“To be competitive in a digital nation, one must see the bigger picture in accounting. Paperless processes, remote work, and constant client contact all play a key role,” notes Liana Uudmäe, Head of Accounting at Leinonen Estonia, which has featured in Äripäev’s TOP list for 6 consecutive years.
Making the prestigious list on a consecutive basis demonstrates resilience. Leinonen’s values play a pivotal role maintaining a high level.
Individual focus on each client
One of Leinonen’s core values is personalized attention to every client.
“In our day-to-day work, we try to be there for our clients and help out as much as possible,” says Ly Selg, a chief accountant with over 20 years of experience at Leinonen.
Clients are contacted regularly to make sure their expectations are being met. Every client’s wishes are individually taken into account. Satisfaction and feedback are highly valued. The latter often also reveals opportunities for improvement.
“Today, clients value remote management and a quick and efficient flow of information,” says Liana of the company’s 2025 goal of transitioning to paperless accounting. “As a digital nation, keeping up with these developments is essential.”
Accounting for the bigger picture
Innovation aligns with Leinonen’s other core value – the pursuit of continuous improvement.
Chief Accountant Mari Sutri lays out the foundation of development at Leinonen: weekly training sessions on accounting, taxation, and legal topics. Colleagues also regularly share knowledge and skills with each other, resulting in both personal growth and a better service quality.
Accountants are increasingly expected to provide advice and take a broader view of financial matters. Mari shares an example: rather than simple bookkeeping, clients would like accountants to identify potential issues proactively, acting as strategic partners who help mitigate risks.
Supporting employee growth
Liana notes that 2024 saw significant effort being put into both recruitment and company development, something that will continue in 2025. Implementing Uku, an accounting management software, has helped accountants stay on top of their tasks.
This allows them to focus on what truly matters. Ly acknowledges that there’s always something to learn: “There’s constant self-development, whether small- or large-scale, all to provide a better, higher-quality service.”
Both Liana and Ly agree on a major advantage of working at an accounting agency – the diverse client base ensures there’s never a dull moment.
The right people and atmosphere
Liana emphasizes the value of finding employees who are a good organizational fit: “The key to growth is being surrounded by the right people. With the right team, you can grow and strive for bigger goals.”
There’s more to satisfaction than just good pay. Other benefits, such as team events, training, and working remotely, are highly sought after. “If a company can’t offer these benefits, retaining employees becomes much harder.”
Success is built on trust
Ethics and trust are central values at Leinonen – keeping promises is held in high regard. Employees and clients are valued, with collaboration and transparent communication being key to achieving results. “If something does take longer than expected, we will inform our clients of this,” adds Ly.
Äripäev has been compiling its TOP rankings since 1993. Only one percent of Estonian companies make the cut. Even fewer have been included for at least five consecutive years—just 0.32% of local enterprises.
