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Award Categories

The Yorkshire Accountancy Awards 2025 is taking place on 22 February 2025

The Yorkshire Accountancy Awards categories are open to everyone involved in accountancy within Yorkshire, from outstanding trainees to managing partners of accountancy firms. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate the successes of those organisations, teams and individuals who have excelled within the region.

Find the categories and criteria, key information and links, and the all-important buttons for the entry form below. Good luck!

Key dates and deadlines General rules and requirements

Key Dates for Your Diary

All the dates you need for the Yorkshire Accountancy Awards 2025

  • Entry deadline 25 October
  • Shortlist January
  • Awards ceremony 27 February

Submissions for Yorkshire Accountancy Awards 2025 are now closed.

The Yorkshire Accountancy Awards celebrates Yorkshire’s outstanding accountants and firms.

Our categories are designed to recognise the entire profession, from small independent and mid-tier firms to the Big Four, while also offering a wide range of individual and team awards—all with a view to enabling the very best of regional practice to be scrutinised, recognised and rewarded.

The awards culminate in a black-tie ceremony and dinner, held in Leeds.

How to enter How to win Rules and requirements Contact us Register now to enter

How to enter

  • Register to enter

    To enter the Yorkshire Accountancy Awards, you need to register. This will enable you to access the entry form and enter as many categories as you wish.

    Click here to register

  • Pick your categories

    There are lots of categories to choose from and you can enter as many as you wish.

    Read the criteria carefully for each and decide which will give you the best opportunity to demonstrate your strengths.

    The criteria is in a Q&A format, so follow this closely to provide the independent judging panel with a clear, easy-to-follow submission and include all of the information requested. Rest assured, the process is entirely confidential.

    View the categories and criteria

  • Choose the form of your submission

    Make sure every submission is unique for the category that you’re entering.

    We accept written submissions of between 250 and 1,000 words per category (please note: this is in total, not per criterion).

    Written submissions are at their best after several drafts, with input from everyone involved. Remember that your submission needs to stand out from the crowd, so keep it active, free of jargon, and don’t forget to proofread your words before entering.

    Alternatively, you can enter a video submission. You’ll have a maximum of five minutes to demonstrate why you, your team or business should win the particular category. Videos are easy to digest and revisit, and they allow the judges to put a face to an entry.

    Please note, we are no longer accepting video files. To submit a video, you must upload it to a third-party platform such as YouTube or your own website and supply a link (ensure that the video is unlisted or private before submitting).

  • Submit via the form

    Submissions can only be accepted via the entry form.

    Fill out all of the required information. There are mandatory fields for the person providing the submission as well as the subject of the submission.

    If you are putting an organisation forward for an award, eg, Company X for Large Firm of the Year, mark the fields under the Nominee heading with an ‘N/A’ except for the Company name field and make sure you choose the correct category from the list. Doing so reveals the correct category criteria and fields in which to paste your submission. The form must be filled out and submitted for every category.

    The form removes all formatting, so don’t worry about italics, bolding, underlining or hyperlinking, as these won’t make it through our system. Furthermore, no supporting documents and attachments are allowed, so don’t use the attach buttons for CVs, promo videos, PDFs and Word docs—these won’t be passed on to the judges.

    For written submissions, input your 250 to 1,000 words in the provided fields. For video submissions, fill out the form (except the criteria fields) and paste the link to your video into the one of the criteria fields (alternatively, email the video link to lily.middleton@barkerbrooks.co.uk).

    View the entry form

    Pressed for time? Click the Save and Continue Later button. This will take you to a unique link that you can use to return to your submission later. Alternatively, input your email address and we’ll send you the link!

  • Attach your logo

    If you make it to the shortlist, we’ll need a high resolution version of your logo for the ceremony and marketing campaigns. We accept the .JPEG and .PNG formats.

  • Attach nominee’s photo

    This is for the talent categories. Colour photos are preferred, wide, horizontal shots work well, and high resolution.

  • Sit back and wait for news

    That’s it, you’re done! Approximately two weeks following the submission deadline, our judging panel will convene to make their decisions. We’ll then get in touch with every finalist to give them the good news.

