Instead of sitting around fretting about the candidate-short market Gilligan & Company has travelled overseas to train people with New Zealand accounting skills.

The aim is to fill positions within the company without having to resort to second-rate local candidates.

Allan Gilligan admits it is a slow process, but worth the effort. A recent trip to the Philippines, where English is the language used for business, has already yielded one quality candidate - a former CPA in Manila.

"We are happy so far - but it takes time. Filipinos want to come to here and they have good skills to offer. However the New Zealand Immigration Service is very slow to process applications; it can take six months to a year.

"Having said that, I have taken on one person from the Philippines who is an excellent worker, quick on the uptake and with good English. I will probably take on the next one to come in also."

Gilligan & Company runs an Accounting and Business School in New Zealand, so it was a fairly simple matter for it to put candidates through its course and test them in Manila.

Mr Gilligan says: "Progress is slow but at least we are getting better results and maintaining client service than if we relied, as others are, solely on the New Zealand market."

For more information about Gilligan & Company: www.gilligan.co.nz