CA magazine: September 2021
By Sarah Speirs, ICAS Executive Director of Member Engagement and Communica
25 August 2021
There have been a few false starts, but at long last there’s a “new term” feeling afoot. The summer months paved the way, with restrictions lifted across the UK and staycations offering a chance to take a step back from work. But the picture is still far from clear.
Put another way, it seems certain that uncertainty will be a mainstay for the foreseeable future. Business strategists will need to be able to flex at speed.
CAs work in every sector, every role. Your decision-making has huge influence on the direction of your firm or clients, and on the wider economy. CAs have been integral in shielding business from the pandemic’s worst effects and, as attention turns from surviving to thriving, there is a new chance to demonstrate your expertise. Read President Bruce Pritchard CA discuss the crucial, quiet power of influence.
The Royal Charter that founded ICAS in 1854 enshrined our obligation to serve the public interest, as well as our members. Today, that means contributing to debates on business, national and international. It means working with government on policymaking, and educating the public about the contribution of CAs. It all adds up.
ICAS’ policy team, all world leaders in their respective fields, are integral here. They help steer government and international bodies towards decisions that empower CAs to meet their duty of care, building trust and boosting business. Each issue, this magazine features their contributions on the policy and technical briefing pages. This month, James Barbour CA, Director, Technical Policy, outlines our response to the government consultation on audit and corporate governance.
ICAS activities stretch from government offices to home ones. Our digital conference, CA Summit, returns on 5-7 October, split across three afternoons. The sessions will range from mental fitness with Alastair Campbell to CPD with Wim Focquet, Talent Director with the DPD Group, and the changing employment landscape with Julienne Loh, EVP of Enterprise Partnerships at Mastercard. You can book your place from the link below.
I look forward to your feedback from CA Summit and hope you enjoy this month’s CA magazine.