We are committed to establishing learning as a strategic imperative and invests accordingly, providing its people with high quality learning programs that enhance individual and organization potential. Our ‘Learning and Development Policy’ is integral to our people strategy. Enhancing everyone’s ability to contribute today and prepare for the future is the key to our success.
We are a learning organization and continuous improvement is our way of life enabling us to provide quality services to our clients. We encourage each of our people to take charge of their personal development, including the firm’s own risk management, ethical and independence requirements, always be alert and seize opportunities for learning.
We are committed to ensure that our people take part in appropriate programs of continuing personal development to maintain their technical knowledge, professional skills and values while we meet CPD requirements being a platinum approved employer awarded by ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), ICPAC (Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus) and an approved employer by ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales).
Our inhouse annual training plan is constructed considering but not limited to areas of development of our people defined through on going formal and informal evaluation and feedback (knowledge, skills, competencies, attitudes, behaviors for current and future roles), findings identified through hot and cold financial statement reviews, findings identified during IQCR, GTARs, and other quality reviews, common queries and consultations requested, new market developments, law and government regulations, Grant Thornton International Limited requirements, technological and other new developments. It is revised when this is necessary ensuring the best possible development of our people on job related technical knowledge and capabilities.
We have set up a list of mandatory inhouse trainings to ensure consistent and ongoing learning and development with emphasis on quality, risk management, ethics, independence, compliance and more.
Compulsory yearly training programs are monitored to confirm completion by all assigned members of staff and include programs on Ethics and Independence, Inspection Findings, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), International Standards on Auditing (ISA), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs), Tax & Vat, a series of Audit Core training programs (Mastering the First Year, Mastering the Associate Role, Mastering the in-charge role, Audit Senior Development) and a series of soft skills development programs (Professional and Personal Leadership, Managing People and Performance for success, New Managers coaching skills). To support the firm's commitment to staff performing in a more effective and efficient manner and to deliver quality and success in their roles, all new colleagues and interns joining the firm are invited to attend an onboarding programme.
Our training plan is implemented through many training mediums all sponsored by the firm, through in-house programs and ‘Learning Nuggets’, external open seminars in Cyprus and abroad, on the job training, coaching, mentoring, being part of the ‘Buddy system’ for new comers, shadowing, continues feedback, technical alerts and circulars, professional memberships, participation in external and internal committees internal meetings etc.
Being a member firm of Grant Thornton International Limited (GTIL) we have access to great learning opportunities for example: forums, conferences, online trainings, workshops, mentoring programs, the GTConnect. Grant Thornton’s global learning goal is to provide world class learning on leadership, business development, client management and technical subjects. We are fully committed to sponsoring participation of our people in all learning opportunities provided by our network.
Grant Thornton service line technical and client service excellence
Significant client service-related learning is offered that equips Grant Thornton people with the knowledge and skills to support clients in achieving their operational and strategic goals. Service line learning is also available both within member firms and through global training on an ongoing basis.
Developing managers and partners
Programs to help managers and partners reach their leadership potential are also available:
- Senior Leadership Programme (SLP): The programme is for CEOs and leaders in senior strategic positions or those who are starting a firm wide leadership role. It is also ideal for those leaders who have been identified as high potential Partners who are increasingly playing an important leadership role in Grant Thornton. The SLP provides the opportunity for leaders to have access to thought-provoking new thinking, leadership theory, and strategic frameworks from Harvard Business School
- Advanced Leadership Programme (ALP): The programme is for Senior Managers, Directors and New Partners. It is a year long programme that takes place in strategic growth markets around the world providing participants with access to global clients, senior leaders, colleagues and thought Leaders. Designed for nominated by member firms Grant Thornton people and focuses on expanding their global perspective, deepening their engagement and leadership skills while building a professional network within the global organization.
- Emerging Leaders Programme (ELP): ELP is a foundation programme for high performing managers and senior managers who are recognised as future leaders. The programme provides participants an opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to maximise collaboration and impact across the region. It is three days in- person training, based regionally, to support cross border and cross service line collaboration.
- Exceptional Coach Programme: Addressed to all senior managers, including CEOs, with an interest in growing their firm and clients through developing others. This 12-month programme develops leader’s’ skills in supporting and inspiring others to achieve their potential and results in an international recognised coach accreditation.
Equal importance is the opportunities provided through global mobility programs for working abroad on short- or long-term secondments to other member firms. To date, we have supported numerous global assignments in various locations, including the US, UK and Ireland.
Sponsorships towards both ACA and ACCA professional qualifications
Grant Thornton Cyprus is a platinum approved employer for ACCA and an approved training office for ACA offering training contracts to successful candidates committed towards a professional qualification. The Company fully finances both qualifications. At the same time, gaining high standards of knowledge and ability in the workplace is an everyday effort enabling our trainees to receive practical experience as well. This, will enable everyone to apply the knowledge and techniques they learn while studying for their exams and develop the skills, attitudes and behaviours required for becoming successful professionals and qualified accountants.
The Company actively supports al Grant Thornton people to gain additional academic or professional qualifications and accreditations inspiring each person to find their talent and create value for themselves and others. Examples include but not limited to: Master’s degrees, CFA, ADIT, CISA qualifications etc.
People and Culture department is responsible for the successful and effective organization of all-in house-training programs and the participation to other external learning initiatives on behalf of our people, keeping training records electronically in our HR system including participation records for each program. Running evaluations for in house programs is an additional responsibility providing feedback to all our colleagues assuming the trainer role, enabling all of us as a team to constantly improve the quality of our training programs.
