Time and space to enjoy our work

We aim to maintain around 15% over capacity, so that our team have time to focus on their work, time to think, and time to bounce ideas off one another. - real job satisfaction and greater levels of client service.

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Shorts have tailored my role to compliment my strengths, and as a result, I am less stressed, more productive and feel more fulfilled in my work.
Brian Gooch - Tax Technical Director

We don’t work to unrealistic timescales and never accept client work that we are unable to fulfil.

We manage our employee levels with the aim of ensuring our team numbers are 15% over capacity, so that nobody feels overwhelmed or under undue pressure.

Consequently, our team have the appropriate time to focus on their work – time to think, time to analyse, and time to bounce off one another with ideas. This approach leads to improved job satisfaction and greater levels of client service.

We asked members of our team “What do you like best about working at Shorts?”

We give you time

When you work at Shorts, you receive everything you'd expect from a really progressive firm, plus lots more besides

Time to fit your work around life

Our policies provide greater flexibility over the hours worked each day.

A core hours policy and the ability to take up to two hours for lunch enable greater control over the working day.

For many of the team, this allows them to fit in the school run, the gym before work, or an earlier finish when required.

Time to celebrate

Our team regularly enjoy charity fundraising events, social gatherings and celebrations.

Such as

- The option to take one volunteering day per year
- Christmas party
- Annual summer social
- Charity and other social events
- Awards dinners

Time for welfare and support

We're passionate about supporting the welfare of our team and have introduced initiatives to increase awareness and support within numerous areas.

With two mental health first aiders within the firm, access to well-being resources and counselling and medical support through PAYCARE, our team have access to ongoing and associated support if and when needed.

Ensuring our team feel supported, developed and happy

Investing in the team

Rob Brown is a best-selling author and successful podcaster, within the accounting sector. An expert in delving into the heart of the topic, Rob interviews Managing Partner, Andy Irvine to understand why giving our people time to recharge their batteries and mental wellbeing is something that we take very seriously.

Why we enjoy working at Shorts

Accounting podcaster, Rob Brown interviewed four members of our team (Alice Johnson, Stephen Allender, Martin Dean and Helena Flatters) and talked about why Shorts is a great place to work. Rob asks our team to summarise why each of them enjoys working at Shorts and what it is that makes Shorts different.

Our experiences - in our own words

Matty Lewis, Audit & Accounts Manager

"There is no “us and them” at Shorts – the Partners are part of the team and having that exposure aids development at all levels and echoes the positive and friendly culture."

"In my progression to manager, I’m encouraged to seek out external courses to further my development, often not accounting related – such as resilience and efficiency – allowing me to develop new techniques."

"Everyone, no matter their level, is encouraged to speak up and given access to additional support measures, such as for mental health, which is regularly promoted firm-wide."

Alicia Williams, Client Finance Director and Digital Improvement Lead

"Having worked at small accountancy firms for 8 years, I was apprehensive about joining Shorts – being much larger than what I was used to. I was concerned I would be treated as a number rather than an individual. I needn’t have worried.

Since working for Shorts I have met some fantastic people, that are supportive and inspiring. There are people from all different backgrounds and that’s a really great team to be part of, being able to learn from the experiences of others."

Kirstie Wilson, Snr Audit & Accounts Manager

"It was clear from the initial interview that I would be more than just a number working at Shorts. They support your growth and share in your successes (both personal and professional) and strongly promote good work-life balance which is great for me with young children."

"Being a working mum has not been a barrier to my progression which is so refreshing. Shorts work closely with all of the team to understand what we want out of our career and provide opportunities to allow us to succeed and great support throughout."

Supporting our clients - living our lives

Team focus

Beginning your career - first steps
Career Progression and Development - next steps
Healthy life balance
Charity and Volunteering
Working at Shorts
The Benefits
Team News

Our recruitment program includes many just starting out on their career journey in accountancy.

Whether joining through our graduate program, as an apprentice, or studying for higher qualifications, all of our trainees are fully supported throughout their training journey, and many stay with us after completing their studies.

Find out more

For many, completing professional qualifications is only the beginning of their journey, and understanding how to achieve a promotion or climb the career ladder is the natural next step.

So, our Management Development Program is designed specifically for those individuals wanting to understand, plan and navigate their route to promotion.

Through a program of structured courses, mentoring, and training we continue to support our team throughout their development journey.

Find out more

We look after our clients really well, but we also look after our team, because we know that their welfare and development are equally as important.

For everyone, personal time when we are not working is extremely valuable, and it is for that reason, that our zero overtime policy was created. Fundamentally, we do not expect any of our team to work more than their basic weekly hours.

Although this practice is quite unique within the accounting industry, we are proud to consistently see average overtime at less than one hour per employee per month.

Hybrid working, core hours, and zero overtime policies mean that our team manage their time better – both in and out of the office.

Find out more

Our team regularly takes part in local and national fundraising events and all team members have the opportunity to take part in one volunteering day each year.

There is an opportunity to get involved in

Sporting events, tournaments and challenges
Cake sales
Christmas events
Local charity collections

Find out more

We’ve created an environment where our team feel supported, developed and happy; a blend of interesting and challenging work, with time to contribute their own ideas, concentrate on personal development whilst ensuring a healthy life balance, both in and out of work.

Find out more

Those who work for Shorts can expect all the stuff you would normally expect from a really progressive form, and lots more besides

Find out more - Benefits in full

We work together, celebrate our successes together and always share our team news.

To find out more about what’s been happening recently, visit our LinkedIn page.

Visit our LinkedIn

Interested in finding out more?

Why not get in touch?

We’re always open to talking to great people. If you feel that Shorts would be a great fit for your next career move, then why not send us your contact details; we’ll give you a call and maybe meet up to chat over coffee? (If you’d prefer to send us your CV, you can add that too – we prefer blind CVs where possible)

Is it really as good as we say?

Rob Brown talked to Michelle Frost to find out more about the culture at Shorts. (Warning) This video might be 18 minutes long, but once Michelle began speaking, she spoke so passionately about the measures we’ve been putting in place, that we really didn’t want to edit it.

Team News

Our recent Team News

28 November 2023

How to pay bills directly from Xero - New

Xero has recently announced a new feature allowing business and accountancy users to use open banking to pay bills directly from their Xero log-in.

23 November 2023

A Festival of Christmas Trees

The Chesterfield Festival of Christmas Trees has once again opened its doors for what is now the ninth year. Running from now until Sunday 3rd of December, the festival is open daily for visitors at the Parish Church St. Mary and All Saints (The Crooked Spire). Once again, Shorts is proud to be joining in the festival, with our Christmas tree joining the many others.

23 November 2023

Autumn Statement 2023: R&D Tax Relief Changes

On November 22nd 2023, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, delivered his Autumn Statement, outlining several changes to UK tax. Particular emphasis was placed on business, and the R&D Tax Relief schemes received a lot of attention.

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