Press Releases
February 2010
Essex Accountant’s Italian Job
A trainee accountant at Essex-based chartered accountancy firm Rickard Keen has recently returned from a visit to Italy, where she was able to spend a week sharing ideas and expertise with her counterparts.
Paola Coltra worked alongside the accountants at Studio Pragma in Fano, on the eastern coast of Italy, seeing how they operated, helping them with technical enquiries relating to the UK and seeing what the two firms could learn from each other.
The idea came about when Francesco Bartolucci, a partner at Studio Pragma accountants, based in Fano, Italy, attended a recent conference hosted by the international accountancy association MGI, of which both his own firm and Rickard Keen are members.
MGI membership allows companies to share best practice and ideas, as well as giving them access to the local knowledge of member firms around the world, for the benefit of clients who may be looking to work abroad, or which have overseas businesses or investments.
Mr Bartolucci and Rickard Keen partner Bob Sadler came up with the plan for an ‘exchange visit’ to strengthen the relationship between the two firms. Although Studio Pragma is somewhat smaller than Rickard Keen, the range of services provided is similar, making the two practices an ideal fit.
Mr Sadler said: “We felt that it would be a great idea for someone from Rickard Keen to experience the culture and working practices of a firm in mainland Europe. Another benefit was that it would also help to strengthen the relationships between firms.
“Francesco was keen for his firm to be involved and the idea had the enthusiastic support of all of the Rickard Keen partners. As Paola has a fair amount of Italian blood in her veins and was at the right level she was a natural choice and, we’re pleased to say, a willing volunteer.
“We are very pleased to have been able to make Paola’s visit possible. It has been a great experience for her and we are sure that Rickard Keen will benefit from it.”
For more information, contact Rickard Keen LLP on 01702 347771.
