Archives: Agenda

• The macro outlook that matters to firms: where growth, inflation, interest rates and regulation are heading—and the knock-on impact on client demand and risk.
• Why advisory is slowing (and what replaces it): shifting client buying behaviour, procurement pressure, and how to reposition offers to protect margin.
• Pressure points and opportunity zones: where fees will compress (commodity work) versus where demand will rise (cashflow, restructuring, tax/ risk, AI/ ESG assurance, sector specialisation).

• Post‑MTD reality check: what actually changed after implementation, what worked, what broke, and the new compliance “normal.”
• Where firms still bleed money: persistent cost drains, rework, chasing clients, manual entry, onboarding delays, partner bottlenecks.
• Next-wave automation wins: the tools and workflow changes that build on MTD to cut friction, speed delivery, and protect margin.

• Direct-source audit truth: shifting from manual verification to real-time bank/fund confirmations to reduce risk and remove grunt work.
• Margin uplift through automation: where the ~30% audit margin gain comes from—faster balance sheet testing, fewer follow-ups, less rework, better staffing leverage.
• Modern audit workflow design at scale: what “good” looks like in 2026 audit ops, how to standardise across teams, and proof points/case study outcomes.

Senior representative, Circit

• PE: threat or catalyst? How investment is changing growth expectations, operating models, and what “good” looks like for firms.
• Culture and control under new ownership: practical ways to protect identity, partner incentives, client experience and quality while scaling.
• Next-decade ownership playbook: PE, hybrid/ APS models, independence via networks—what will dominate and what firms should do now to stay competitive.