How to win

It’s all about being memorable and compelling:

  • Start early. Give yourself plenty of time to carefully evaluate the criteria for the categories you’re entering and provide a well-produced submission before the entry deadline.
  • Check the criteria. Each category has its own criteria, and each submission should be unique.
  • Provide evidence. Include as many results and evidence of success as you can, including testimonials. Judges are there to be swayed, so sway them.
  • Keep it simple. Write or speak clearly and concisely so the judges can quickly understand the points you’re making.
  • Consult with the relevant team. Collaborate on your submission as you do your work, and ensure that your whole team contributes.
  • Be enthusiastic, transparent, and honest. Inspire the judges by sharing your organisation’s ethos and passion for your work without trying to pull the wool over their eyes. Honesty is the best policy.
  • Redraft and revise. Once your submission is ready, start again and interrogate every fact and figure. Are they correct? Question every claim. Is that true? Weigh your language. Is that a helpful term or an empty buzzword?

General rules and requirements

  • Entrants must be based in Yorkshire or provide services in Yorkshire
  • Entrants can enter as many categories as they wish
  • Submissions must be unique and tailored to meet the criteria of each category
  • Self-nomination is required
  • Written and video submissions are accepted – both must follow the criteria format
  • Submissions can be made until 11.59pm on entry deadline day
  • Entrants are expected to send at least one representative to attend the in-person ceremony
  • The Yorkshire Accountancy Awards reserves the right to remove any entries which do not meet the above criteria

Do you still have questions…

For information on sponsorship, contact Harry Thomas

harry.thomas@barkerbrooks.co.uk

0113 521 6091

For information about entering the Yorkshire Accountancy Awards, contact Lily Middleton

lily.middleton@barkerbrooks.co.uk

0113 867 2191

Company

  • Best Employer of the Year

    Open to all accountancy firms and in-house finance departments

    1. How does your organisation support professional development and advancement for employees?
    2. What initiatives has your organisation undertaken or implemented to boost morale and physical and mental health?
    3. Has your organisation created jobs in Yorkshire? If so, how many, in what areas and with what aim in mind?
    4. What outreach does your organisation undertake, in order to attract talent and raise awareness about your business?
    5. What recognition has your organisation received from third parties for its efforts as an employer?
  • Best ESG Campaign

    Open to all accountancy firms and in-house finance departments

    1. What ambitious ESG targets has the organisation set?
    2. In what ways are the organisation’s senior leadership taking a top-down approach to planning, setting and executing ESG activity?
    3. Outline at least one recent campaign that best demonstrates the organisation’s dedication of resources, strategic planning and execution and delivery of results in pursuit of its ESG ambitions.
    4. What steps is the organisation taking to continue achieving progress in the pursuit of its ESG ambitions?
    5. What recognition has the organisation received from third parties for its ESG campaign?
  • Brand of the Year

    Open to any new marketing initiative launched during the previous 12 months—any campaign via any media will be considered

    1. Describe the campaign—its aims, planning, execution and results
    2. How were technology and creativity utilised to ensure the campaign’s success?
    3. What role did teamwork play and were there any noteworthy personal contributions?
    4. What lessons did your organisation learn that it will implement for future campaigns?
  • Independent Firm of the Year

    Open to accountancy firms that have either 0-50 employees based in Yorkshire or a UK income of up to £5m

    1. What are the firm’s ongoing and recently accomplished aims?
    2. How are these going to be/were they delivered?
    3. What are the firm’s current product and service capabilities and what is it achieving for clients?
    4. How is the firm differentiating its offering for clients and standing out from its competition?
    5. How is the firm engaging with the Yorkshire region?
    6. What, if any, recognition has the firm received from third parties?
  • Mid-Tier Firm of the Year

    Open to accountancy firms that have either 51-350 employees based in Yorkshire or a UK income of between £5m-£50m

