Portman International accredited as ACCA approved training practice

Portman International, a member of the Portman International Group with offices in Malta, London and Dublin, has become an accredited ACCA training practice.

The Floriana-based organisation is providing enhanced training support that assists employees who are in the process of obtaining their ACCA qualification. This accreditation applies for both the Malta and London offices. David Marinelli and Michael de Giorgio act as the training principal for Malta and London, respectively, while David Mallia is the training consultant.

At Portman International, ACCA students benefit from a number of advantages, among which are paid leave during examinations; regular appraisals; regular reviews of their training records; access to technical libraries; and an organised work experience.

According to Mr Mallia: "It was felt that we could assist our staff not only by providing training that would assist them in obtaining the local auditor's warrant but also by having the same training activity assist them to obtain a UK ACCA practising certificate.

"Accreditation is required if a practice wishes to train ACCA students and members towards a UK practising certificate. A UK practicing certificate is also valid in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland."

To obtain ACCA approved accreditation, an employer must satisfy statements of best practice in six key areas:

1. Study support - students are given paid study leave in addition to annual leave;

2. Work experience requirements - experience is organised to enable individuals to obtain relevant experience, which can be counted towards the ACCA's practical training requirements;

3. Supervision - where possible, supervisors are qualified accountants, and provide constructive feedback on work performances at appropriate times;

4. Appraisal and workplace development - appraisals are conducted at least once every 12 months (at Portman International, they are conducted twice a year). The outcomes of appraisal meetings are recorded and used to monitor and measure progress;

5. Training records - individuals are required to complete training records; and

6. Continuing development - this is reviewed and discussed during appraisals. Portman International provides full CPD (continuous professional development) support.

Mr Marinelli added: "We have developed a culture and approach with regards to our staff that enables us to focus more on the individual. Employees are not recruited in numbers, so they are given individual attention. It is a price we are willing to pay."

Portman International recently took a stand at the Careers Convention at the University of Malta. "Our message was that we are quality employers," Mr Marinelli said. "We keep very high standards. We operate internationally from Malta in a way few other local organisations do."

The organisation competes in the EU on quality. "We have high client loyalty, with some customers having been with us since the organisation was set up in London in 1986 and we consider it important to keep our standards," Mr Marinelli said.