ICAS webinars 2020: An essential round-up

Our Ask ICAS webinar series was launched in response to the pandemic. This webinar series was aimed at helping Members stay up to date with the latest developments related to coronavirus and its effects on business and practice.

• We ran 34 webinars from April to December with a total of 5,364 registrations.

Here’s some of the highlights from the Ask ICAS series:

• 2 July – Preparing for a return to office working
• 9 July – The future of hospitality, tourism and leisure
• 16 July – Should tax advisers be regulated and if so who by?
• 23 July – AML update
• 6 August – HR in a remote environment – redundancies, hiring, disciplinary
• 13 August – The future of UK taxation – reformed and digital
• 3 September – VAT update
• 24 September – In conversation with the Small Business Commissioner
• 1 October – Practice pitfalls and how to avoid them
• 22 October – The pressures of practice
• 19 November – Managing risk in the tax practice

Our ICAS Insights webinar series was aimed at bringing you thoughtful content and insight into different business areas.

• We ran 23 webinars from April to December with a total of 2,506 registrations.

Some of our highlights from the ICAS Insights series include the following.

12 May – Mental fitness in focus

Trying to keep physically fit and healthy is something many of us include in our daily routines. But how many of us give our mental fitness the same attention as we give our physical fitness? Lianne Stewart CA and Jonny Jacobs CA talk mental fitness and share their practical tips for staying healthy.

3 June – In conversation with the ICAS Office Bearers

This webinar provides an opportunity to hear directly from the three ICAS Office Bearers and they share their thoughts on the CA Agenda themes of Technology, Trust and Talent.

9 June – Coronavirus and its impact on the global economy

A panel of three speakers including James Barbour, ICAS Director of Policy Leadership, Trevor Williams, Professor of Economics and Finance, and Scott Hanson, Policy Principal at the International Federation of Accountants, discuss what the lasting effects of COVID-19 on the global economy and society may be.

7 July - Speak up? Listen up? Whistleblow?

Led by James Barbour, we hear from Catriona Paisey, Professor of Accounting at the University of Glasgow, and Paul Boyle OBE, Chair of whistleblowing charity Protect, about how CAs can take a stand and speak up.

22 July – In conversation with Kate Forbes MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Kate Forbes MSP, speaks about the Scottish Government’s current priorities and response to COVID-19 and answers Members’ questions.

25 Aug - Creating a culture of inclusivity

Keynote speaker Matt Lindley shares his personal experience of the transformational effect of inclusive leadership. Matt talks candidly about being one of the first openly gay pilots in the UK Armed Forces and uses his experience to highlight the benefits of positive culture change and how to be an inclusive leader / ally.

18 Sep – In conversation with Mel Stride MP, Alison Thewliss MP and Lucy O'Carroll

Chair of the House of Commons Treasury Committee, Mel Stride MP, Committee Member Alison Thewliss MP, and Director of Taxation in the Scottish Government, Lucy O’Carroll, discuss the Committee’s open inquiry ‘tax after coronavirus’.

29 Sep – Challenging conversations – bullying in the profession

Hosted in partnership with the Law Society of Scotland and Adam Smith Business School, this webinar provides examples of bullying experienced by members of the accountancy and legal professions and explores what needs to be done by organisations to eradicate such behaviour.

20 Oct – Challenging racial inequality in the workplace

An informal panel discussion exploring equality, diversity and inclusion in business. Our speakers share their personal career journeys, the challenges they have faced because of their skin colour, and the changes they have seen over the years.

28 Oct – How has the US performed after 4 years of President Trump?

As the US elections loomed, economist Trevor Williams and former British Ambassador to the US Sir Christopher Meyer share perspectives on the country past, present and future.

10 Nov – Social mobility in the accountancy profession

How can we ensure the accountancy profession is open and accessible to all? In this webinar we learn about the latest research in this area and what we can do to improve social mobility and access to the profession.

24 Nov – CAs can be a force for good

As we celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Power of One, this webinar offers an opportunity to reflect on what has happened in the last five years and explore recent and forthcoming changes to the Code of Ethics.

8 Dec – Risk, resilience and sustainability

As international governments and standard-setters place sustainability at the top of their agenda, our speakers look at the importance of corporate resilience and how companies can embed sustainability within their strategy, scenario planning and corporate reporting.

We will be continuing a programme of webinars in 2021 and, using the feedback our Members have provided so far, we aim to improve and further enhance our offering.

We already have three webinars planned for the start of the year which are open for registration.

12 January – ICAS Insights: How to lead like an entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are often described as the lifeblood of the economy. They help shape the business landscape and generate new job opportunities, create new solutions to everyday problems and represent some of the most innovative individuals in the business landscape.

But there is much more to being an entrepreneur than starting your own business. Leading like an entrepreneur requires a blend of being able to recognise a fantastic idea, whether that’s your own or someone else’s, and having the drive to make that dream a reality.

Join our webinar to learn how to apply an entrepreneurial mindset to your career, whether that is starting your own venture or using these skills to bring a great idea to life in your organisation.

20 January – Career conversations

Aimed at those starting out their career, this webinar will answer some questions about a career as a CA. Chaired by ICAS Deputy President Bruce Pritchard CA, the webinar will be a chance to hear from three CAs who have all recently taken giant strides in their own successful CA careers.

9 February – ICAS Insights: The business of food and drink

Against a backdrop of Brexit, climate change and COVID-19, this webinar will explore the future of the food industry. What impact will these have on the industry and how can it adapt as the world around us changes.

Our host, CA magazine Editor Laurence Eastham, will lead us through the webinar as we hear from four leading CAs from across the industry. Our speakers will shed light on the state of the food industry and where we’re heading next.