    1. What are the firm’s ongoing and recently accomplished aims?
    2. How are these going to be/were they delivered?
    3. What are the firm’s current product and service capabilities and what is it achieving for clients?
    4. How is the firm differentiating its offering for clients and standing out from its competition?
    5. How is the firm engaging with the Yorkshire region?
    6. What, if any, recognition has the firm received from third parties?
  • Large Firm of the Year

    Open to accountancy firms that have either over 350 employees based in Yorkshire or a UK income of over £50m

    1. What are the firm’s ongoing and recently accomplished aims?
    2. How are these going to be/were they delivered?
    3. What are the firm’s current product and service capabilities and what is it achieving for clients?
    4. How is the firm differentiating its offering for clients and standing out from its competition?
    5. How is the firm engaging with the Yorkshire region?
    6. What, if any, recognition has the firm received from third parties?
  • Niche Firm of the Year

    Open to specialist accountancy practices and boutiques

    1. What are the firm’s ongoing and recently accomplished aims?
    2. How are these going to be/were they delivered?
    3. What are the firm’s current product and service capabilities and what is it achieving for clients?
    4. How is the firm differentiating its offering for clients and standing out from its competition?
    5. How is the firm engaging with the Yorkshire region?
    6. What, if any, recognition has the firm received from third parties?

Service

  • Accounting Tech Initiative of the Year

    Open to accountancy firms and in-house finance departments only. Technology providers and partners may enter, but only in partnership with a client firm or department

    1. How has the recent accounting tech initiative delivered on its aims and benefited clients?
    2. What is the potential of the underlying technology beyond its initial application?
    3. Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the initiative to market?
    4. How did collaboration—between team members and/or client and developer—contribute to the initiative’s development and deployment?
    5. How is the underlying technology future-proofed in anticipation of further change in the accountancy sector?
  • Audit Service Award

    Open to accountancy firms and in-house finance departments delivering audit services to clients/stakeholders, covering the past 12 months

    1. Provide an overview of the organisation’s audit services and outline how they meet client needs
    2. How does technical ability contribute?
    3. How is service delivery innovative?
    4. What makes your audit services stand apart from the competition?
    5. What, if any, recognition has the service received from third parties?
  • Corporate Finance Service Award

    Open to accountancy firms and in-house finance departments delivering corporate finance services to clients/stakeholders, covering the past 12 months

    1. Provide an overview of the organisation’s corporate finance services and outline how they meet client needs
    2. How does technical ability contribute?
    3. How is service delivery innovative?
    4. What makes your corporate finance services stand apart from the competition?
    5. What, if any, recognition has the service received from third parties?
  • Consultancy/Advisory Service Award

    Open to accountancy firms and in-house finance departments delivering consultancy/advisory services to clients/stakeholders, covering the past 12 months

    1. Provide an overview of the organisation’s consultancy/advisory services and outline how they meet client needs
    2. How does technical ability contribute?
    3. How is service delivery innovative?
    4. What makes your consultancy/advisory services stand apart from the competition?
    5. What, if any, recognition has the service received from third parties?
  • Tax Service Award

    Open to accountancy firms and in-house finance departments delivering tax services to clients/stakeholders, covering the past 12 months

    1. Provide an overview of the organisation’s tax services and outline how they meet client needs
    2. How does technical ability contribute?
    3. How is service delivery innovative?
    4. What makes your tax services stand apart from the competition?
    5. What, if any, recognition has the service received from third parties?

Team

  • In-house Finance Team of the Year

    Open to finance teams and departments working in-house within an organisation outside of private practice accountancy firms

    1. How does the team contribute to the business success of the organisation?
    2. How does the team add value to essential work?
    3. When and how has the team demonstrated a clear commitment to excellence, quality and innovation?
    4. What, if any, recognition has the team received from accountancy firms and other third parties?
    5. How does the team contribute to the wider accountancy profession or business community?
  • Support Staff of the Year

    Open to all support staff and teams (eg, HR, IT) operating at accountancy firms

    1. How does the person or team contribute to the business success of the organisation?
    2. How does the person or team add value to essential work?
    3. When and how has the person or team demonstrated a clear commitment to excellence, quality and innovation?
    4. What, if any, recognition has the person or team received from third parties?
    5. How does the person or team contribute to the wider accountancy profession or business community?
  • Team of the Year

    Open to all teams (two or more members) operating at accountancy firms

    1. How does the team contribute to the business success of the organisation?
    2. What are the team’s specialisms and where and how does it excel from a technical point of view?
    3. When and how has the team demonstrated a clear commitment to excellence, quality and innovation?
    4. What, if any, recognition has the team received from third parties?
    5. How does the team contribute to the wider accountancy profession or business community?

