ACCA's new Virtual Skills platform aims to elevate Gen Z jobseekers in finance
In today’s increasingly competitive job market, early-career professionals, particularly those belonging to Generation Z, face considerable challenges in distinguishing themselves to potential employers. Addressing this critical need for enhanced employability skills, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has launched the ACCA Virtual Skills platform—a digital resource designed specifically to aid new members and affiliates in preparing for interviews and job applications with greater confidence and competence.
The platform offers a flexible, accessible toolset centred around two core elements. Firstly, it features a suite of on-demand interview preparation videos that cover essential topics such as crafting impactful CVs, making a strong first impression, building a compelling LinkedIn profile, understanding appropriate interview attire, navigating salary discussions, and formulating insightful questions for employers. Secondly, the platform includes visually engaging virtual flashcards that distil key insights from ACCA’s reports on emerging themes like artificial intelligence, technology, global economics, and sustainability. These flashcards are intended to serve as conversation starters during networking events and provide jobseekers with contemporary knowledge that can impress interviewers.
Md. Sajid Khan, ACCA’s Director for India, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to equipping members and future members with practical skills crucial for career success, stating that the resource helps young professionals face future challenges with confidence. The launch coincides with a broader trend of ACCA enhancing career support for its members through digital initiatives. For instance, the ACCA Virtual Careers Fairs have been running since 2020, connecting thousands of finance professionals worldwide with top employers through live video interactions, webinars, and real-time job listings. These fairs have attracted participation from over 3,450 organisations and facilitated more than 57,000 job applications, demonstrating ACCA’s substantial role in global employability within the finance sector.
Moreover, ACCA Careers, the organisation’s dedicated job board, supports finance professionals in accessing thousands of vacancies from prestigious firms, including the Big Four and ACCA-approved employers. This platform enables jobseekers to search and apply for roles, set up alerts, upload CVs, and benefit from tailored career advice. The integration of the Virtual Skills platform with these existing services signals ACCA’s holistic approach to career development, covering both the provision of job opportunities and the enhancement of soft skills required to secure them.
The emphasis on soft skills aligns with feedback from employers, who consistently rate interpersonal and communication abilities as critical for new entrants to the workforce. Industry guidance, such as that provided by the Association of Corporate Counsel, highlights the importance of thorough preparation for virtual interviews—testing technology, planning appropriate attire, researching prospective employers, practising responses, and posing relevant questions. The ACCA Virtual Skills platform’s content mirrors these best practices, indicating its strong foundation in current recruitment trends.
ACCA’s ongoing initiatives extend beyond online resources to regional virtual career fairs, such as the ACCA Africa Virtual Careers Fair held in May 2025, which offered participants real-time access to job opportunities across experience levels alongside on-demand career support. Meanwhile, data from recent events reflected significant engagement, with the 2024 Virtual Careers Fair attracting 69 employers and over 2,000 participants, of whom three-quarters were ACCA members or students progressing toward membership. Over 500 job applications were submitted within just two weeks post-event, underscoring the platform’s effectiveness in bridging jobseekers and employers.
In summary, ACCA’s launch of the Virtual Skills platform complements its suite of employment support services by providing practical, easily accessible tools tailored for the unique challenges faced by Gen Z finance professionals entering the workforce. As digital recruitment and virtual interviews become the norm, resources like these are poised to play an increasingly vital role in helping candidates not only access opportunities but also excel in securing them amidst rising employer expectations.