15th Annual International Accounting Forum & Awards 2025

Join leading senior players from the UK’s top Accountancy firms and International networks and Associations to collaborate upon the key themes impacting the sector and the opportunities for growth that they represent.

19

June

  • London, UK
  • Invitation only
  • Why attend?
  • 2024 Agenda
  • 2024 Speakers
  • Event Gallery
  • 2024 Sponsors
  • Media Centre
  • 2024 Awards
  • Partner with us
  • Contact Us

Why attend?

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR 2025?

 

200+

Attendees to meet each year

15+

Exhibitors to meet each year

20+

Speakers

70%

Attendees at Director+ level

200+

Attendees to meet each year

15+

Exhibitors to meet each year

20+

Speakers

70%

Attendees at Director+ level

2024 highlights

2024 Agenda

  • 19 Jun 2025
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8 AM

Registration

8:50 AM

Welcome

Speakers

Zoya Malik
Editor-in-Chief, International Accounting Bulletin
Joe Pickard
Group Editor, The Accountant and IAB

8:55 AM

Chair’s opening remarks

Speakers

ROB BROWN
Host, Accounting Influencers Podcast

SESSION ONE: Overcoming challenges and striving for growth

Speakers

ROB BROWN
Host, Accounting Influencers Podcast

9 AM

Navigating the Future of Audit & Assurance: Harnessing the Power of GenAI and Adapting to Regulatory Demands

  • Unleashing the potential of GenAI in Audit & Assurance: Exploring the transformative capabilities of GenAI, enhancing data analysis and driving innovation in the industry.
  • Adapting to regulatory demands in the AI Era: Understanding the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding AI and discussing strategies to ensure compliance and build trust with clients and stakeholders.
  • Embracing Change and thriving in the Digital Era: Highlighting the importance of agility and adaptability in embracing digital technologies.

Speakers

Gaby Rodriguez Elesgaray
Associate Director, Deloitte LLP

9:20 AM

Managing Client Business Processes in a Digital Era

  • Learn how to streamline client business workflows across your accounting practice
  • Discover the benefits of using interaction workspaces for seamless client onboarding, account management, and servicing
  • Blend both unstructured and structured interactions in one stop to drive efficiency and increase retention
  • Oversee client accounts with a complete audit trail, role management, and smooth transfer of account interactions across staff
  • Coordinate with your customers, partners, and teams to achieve joint deliverables, hit milestones, gather approvals, and more

Speakers

Shimona Pinto
UK Country Manager , MOXO

9:40 AM

The true value of association relationships

  • What is a true Association relationship? 
  • What is the value? 
  • Why is it needed, now more than ever? 

Speakers

Tony Szczepaniak
CEO, LEA Global

10 AM

Panel Discussion: A multi-generation Workforce; how to successfully engage and develop your people

  • Talent attraction and retention; what do different generations look for in a firm.
  • Working collaboratively cross-generation.
  • Identifying development needs and supporting your people to succeed.

Speakers

Lynn Radose
Product Director, Mercia Group
Jon Lisby
CEO, Global Alliance Advisers
Kate Evans
Chief People Officer, Xeinadin

10:20 AM

Panel Discussion

Speakers

ROB BROWN
Host, Accounting Influencers Podcast
Tony Szczepaniak
CEO, LEA Global
Shimona Pinto
UK Country Manager , MOXO
Roger Smith
Associate Director, Deloitte LLP
Lynn Radose
Product Director, Mercia Group

10:40 AM

Morning refreshments and networking

SESSION TWO: Technology & AI – Opportunities and Challenges

11:10 AM

The finance function & CFO office: leveraging AI to transform finance

  • Address how to accelerate and adopt automation into your firm
  • Discuss current Generative AI use cases
  • Examine the roles, responsibilities and the opportunities of deploying Gen AI

Speakers

Ash Noah
VP and Managing Director of Learning, Education and Development, AICPA-CIMA