Talent

  • Finance Director of the Year

    Open to in-house finance directors/heads of finance/chief financial officers

    1. How and why is the director an outstanding leader?
    2. Have they significantly contributed to their organisation’s growth? How?
    3. How do they demonstrate dedication to clients?
    4. What do they contribute to staff development and welfare?
    5. How does the accountant contribute to the wider accountancy profession or business community?
  • Managing Partner of the Year

    Open to managing partners of accountancy firms/offices

    1. How and why is the managing partner an outstanding leader?
    2. Have they significantly contributed to their organisation’s growth? How?
    3. How do they demonstrate dedication to clients?
    4. What do they contribute to staff development and welfare?
    5. How does the accountant contribute to the wider accountancy profession or business community?
  • Partner of the Year

    Open to partners at accountancy firms

    1. How has the partner performed over the past 12 months, in fee earning and other areas such as marketing or setting up new projects that have benefited the firm?
    2. What are the partner’s areas of expertise and where are they most technically proficient?
    3. How has the partner gone above and beyond for clients?
    4. What do they contribute to staff development and welfare?
    5. How does the accountant contribute to the wider accountancy profession or business community?
  • Rising Star of the Year

    Open to all accountants and staff working in accountancy firms who have ‘risen’ in some way, eg, promotion or to a worthy challenge

    1. Why do you consider this person to be a ‘rising star’ within your organisation or the wider profession?
    2. What does the rising star do internally to benefit the organisation and push it forward?
    3. How does the rising star contribute to the wider accountancy profession or business community?
    4. How has the rising star demonstrated a clear commitment to excellence, quality and innovation?
    5. What is the rising star doing to push on and continue their pursuit for excellence?
  • Trainee of the Year

    Open to all accountants and staff in accountancy firms currently on a training programme, such as a graduate or apprenticeship programme

    1. When and how has the trainee demonstrated excellent standards of work?
    2. When has the trainee gone above and beyond for the organisation?
    3. How has the trainee contributed to client relationships and/or business development?
    4. How has the trainee maintained high standards of professional development?
    5. How does the trainee contribute to the wider accountancy profession or business community?
  • Yorkshire Advisor of the Year

    Open to advisors working at accountancy firms, as sole practitioners or within an organisation’s in-house finance department

    1. How has the advisor performed over the past 12 months, in fee earning and other areas such as marketing?
    2. What are the advisor’s areas of expertise and where are they most technically proficient?
    3. How has the advisor gone above and beyond for clients?
    4. How does the advisor contribute to the wider accountancy profession or business community?
    5. What is their reputation in the accountancy profession and how has it been earned?
  • Yorkshire Accountant of the Year

    Open to qualified accountants working at accountancy firms, as sole practitioners or within an organisation’s in-house finance department

    1. How has the accountant performed over the past 12 months, in fee earning and other areas such as marketing?
    2. What are the accountant’s areas of expertise and where are they most technically proficient?
    3. How has the accountant gone above and beyond for clients?
    4. How does the accountant contribute to the wider accountancy profession or business community?
    5. What is their reputation in the accountancy profession and how has it been earned?
The judging panel of the 2024 Yorkshire Accountancy Awards pose in front of the media wall

The 2025 shortlist is on its way!

That’s it! The Yorkshire Accountancy Awards is closed to submissions for another year!

The independent judging panel has scored and assessed the 2025 cohort and we’re preparing for the ceremony.

Why not guarantee your spot at the awards in February?

Reserve a ticket

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