Moore Australia's Robust L&D Program: Empowering Growth and Excellence

Doriena Parsons

14 July 2023

Continual learning and professional development are essential for individuals and organisations alike in order to thrive in today's dynamic business landscape. Recognising the significance of investing in their employees, Moore Australia, a leading accounting and advisory network of independent firms across Australia, has implemented a comprehensive Learning and Development (L&D) program. The program is designed to support employees at every stage of their careers and drive success at Moore Australia.
The L&D program is developed fully in-house and utilises the technical knowledge and expertise available within the network.

Driving Excellence through Collaboration:
Moore Australia places a strong emphasis on collaboration and knowledge-sharing. As part of their L&D program, the network hosts the annual Graduate Conference, where the newest generation of accountants from across the country come together to exchange ideas, enhance their skillsets, and foster connections. The conference forms the kick-off of the training calendar at Moore and is the first learning opportunity in the calendar year.

This conference serves as a launchpad for young professionals to start their careers and immerse themselves in the accounting profession.

According to industry research conducted in 2022, businesses who invest $1 in L&D per employee, see an average return of an additional $4.70 in business revenue per employee. This statistic highlights the tangible value that organisations gain from fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Lana Weldon, who is a board member of Moore Australia and General Manager says, "The Graduate Conference is an invaluable opportunity for our talented graduates to network, gain insights from industry leaders, and build lasting relationships that will support their professional growth."

To further foster personal and professional development, Moore Australia hosts Graduate Coffee Chats, providing ongoing structured opportunities for graduates to connect and learn. These informal sessions focus on developing career plans, personal development and professional skills.

Addressing Industry Challenges:
The accounting industry is currently facing challenges in retaining talent, with statistics indicating a decline in the number of professionals staying within the industry. This is trend is felt in Australia, as demonstrated by statistics issued by the ABS in 2022, which indicated fewer students are choosing business or accounting studies when entering tertiary education.

Moore Australia's robust L&D program addresses this challenge by delivering comprehensive training and development opportunities, in-house, which nurture the skills and career aspirations of their employees. By investing in their colleagues’ growth and providing a clear path for advancement, Moore Australia aims to counteract the trend and retain top talent within the accounting industry.

Dedicated to Excellence in services:
As a network with aspirations to become Australia’s most respected network, Moore Australia recognises the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest industry practices and embedding clear quality management processes. The L&D program incorporates the Audit and Tax and Business Advisory (TBA) Conferences, annual events that bring together professionals from across the network. This conference serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, skill enhancement, and ensuring the highest standards of quality.

Lana emphasises the value of the conferences, "The Audit and TBA Conferences play a vital role in maintaining our commitment to excellence in technical skills and our core professional services. They equip our professionals with the latest industry insights, ensure consistent quality across engagements, and enhance our clients' trust in our services."

Empowering Growth with the Training Roadshow:
In addition to the conferences and extensive webinars and on-demand learning, the Moore Australia technical team also presents the Training Roadshow. The Training Roadshow comprises specialised training sessions, delivered to all staff at all levels, in-person at the head office of each network member firm. The roadshow marks the middle of the annual learning calendar at Moore Australia and focuses on diverse areas such as technical skills, leadership development, and industry-specific expertise. It is developed to enable employees to broaden their knowledge and enhance their effectiveness in their respective roles.

A Bespoke Learning Experience with Moore Global:
Supplementing the extensive offerings at Moore Australia, employees also benefit from Moore Global's bespoke learning opportunities. Moore Global, the 11^th largest professional services network globally, delivers industry leading training in-house. However, the network also partners with prestigious institutions like Harvard Business School to deliver world-class programmes. This collaboration allows Moore Australia's professionals to gain exclusive access to cutting-edge educational resources and tailored programmes, further enhancing their skillsets and staying at the forefront of industry trends.

Continuous development
Moore Australia not only puts a remit on its staff to continuously develop their professional skills, but the network is constantly developing and evolving their L&D offering. For example, in 2023 a new learning experience will be introduced, targeted specifically at staff who are considered emerging leaders, and at an intermediary level in their careers. The two-day in-person conference will delve into the skills required to manage teams and become the future leaders of our industry.

Supporting Employees at Every Stage:
Lana emphasises the importance of supporting employees at every stage of their careers. She states, "We believe that investing in our employees' development creates a positive work culture and contributes to their overall job satisfaction." Weldon adds, "We are committed to providing the necessary tools, resources, and opportunities that empower our team members to excel and reach their full potential."