11:30 AM

What you need to do to deploy AI in your firm

  • As accounting firms look to implement AI into their practices, what are the first steps to consider in order to become AI-ready 
  • Assess your firm's needs and readiness by identifying pain points, evaluating current systems and processes, and setting clear objectives for what you want to achieve with AI 
  • By focusing on these foundational building blocks first, your accounting firm can successfully integrate AI technologies to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making capabilities 

Speakers

Mark Edmondson
CEO, Inflo

11:50 AM

Panel Discussion: Digital disruption: embracing technology to thrive

Technological change is taking our profession by storm. Over the past 18-24 months we have seen a significant amount of change in the technology platforms used in our industry. We have seen new players appear with best of breed solutions and we have seen existing players incorporating artificial intelligence, robotic process automation (RPA) and machine learning into legacy platforms. This panel will discuss these changes and why firms need to embrace technological change in order to not just stay relevant, but to survive! 

Speakers

Jim Bourke
Global Technology Advisory Services Leader, HLB International
Michael Turner
CEO, Validis
Mike Wallace
Product Designer, DataSnipper

12:10 PM

Turn disruption into your competitive advantage: Learn how your firm can leverage AI into a successful partnership 

  • Evolving AI landscape 
  • Assessing firm readiness and capability to adopt AI 
  • Addressing key considerations around responsible AI 

Speakers

Courtney Kunzig
Industry Solutions Manager, Accounting, M-Files

12:30 PM

Panel Discussion

Speakers

ROB BROWN
Host, Accounting Influencers Podcast
Courtney Kunzig
Industry Solutions Manager, Accounting, M-Files
Mark Edmondson
CEO, Inflo
Ash Noah
VP and Managing Director of Learning, Education and Development, AICPA-CIMA
Jim Bourke
Global Technology Advisory Services Leader, HLB International

12:50 PM

Lunch and networking

SESSION THREE: Looking to the Future of Accounting- What’s Next for Talent and Growth

Speakers

Alice Grey Harrison
Managing Partner, AGH Consulting Group

1:50 PM

PAID – a framework for working smarter in the post-Pandemic era

ACCA member and 2023 Digital Finance Function Award winner Lynne Titley talks about how she uses a variety of new-generation tools and techniques to create a smarter, more flexible and effective post-pandemic working environment for her team.

Speakers

Lynne Titley
Senior Reporting & Governance Accountant for Babcock International Group, and ACCA Fellow

2:10 PM

The future is digitised: applications and outcomes of artificial intelligence

  • Discuss practical insights on the firm’s journey with automation, integration, and AI
  • Uncover real outcomes from digital transformation, such as efficiency and improved client experiences
  • Answer the question: where will the future of digital transformation take us?

Speakers

Phil Broadbery
Partner, PKF Littlejohn
Jeremy Smith
Chief Technology Officer, Suralink

2:30 PM

Winning the Talent War – Becoming the Accounting Firm ‘Employer of Choice’

  • Statistics - why are accounting firms struggling with recruitment?
  • Employer brand - how attractive are you as a desirable place to work?
  • Differentiation - what separates you from competitors in the talent pool?
  • Strategies - what does employer brand best practice look like?

Speakers

ROB BROWN
Host, Accounting Influencers Podcast

2:50 PM

The Evolving Role of Advisory – Cyber Resilience

  • Advisory Evolution and Cyber Resilience: The focus of advisory services in the profession, including cyber advisory services, will be discussed, highlighting their role in bolstering organisational and national cyber resilience.
  • Implementation and Future Outlook: A case study on HLB Ireland will be presented to illustrate the benefits and practical applications of this service. The short presentation will also cover the future direction of cyber advisory in the accounting sector, urging industry leaders to enhance cyber resilience.

