Ashton accountancy firm wins prestigious award

Sterling Finance (UK) Limited, an independent accountancy practice based in Ashton-under-Lyne, has won the Approved Employer Award at the inaugural ACCA UK Awards 2026.

The award recognises its longstanding commitment to professional development, nurturing talent, and investing in the next generation of finance professionals.

The award was presented by ACCA President Melanie Proffitt at the ACCA Finance Futures Conference in London on Friday, 23 October 2026.

Organised by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the awards celebrate outstanding contributions to the accountancy and finance profession.

For Sterling Finance, the achievement represents another significant milestone in its commitment to creating professional opportunities for individuals from different educational and career backgrounds.

Since its establishment, Sterling Finance has placed professional development at the heart of its business philosophy.

The firm has supported apprentices, graduates, and aspiring accountants through professional qualifications, practical training, mentoring, and career progression, helping individuals develop the technical knowledge, confidence, and professional judgement required to succeed.

The latest recognition follows the firm's success at the British Accountancy Awards in 2019, when it won an award for its graduate and non-graduate development programme.

Seven years later, the ACCA UK Approved Employer Award reinforces the firm's sustained commitment to investing in people.

For Sterling Finance's Founder and Managing Director, Kamlesh Rajput FCCA, the recognition carries particular personal significance.

Having experienced considerable challenges establishing his professional career after arriving in the UK, Rajput credits ACCA with transforming his career prospects.

After qualifying in 2002, he established Sterling Finance and subsequently became actively involved in the profession through ACCA leadership roles, university engagements, ACCA professional education, and mentoring.

Commenting on the award, Kamlesh Rajput said:

"ACCA played a significant role in transforming my professional career. It gave me the confidence, credibility and opportunities to progress when establishing myself in the UK was far from easy.

"When I established Sterling Finance, I wanted to create opportunities for others, particularly those who had the determination and ability to succeed but needed encouragement, training and professional support.

"To receive this recognition from ACCA more than two decades later is particularly meaningful. It demonstrates that investing in people is not simply good for business, but an important responsibility we have towards the future of our profession.

"This award belongs to every member of the Sterling Finance team, past and present, whose dedication and commitment have contributed to our success."

As an ACCA-regulated accountancy practice, Sterling Finance provides accountancy, taxation and business advisory services to businesses and individuals across Greater Manchester and beyond.

The firm believes that investing in professional qualifications, continuous learning, ethical standards and leadership development is essential to maintaining high standards of client service and building a sustainable professional practice.

The award also highlights the important role independent accountancy firms can play in developing talent and supporting future generations of qualified accountants.

Rajput added:

"Professional qualifications are important, but qualifications alone do not make a successful professional. Attitude, commitment, integrity and the willingness to learn are equally important.

"Our responsibility as employers is to recognise potential, provide opportunities and support individuals in achieving their ambitions."

Sterling Finance has expressed its appreciation to ACCA for the recognition and congratulated fellow winners and nominees at the inaugural awards.

The firm intends to build on this achievement by continuing to invest in apprenticeships, professional development, and career progression.