Tax education and advocacy
Our advocacy work focuses on clarifying the interpretation of laws and regulations, suggesting…
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Business risk services
Our business risk services cover a wide range of solutions that assist you in identifying, addressing and…
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Business consulting services
Our business consulting services are aimed at addressing concerns in your operations, processes and…
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Transaction services
Transaction advisory includes all of our services specifically directed at assisting in investment, mergers…
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Forensic advisory
Our forensic advisory services include assessing your vulnerability to fraud and identifying fraud risk…
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Cyber advisory
Our focus is to help you identify and manage the cyber risks you might be facing within your…
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ProActive Hotline
Providing support in preventing and detecting fraud by creating a safe and secure whistleblowing system…
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Accounting services
At P&A Grant Thornton, we handle accounting services for several companies from a wide range of…
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Staff augmentation services
We offer Staff Augmentation services where our staff, under the direction and supervision of the company’s…
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Payroll Processing
Payroll processing services are provided by P&A Grant Thornton Outsourcing Inc. More and more…
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Our values
Grant Thornton prides itself on being a values-driven organisation and we have more than 38,500 people in…
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Global culture
Our people tell us that our global culture is one of the biggest attractions of a career with Grant…
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Learning & development
At Grant Thornton we believe learning and development opportunities allow you to perform…
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Global talent mobility
One of the biggest attractions of a career with Grant Thornton is the opportunity to work on…
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Diversity
Diversity helps us meet the demands of a changing world. We value the fact that our people come from all…
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In the community
Many Grant Thornton member firms provide a range of inspirational and generous services to the…
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Behind the Numbers: People of P&A Grant Thornton
Discover the inspiring stories of the individuals who make up our vibrant community. From seasoned…
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Fresh Graduates
Fresh Graduates
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Students
Whether you are starting your career as a graduate or school leaver, P&A Grant Thornton can give you a…
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Experienced hires
P&A Grant Thornton offers something you can't find anywhere else. This is the opportunity to develop your…
In the ever-evolving landscape of business, accountants have often been confined to the stereotype of being solely data-driven professionals obsessed with numbers. However, as the demands of the profession shift, so does the accountant's role. Today, they are indispensable advisors, requiring a comprehensive skill set that transcends numerical expertise to include vital human (soft) skills. Bridging this gap mandates a commitment to ongoing education and development.
Within our Firm's Knowledge Management Group (KMG), I have the privilege of spearheading initiatives aimed at enriching our accountants and colleagues with essential human skills. Through meticulously crafted programs that marry technical proficiency with crucial human proficiencies such as communication and collaboration, our goal is to foster a culture of adaptability and excellence, populated by professionals adept in multiple dimensions of expertise.
Crafting Well-Rounded Professionals
Despite the misconception that certain skills are intangible or innate, I passionately believe that honing human skills requires deliberate practice. The challenge lies in translating this belief into action, particularly within a corporate context like an accounting firm.
Recently, I had the opportunity to engage in a seminar hosted by the National Association of Certified Public Accountants in Education (NACPAE), centered on Outcome-Based Education (OBE). The principles discussed resonated deeply with our firm's ethos. OBE underscores the significance of clearly defined learning objectives, dovetailing seamlessly with our aim of bridging the gap between technical and human skills in a measurable manner. Embracing OBE allows us to establish clear objectives and tailor our programs accordingly from inception.
In a thought-provoking Forbes article titled “Fixing Skills Gaps and Revamping the Six Stages of The Training Cycle,” author Samir Hassan examined the following stages of the training process:
- Building and Mapping Competencies
- Assigning Courses
- Skills Benchmarking
- Results Evaluation
- Matching Outcomes to Competencies
- Return on Investment (ROI) Assessment
While these stages traditionally emphasize technical skills, integrating human skills into each stage remains an ongoing challenge. For instance, assessing intangible values like empathy in benchmarking or determining the ROI on such attributes can be intricate. Hence, a holistic application of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) is indispensable. Incorporating OBE into performance management systems, training programs, and client evaluations enables a comprehensive assessment and ensures the holistic development of human skills.
Our people development approach is anchored in the learning domains of Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA), translated into competencies resulting in excellent job performance. This is alongside the utilization of experiential, social, and formal learning. We ensure that we nurture not only proficient accountants but also well-rounded professionals.
Fostering Communication, Collaboration, and Continuous Learning
In today's interconnected work environment, modern accountants frequently encounter scenarios that demand robust human skills. Mere expertise in accounting principles is insufficient; their effectiveness hinges on their ability to communicate seamlessly with clients and colleagues whilst collaborating effectively within teams.
Employees are instrumental in embodying a firm's mission and vision. As someone entrusted with their training and development, aligning the skills we impart with our firm's values is paramount.
It is imperative to acknowledge that each organization prioritizes different facets. Thus, tailoring training to align with your organization's vision is imperative. The skills valued by each organization are not static. For instance, our firm's vision, "To be the preferred business advisor of dynamic organizations," underscores our emphasis on not only accounting proficiency but also human skills such as leadership, relationship-building, gravitas, empathy, and professionalism among our accountants.
Equipping the Next Generation
As the accounting profession undergoes transformation, our approach to grooming the next generation of accountants evolves in tandem. While recent graduates may possess theoretical accounting knowledge, they often lack the practical experience crucial for application. Moreover, essential human skills, such as adept client relationship management and effective communication, are frequently underdeveloped.
A vital initiative for organizations is immersing these new hires in an environment conducive to experimentation and learning from mistakes. Cultivating a culture of growth and continual learning is paramount.
In our Firm, we operationalize this philosophy through various methods, including:
- Professional Development Programs: These programs aim to foster personal growth, improve job performance, and support career advancement. These programs encompass a wide range of activities tailored to meet the needs of employees at various stages of their careers and across different functional areas.
- Brownbag Sessions: These gatherings during lunchtime encompass diverse topics presented by both internal and external experts. From industry updates and technological advancements to practical human skills development, pop culture discussions, sustainability insights, DEIB, and trending topics. These sessions offer employees a platform to broaden their knowledge, gain insights, and engage with professionals in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Coaching and Mentoring: Our coaching and mentoring program pairs seasoned with novice employees, fostering a mutually enriching learning dynamic. Coaches helps coachees uncover their untapped potential. Mentors guide mentees in navigating the firm's culture, offer practical advice on professional interactions, and exemplify effective communication and collaboration. This structured system accelerates the learning curve for employees while bolstering their confidence and skill set. This serves as one of the backbones of the firm’s performance management.
- Scenario-Based Learning: The Knowledge Management Group frequently employs scenario-based learning and simulations to provide a secure space for new hires to experiment with various communication styles, collaboration strategies, and problem-solving techniques. Encouraging risk-taking and facilitating learning from both successes and setbacks, new hires cultivate collaboration, leadership, excellence, agility, respect, responsibility, and the human skills indispensable for flourishing as accountants.
The Power of Human Skills
In today's fast-paced landscape, thriving demands more than just technical expertise. Alongside a solid grasp of the technical facets of our professions, cultivating human skills is imperative for excelling in the dynamic environments we encounter. While formal training and effective knowledge management play pivotal roles in bridging this gap, I urge you to embrace the ethos of continual self-improvement. Learning has never been more accessible, with a wealth of information readily available, but the impetus for growth must originate from within the learner. Keep in mind that your most potent asset is your own curiosity and dedication to personal development.
As published in The Manila Times, dated 15 May 2024