First Intuition Think Tank (FITT) Forums

First Intuition’s Think Tank Forums started during the pandemic as a way to keep clients up to date with the ever-changing situation and how it was impacting the accountancy and finance industry. Today, these forums are still informing employers on the latest and relevant accountancy and finance industry news. The sessions offer views, experiences, and advice/ tips from expert speakers on a range of topics that are currently affecting businesses.

Below you will find summaries and recordings of previous sessions in 2023.

Find 2024’s FITT Forums here.

Previous 2023 FITT Forums

How to make the most of National Apprenticeship Week 2024

Accountancy Apprenticeships: The Past, Present and Future

Apprenticeships continue to have a revolutionary impact on the way young accountants enter the sector. They offer a multitude of benefits for the employers who train their staff with them and the students training on them.

This session explored the way apprenticeships have changed over the last few years, what intake patterns have emerged in 2023, and what further changes we can expect to see in the next year or two. Expert speakers discussed:

• Past: how apprenticeships have impacted the way that entry-level trainee accountants are recruited, supported and developed
• Present: up-to-date insight into the most recent intakes across the different apprenticeship levels relevant to accountancy
• Future: what the coming months might look like from a funding and policy perspective with a looming general election

Creating an Individualistic Approach to Recruit and Retain Staff

Many employers are finding that they have to take a more personalised, tailored and individualised approach to each candidate during recruitment and to each member of staff once onboarded to ensure they remain satisfied in their roles.

This session explored some of the ways individualisation can effectively and efficiently be put into place during the recruitment process and once employees are in a role. Expert speakers discussed:

• Individualisation in recruitment; communicating and interacting with candidates through the recruitment process from initial engagement to interview/ assessment to offer/acceptance to the pre-start period
• Individualisation in managing staff to improve retention and motivation; delegation, managing, monitoring, training, salary and benefits, career planning and progression

Where Technologies in Accountancy are Now and Where they are Heading Next

As new technologies like AI, Power BI and data analytics tools continue to develop, it is essential that businesses stay on top of changes, those that don’t risk becoming uncompetitive and out of touch.

This session explored the rapidly evolving landscape of technologies in accountancy, including the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the realm of financial technology. Louisa Matheson, Digital Programme Manager at First Intuition, hosted a discussion with expert speakers currently implementing and using these new technologies, covering topics on:

Engaging with and Recruiting Young Adults and Understanding Their Mindset

Staff resourcing remains a key issue for businesses, with many finding it particularly hard to engage with young adults who are fresh out of school and college. This means a lot of businesses do not have a reliable stream of fresh talent at a junior level, whilst many young adults are also struggling to get into the job market.

This session looked at some recent research into the rapid changes in ‘what makes young adults tick’. As well as considering how employers need to change their Employer Value Proposition to appeal to individuals currently leaving education. The session also gave tips on how to grab the attention of prospective candidates, how to attract them to your brand, and what to expect from them in the recruitment and assessment process.

We heard from expert speakers as they discussed:

• The mindset of young adults including any research/reports into what motivates them – how employers need to change their Employer Value Proposition
• Engaging with young adults and grabbing their attention and attracting them to your brand
• What to expect from young adults in your recruitment and assessment process

Preparing and Onboarding Young Adults

Due to a large number of vacancies in the current job market, some employers are finding they are losing candidates to other roles during the onboarding process. It is therefore critical that employers regularly and effectively engage with their new cohort from job offer through to their first day.

This session explored strategies for maximising the impact of the ‘pre-start’ period to avoid losing successful candidates to other job opportunities. As well as what employers can expect from young adults when they first enter the workplace, and how to successfully onboard and engage them in their early weeks of employment.

The session was made up of two different topics:

1. Preparing young adults for starting in their first professional workplace
2. Onboarding young adults

Motivating and Retaining Young Adults

How employers motivate and retain young adults is changing as new generations of staff enter the workplace. This is because the values and expectations of this age group are different from what they have been to previous generations. Employers need to adapt to these changes in order to successfully attract, motivate, and retain young staff.

This session looked at the different motivators for the newest generation of workplace cohorts and what employers can do to maximise commitment from new joiners to encourage retention.

The session was made up of two different topics:

1. Motivating young adults
2. Retaining young adults

Connecting with Young Adults for your 2024 Talent Pipeline

Employers are finding it more and more difficult to get in front of potential entry-level recruits. This is because young adults are not always made aware of the opportunities available to them if they decide not to go to University. However, there are things employers can do to widen the reach of their recruitment away from traditional pathways.

We heard from expert speakers as they discussed:

• How employers can widen the reach of their entry-level recruitment
• New candidate marketing avenues available to employers
• How to keep up-to-date with where young adults are likely to be searching for roles
• Their latest insight into what young adults are looking for when choosing an employer

FITT Forum Archive

You can find a full archive of valuable insight from previous First Intuition Think Tank forums below. Many of the discussions are every bit as relevant now.

2024 FITT Forums.

2022 FITT Forums.

2021 FITT Forums.

2020 FITT Forums.

Other First Intuition events.