Theatre 11 – Visionaries

The accounting profession is facing unprecedented disruption, with AI and emerging technologies driving seismic shifts. But alongside technological change, human-centered skills like storytelling are becoming more essential than ever, enabling firms to turn data into actionable insights and foster deeper connections with clients.

This panel brings together thought leaders to discuss how accountants can navigate an evolving landscape. We’ll explore the impact of disruption on the profession, and how storytelling can remain a powerful differentiator. Attendees will gain diverse perspectives, practical takeaways.

Running a business doesn’t have to mean being bogged down in day-to-day operations or following the traditional models that many accountancy practices cling to. I’ll share how I’ve built a successful business by challenging the norm, moving away from the traditional partner-led practice model, and focusing on creating a scalable, profitable, and value-driven business.
Many traditional practices rely on their partners to handle everything from client relationships to decision-making, which often creates bottlenecks and limits the potential for innovation and scalability.

It is not often that a new class of asset is introduced to our working lives. This, combined with the added complications of having accounting standards & tax legislation that was not designed specifically for the nuances of cryptocurrencies can make engaging with this asset class confusing and difficult.

This session will help the audience understand what cryptocurrencies are and what they are not from a financial standards perspective, how their nature may change depending on business activity or the characteristics of the cryptocurrency, and practical issues around data collection and software.

I will cover the key steps Accountants should be taking in the run-up to trying to sell their practice, how to make their practice as attractive as possible, and also to obtain the best value for the business.

I can cover the following subjects:

What is My Accountancy practice worth?
I want to carry on working can I keep some clients?
How can I keep the sale confidential?
How long might it take to sell?
When will I be paid for the business?
Clawback
Do I need Run Off Cover - PI Insurance
What about my existing premises?
Work in progress and debtors?
Handover period?
What about my staff?
Working with a broker

Fraud risks are ever-present in financial management, and while the pressures of tight deadlines are a reality, it’s important to keep both hands on the steering wheel when it comes to focusing on protecting both your clients, and your firm’s reputation.
This session will focus on the challenges accounting firms face in preventing fraud, and how firms of all sizes can safeguard their clients from potential financial crises before they occur.

This session gives accounting professionals the knowledge and strategies to strengthen fraud prevention and protect their clients in today’s complex business landscape.

It feels like every day that we hear someone mention AI, and we are told that it is going to change the world as we know it. We are undoubtedly entering a new era in the accountancy sector - with big changes on the horizon - but how can our businesses drive genuine value from this exciting technology?

This session will break-down AI into its core components, before diving into the different practical applications for our businesses and our clients. We will bring this to life by identifying a set of tangible opportunity areas, all set within the context of digital-led transformation and modern data analytics.

This session explores how accounting professionals are driving technological change by transforming practice pain points into powerful software solutions. The panel will discuss the challenges and surprises of moving from practitioner to developer and vendor, and the role of AI and automation in reshaping the industry. Attendees will gain insights into future trends and actionable strategies to stay relevant in an evolving profession. A must-attend for innovators and forward-thinking bookkeepers and accountants!

In this session, delegates will discover how the metaverse could transform accounting by:
1) Learning to engage clients using immersive virtual offices, interactive financial dashboards, and workshops, adding new value.
2) Exploring how accountants can support businesses in virtual worlds like Second Life, managing digital assets, virtual transactions, and compliance as virtual economies expand.

With this insight, delegates could equip themselves with future-ready skills to navigate this exciting frontier, unlocking new revenue opportunities and addressing emerging regulatory challenges.

In this session we will look at a number of practical ways AI can improve service delivery and provide opportunities for new service lines, and then consider the impact on key aspects of the firm. Topics include:
Quick wins with AI and technology
Models of firm hierarchy and how it is likely to change going forward
Quality Control / Review: process and policies needed now, to maintain client service quality
Pricing: considerations for different pricing models when time taken is no longer relevant

The audience will hear why accountants and accountancy firms are a key target for cyber-criminals and how they work. Sapna will also be talking about current and emerging threats facing the sector and the simple things every organisation should be doing to reduce their vulnerability to common cyber threats.

Firms face unprecedented challenges in implementing AI safely and ethically. This expert panel brings together leading voices from technology, practice and AI governance to explore critical considerations for firms navigating this complex landscape.
Our panelists will examine how firms can harness AI's transformative potential for maximum gain, while managing risks around data privacy, bias and professional standards. They will share insights on practical implementation considerations, operational challenges and best practices from a firm perspective and expertise on AI governance and risk management frameworks.