ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) today published the SMP Talent Management Toolkit, a two-part resource designed to help small and medium-sized accounting practices (SMPs) attract, develop and retain the talent they need to serve the millions of small businesses that rely on them.
The toolkit is a comprehensive resource ACCA has produced on practice talent, drawing on the world’s largest annual survey of finance and accountancy professionals and on direct practitioner experience from across the world.
Competition for finance and accountancy talent is more intense than it has been for a generation. AI and automation are reshaping what accountants do day to day, client expectations are rising, and a new generation of candidates is entering the market with different priorities from those who came before.
At the same time, ACCA’s India Talent Trends 2026 report confirms that what 81% of candidates want most from their careers is precisely what small and medium practices are built to offer: meaningful work, direct impact, breadth of experience, and the chance to build genuine relationships.
Md. Sajid Khan, Director – India, ACCA, said: ‘India’s accounting profession is evolving rapidly, driven by digital transformation, AI adoption and the growing expectations of businesses. For small and medium-sized practices, attracting and developing the right talent has become a strategic priority. ACCA’s SMP Talent Management Toolkit provides practical guidance to help firms build future-ready teams by providing continuous learning, embracing new technologies and creating meaningful career pathways. By investing in people today, SMPs can strengthen their role as trusted advisers to India’s thriving MSME sector and contribute to the country’s long-term economic growth.’
The toolkit is published in two linked parts:
- SMP Talent Management Toolkit (for practice leaders): A practical guide structured around the full talent cycle – attract, develop, retain. At its core are 10 messages for attracting talent to an SMP, grounded in real practitioner experience and developed through direct conversations with the global SMP community. The publication also covers learning culture, AI upskilling, skills frameworks and retention, with checklists, case studies and employer voices from Malaysia, Singapore, Ireland and Sri Lanka.
- Why choose a career in a small or medium-sized practice? (for candidates): A story-led companion for anyone considering an SMP as a career destination – school leavers, graduates, career changers or experienced professionals. It features the same 10 messages reframed from the candidate’s perspective, 10 career tips and a skills development framework drawn from ACCA’s Career Paths Reimagined 2026 research.
Both publications are grounded throughout in ACCA’s Global Talent Trends 2026 and feature six new video stories from practice leaders and practitioners across Malaysia, Singapore, Ireland, South Africa and the UK.
More information on the toolkit can be obtained here.
About ACCA
We are ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), the only truly global professional accountancy body. Since we were founded in 1904, we’ve been breaking down barriers to the accountancy profession. Today we proudly support a diverse community of over 257,900 members and 530,100 future members in 180 countries.
We’re redefining accountancy. Our cutting-edge qualifications, continuous learning and insights are respected and valued by employers in every sector. They equip individuals with the business and finance expertise and ethical judgment to lead and drive sustainable value in organisations and economies worldwide.
Guided by our purpose and values, we’re leading the accountancy profession for a changed world. Partnering with policymakers, standard setters, the donor community, educators and other accountancy bodies, we’re strengthening and building a profession that focuses on people, planet and prosperity to create value for all.
Find out more at: www.accaglobal.com
