Latin American members launch fast-track secondment programme to address regional recruitment challenges
February 13, 2026
Kreston Latin America is in the process of launching a fast-track secondment programme, designed to enhance the capability of both firms and individual staff members and strengthen the proposition of Kreston member firms across the region.
The regional talent challenge
The talent shortage in the accounting industry is nothing new, and the challenge still exists. Latin America is no exception.
As the regional skills shortage persists and continues to challenge firms—making recruitment and retention an ongoing concern—Javier Sabate Payro, Audit Manager at Kreston FLS in Mexico and a member of the Kreston Latin America Regional Steering Committee, along with Eduardo Solana Franco, Transfer Pricing Manager at Kreston BSG in Mexico and a member of the Kreston Futures Emerging Talent Committee, are leading an exciting new secondment initiative. This programme aims to provide employees with personal skills development and enable firms to access vital skills swiftly.
Latin America secondments as a competitive edge
As political and economic reforms reshape markets across Latin America, firms are adapting to increasingly dynamic operating environments. Client demands are becoming increasingly sophisticated—this new secondment scheme could become a crucial tool in helping member firms maintain their competitive edge.
Through Kreston Global’s established secondment programme, staff with international aspirations can participate in Kreston’s established secondment programme, offering temporary assignments at Kreston offices worldwide, typically lasting 3 to 24 months.
Such opportunities enable individuals to gain international experience and step outside their comfort zones. In addition to offering valuable professional development, many staff members have cultivated overseas networks of contacts, strengthening relationships between the home and host firms and generating future referral opportunities. Clients also value the global perspective staff bring, a skill increasingly important to Latin American firms.
Secondments to increase regional mobility
Complementing the existing Kreston Global secondment framework, the regional programme is designed to accelerate intra-regional mobility and address shared market challenges across Latin America. Its primary objectives are to support professional and technical development, facilitate the exchange of best practices, and deepen collaboration between member firms.
Participating firms will have access to joint projects—providing opportunities to meet potential and existing clients, support cross-selling efforts, collaborate with shared clients, and receive assistance in areas where the host firm may lack expertise—along with staff training.
Collaboration opportunity
According to Payro, Latin America offers an ideal environment for such a secondment programme:
“There really is no language barrier across the region, and the geographical proximity between countries with similar laws, tax systems, and financial standards makes it straightforward for staff to move between nations. Moreover, shorter stays are less scrutinised for citizens of countries that frequently travel between places like Mexico and Guatemala or Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina, which facilitates cross-border collaboration.”
While the programme remains in its early stages, Payro hopes it will positively influence staff retention and serve as a recruitment tool. “I have used it to motivate associates at our local firm, and the feedback has been very positive,” he remarked. Franco highlighted that one of the key aims of the programme is to motivate, attract, retain, and develop talent within member firms. “Undoubtedly, it will evolve into a strong development platform, helping participants enhance both soft and technical skills,” he stated. Both
Franco and Payro anticipate that ten firms will participate within the next two years, and early responses are encouraging.
“Member firms have responded very positively,” Franco said. “We have engaged with several firms, and they are genuinely excited about the programme—especially as a new generation of young professionals seeks international experience and mobility.”
Although still in its preliminary phase, enthusiasm remains high, with confidence that the programme will deepen cooperation and strengthen relationships across the region.
Secondments as a strategic priority
The initiative reflects Kreston Latin America’s broader strategic priority of strengthening regional integration and leveraging collective expertise to compete more effectively. By choosing collaboration as a driver of growth, member firms enhance resilience, share knowledge, and respond more effectively to both regional and local developments. The programme also reinforces the region’s recruitment proposition, offering the professional and personal development opportunities increasingly sought by new talent.