Speakers

Mark Butler
Managing Partner, HLB Ireland

3:10 PM

Panel Discussion

Speakers

Alice Grey Harrison
Managing Partner, AGH Consulting Group
Phil Broadbery
Partner, PKF Littlejohn
Jeremy Smith
Chief Technology Officer, Suralink
Mark Butler
Managing Partner, HLB Ireland
ROB BROWN
Host, Accounting Influencers Podcast
Lynne Titley
Senior Reporting & Governance Accountant for Babcock International Group, and ACCA Fellow

3:30 PM

Mid-Afternoon Refreshments

SESSION FOUR: Opportunities and Trends in Sustainability

Speakers

ROB BROWN
Host, Accounting Influencers Podcast

4 PM

Sustainability reporting: where do we start?

 

  • Discuss the current situation in the Latin America region
  • Understand how sustainability reporting affects the accounting and network’s profession
  • Examine training and educational steps needed to move forward in sustainability reporting

 

Speakers

Pablo San Martín
President, SMS Latinoamerica

4:20 PM

Panel Discussion: Harnessing AI, ESG and Employee Well Being that you can attribute growth to

Participate in a whistle stop discussion of the key trends in the accounting industry- ESG, Employee Wellbeing, and Artificial Intelligence. Answer key questions about learn about how to harness these trends to create growth opportunities for the accounting industry.

Speakers

David Kerr
Chief Customer Officer, Beeye
Stephen Heathcote
CEO, PrimeGlobal
Stephanie Rix
Chief People Officer, HLB
AJ Meade
Chief Information Officer, PKF

4:40 PM

ESG reporting and assurance: an opportunity too good to miss

  • The profession needs to embrace the move to non-financial reporting and assurance, independent of the size of the firm/network
  • Advantages: responds to a need coming from investors, civil society and is also in line with what younger generations are interested in (talent attraction and retention)
  • Great business development opportunity for audit firms
  • Focus on next steps: capacity building internally and client facing, thought leadership and outreach

Speakers

Bettina Cassegrain
Global Director of Professional Standards and Sustainability Assurance, HLB

5 PM

Shaping your ESG future

  • Identify the changes and improvements needed to future proof your ESG plans
  • Recognise the value of ESG risk management, and create strategies to mitigate and prevent future challenges
  • Discuss challenges faced when analysing, applying, and reporting on ESG data

Speakers

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor
Partner & Head of Sustainability ESG, MHA the UK Member firm Baker Tilly International

5:20 PM

Panel Discussion

Speakers

ROB BROWN
Host, Accounting Influencers Podcast
Pablo San Martín
President, SMS Latinoamerica
Mark Lumsdon-Taylor
Partner & Head of Sustainability ESG, MHA the UK Member firm Baker Tilly International
Bettina Cassegrain
Global Director of Professional Standards and Sustainability Assurance, HLB
David Kerr
Chief Customer Officer, Beeye

5:40 PM

Closing remarks

6:20 PM

Drinks Reception

7:20 PM

Awards Ceremony and Dinner

2024 Speakers

Select a speaker to learn more

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ROB BROWN
Host, Accounting Influencers Podcast

Rob Brown is co-founder of the Accounting Influencers Roundtable, a think tank and door-opening club for specialists/vendors who serve the accounting/fintech profession. He runs a training company called Business Development Academy which trains busy technically smart accountants to be confident, effective work winners. He is the bestselling author of Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk ‘The Personal Brand of You' has been viewed 280K times on Youtube. He co-hosts the international podcast Accounting Influencers with Martin Bissett and is a professional host, moderator and chair for accounting/fintech events, conferences and panel discussions. He is a committed Christian, a black belt in kickboxing, enjoys backgammon, loves chocolate orange and is allergic to grapefruit.

Session Details:

SESSION FOUR: Opportunities and Trends in Sustainability

2024-06-20, 3:59 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 3:10 PM

Session Details:

Winning the Talent War – Becoming the Accounting Firm ‘Employer of Choice’

2024-06-20, 2:30 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 12:30 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 10:20 AM

Session Details:

SESSION ONE: Overcoming challenges and striving for growth

2024-06-20, 8:56 AM

Session Details:

Chair’s opening remarks

2024-06-20, 8:55 AM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 5:20 PM

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Alice Grey Harrison
Managing Partner, AGH Consulting Group

With 25 years of experience in corporate communications, Alice Grey is a seasoned professional who brings a fresh approach to strategy. Her passion lies in thriving within highly creative environments, where she navigates the complexities of change and implements sophisticated communication strategies.

