For over a year and a half, Forsyths accountancy firm, one of the largest finance and business advisory firms in regional NSW, has been struggling to fill key finance and managerial positions.
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The firm advertised for a newly created manager role at their Inverell branch in November of 2022 and despite lucrative incentives and packages offered by Forsyths to attract the right applicant, the role has remained unfulfilled.
Forsyths Project and Communications manager, Kelly Clarke, said the company has searched far and wide in an effort to find a suitable candidate for the position and has made every effort to pitch Inverell as an attractive regional town for professionals, however, finding the right applicant has been a "significant challenge" for the firm.
"It's a quality and highly desirable, newly created senior professional role at our branch in Inverell, but despite extensive advertising, search efforts and offering an attractive package with benefits, the firm is continuing to encounter difficulties attracting top quality candidates," she said.
The Business Services Managers Accountant position is a senior position at Forsyths which, according to the company's website, requires leadership, exceptional operation skills and a knack for building strong relationships and the ability to engage with a wonderful community.
The position's responsibilities include overseeing the Inverell branch business operations and flexing senior accountant skills to support valued clients.
Communications manager Heidi Manning, at 2 Creative Media, a communications brand and marketing company based in Tamworth, NSW, said attracting professional talent to regional towns is an ongoing issue that does not appear to be improving.
"Despite its undeniable charm, rich history and the high quality of life it offers, Inverell like many regional towns, struggles to fill roles in both the professional and healthcare sectors," she said.
"This ongoing issue impacts not only the local economy but also the accessibility and quality of services that are crucial for community well-being."
Forsyths has seven regional hubs in NSW including Armidale, Tamworth, Gunnedah and Inverell. They employ over 150 professional and support service team members.
The company has over 100 years of experience. They commenced operations in Armidale in 1921 as a family operated business and is one of the largest finance and business advisory firms in regional NSW, offering a full suite of personal, business and advisory services.
This includes superannuation and business management, whilst servicing core areas of tax, accounting, audit and assurance.
The pandemic-inspired tree change was touted as a major socio-political phenomenon that would redefine the urban vs rural divide, however shortage of services, such as health, has led some to question their relocation.
So, if this is the case, how is it that a business with over 100 years of history in regional areas and a provider of essential services, cannot find a suitable candidate to fill a prominent role in nearly two years?
Inverell mayor, councillor Paul Harmon, said the issue of attracting and retaining quality talent to regional areas is complex, multi-faceted, ongoing and effects many different industries.
"It's a very complex question, why businesses are unable to fill roles they are advertising, especially in those kinds of professional roles," said Cr Haromn.
"Certainly council is in the same boat where we have had to advertise on multiple occasions for the same role in order to try and attract suitable candidates for the role and that's been the case certainly since COVID.
"Everybody is getting back into the workforce, it's a mix of stay at home, getting back into the office, working remotely and it adds to the complexity of finding qualified staff.
"I think a lot of people during and after covid took a breath and I guess maybe reevaluated their current priorities, so there may be skill shortages in certain areas but I know that it is Australia wide not just relevant to our shire."
Mr Harmon said regional towns like Inverell have plenty to offer potential staff,
"I think if people knew what regional life was actually like and what rural life had to offer, I think they would be pleasantly surprised and I think they would get out and come out here and visit," he said.
"But people just need to be brave enough to take that first step, and I'm hoping more people will actually do that."