Alice Grey is not just a strategist; she's a catalyst for transformation. She excels in developing and executing strategies that inform, inspire, and drive cultural shifts within organizations. Change, for her, is not just a challenge—it's an opportunity for alignment and growth. With proven results and award-winning strategies, Alice Grey is a recognized leader in the industry and frequently shares thought leadership on the global stage.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 3:10 PM

Session Details:

SESSION THREE: Looking to the Future of Accounting- What’s Next for Talent and Growth

2024-06-20, 1:49 PM

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Gaby Rodriguez Elesgaray
Associate Director, Deloitte LLP

Gaby is an Associate Director at Deloitte UK with over 15 years' experience spread across industry and financial services, starting at BNP Paribas and Banco Santander structuring fixed income derivatives, before moving to Deloitte where she specialises in guiding clients in strengthening their AI control frameworks to align with industry best practices and regulatory expectations. Gaby’s expertise extends to Generative AI where she supports firms safely adopt this technology and navigate the risks and ethical considerations introduced by the AI systems.

Session Details:

Navigating the Future of Audit & Assurance: Harnessing the Power of GenAI and Adapting to Regulatory Demands

2024-06-20, 9:00 AM

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Bettina Cassegrain
Global Director of Professional Standards and Sustainability Assurance, HLB

Bettina Cassegrain is the driving force behind HLB's commitment to professional excellence and sustainable business practices. As the Global Director of Professional Standards and Sustainability Assurance, she oversees the network's robust quality assurance programme, ensuring compliance with the stringent requirements set forth by the Forum of Firms. With a pragmatic approach to training and development, Bettina has built a culture of continuous learning within HLB. Her leadership extends to outreach initiatives focused on training, quality assurance, and related matters across Europe, Eurasia, French-speaking Africa, Latin America, and South America.

Recognising the growing importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, Bettina has led the development of a global comprehensive ESG methodology. This framework empowers businesses to navigate the complexities of sustainability reporting and assurance. Under her guidance, HLB has developed leading-edge sustainability assurance working papers and training modules, equipping professionals with the knowledge and tools to drive positive change. Bettina's dedication to professional standards and sustainability assurance has solidified HLB's reputation as a global leader in delivering exceptional client services while promoting responsible business practices that create long-term value and sustainable impact for stakeholders and society at large.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 5:20 PM

Session Details:

ESG reporting and assurance: an opportunity too good to miss

2024-06-20, 4:40 PM

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Zoya Malik
Editor-in-Chief, International Accounting Bulletin

Session Details:

Welcome

2024-06-20, 8:50 AM

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Joe Pickard
Group Editor, The Accountant and IAB

Session Details:

Welcome

2024-06-20, 8:50 AM

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Pablo San Martín
President, SMS Latinoamerica

Professional performance  

- Former member of Pistrelli, Díaz y Asociados (Arthur Andersen & Co.).

- Director, trustee and member of the auditing team of several companies, coordinating the development and implementation of different application systems.

- Author of different articles on taxes and accounting in national media and industry publications.

Teaching background

- Professor of the PIADeF – International Fraud Audit and Detection Program organized by SMS Latin America and the University of Bologna.

- Guest professor and speaker in numerous academic fields on topics of his specialty (University of Buenos Aires, ITBA, University of Palermo, Xavier University, State University of New York, etc.).

- Frequent speaker at Seminars and Technical Conferences of his specialty

- He was a professor of Accounting and Management Chairs at the University of Buenos Aires and Intermediate Accounting at the University of Salvador.

- Participated as an instructor in various training courses in different companies on Accounting and Auditing.

Proffesional Training

- Current Professional Meetings (EPA).

o Current Professional Meetings

o Performance Factors / Emotional Intelligence

o Personality / Myers-Briggs Model

o Writing Workshop

o Fraud Prevention Workshop

o Gender and Diversity

Session Details:

Sustainability reporting: where do we start?

2024-06-20, 4:00 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 5:20 PM

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Lynne Titley
Senior Reporting & Governance Accountant for Babcock International Group, and ACCA Fellow

Lynne is an ACCA Fellow with 25 years of finance operations experience, much of which has been spent actively leading finance teams through change. A natural systems thinker and technology evangelist, Lynne has been involved in a wide variety of software implementations and change projects across organisations both large and small, and has a wide and deep understanding of the many factors that can influence their success. Lynne led her team to a win in the SME Finance Team of the Year category at the GENCFO Digital Finance Function Awards in 2023, and is currently on contract to Babcock International, leading the implementation of a new rolling reforecast model and process across its £1bn revenue Land Sector.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 3:10 PM

Session Details:

PAID – a framework for working smarter in the post-Pandemic era

2024-06-20, 1:50 PM

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Courtney Kunzig
Industry Solutions Manager, Accounting, M-Files

Courtney is a member of the industry solutions team with a focus on the accounting vertical. She has years of experience identifying inefficiencies and improving processes in the accounting field and has worked with industries ranging from SaaS to midstream oil and gas, real estate, and consumer products.

Courtney holds a CPA license and a master's degree in Accountancy.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 12:30 PM

Session Details:

Turn disruption into your competitive advantage: Learn how your firm can leverage AI into a successful partnership 

2024-06-20, 12:10 PM

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Phil Broadbery
Partner, PKF Littlejohn

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 3:10 PM

Session Details:

The future is digitised: applications and outcomes of artificial intelligence

2024-06-20, 2:10 PM

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Mark Edmondson
CEO, Inflo

Mark has spent his career developing technology that empowers accounting firms with cutting-edge computing power. Mark started his career in a small-town accounting practice before earning his stripes at a Big Four firm leading audit and consulting engagements. He founded Inflo to revolutionize the broader audit and accounting profession with next-generation software. Mark is now influencing the advancement of audit at a global level. He is a member of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s (IAASB) Technology Working Group and Less Complex Entities Reference Group, as well as chairing the AICPAs Data Standards Working Group. Mark also supports professional accounting bodies around the world.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 12:30 PM

Session Details:

What you need to do to deploy AI in your firm

2024-06-20, 11:30 AM

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Ash Noah
VP and Managing Director of Learning, Education and Development, AICPA-CIMA

Ash Noah - CPA, FCMA, CGMA, is VP and Managing Director of Learning, Education and Development, at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.
In this position, Ash leads the Research, Examinations and Learning product development for the
Management Accounting Unit.
Ash works closely with CFOs and Business Finance Leaders globally, identifying the trends that are
impacting practitioners, businesses and the profession in order to ensure that the Association’s Finance
Competency Framework, Syllabus, Examinations and Learning solutions remain effective and are
producing competencies to operate and remain relevant in the practice of Business Finance.
Ash was formerly the CFO of the International Unit of TNT, A global express logistics provider and has
led finance transformation in teams across 45 countries. He is a Chartered Global Management
Accountant (CGMA), licensed US CPA and member of the American Institute of CPA’s (AICPA). He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
Ash has a passion for flying and is an avid aviator.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 12:30 PM

Session Details:

The finance function & CFO office: leveraging AI to transform finance

2024-06-20, 11:10 AM

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Tony Szczepaniak
CEO, LEA Global

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 10:20 AM

Session Details:

The true value of association relationships

2024-06-20, 9:40 AM

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Shimona Pinto
UK Country Manager , MOXO

Shimona comes from a legal background and works with Moxo EMEA clients to modernize their client interaction workflows. She specialises in helping clients control the chaos of client management by orchestrating end-to-end client collaboration with the power of their one-stop client portal.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 10:20 AM

Session Details:

Managing Client Business Processes in a Digital Era

2024-06-20, 9:20 AM

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Mark Lumsdon-Taylor
Partner & Head of Sustainability ESG, MHA the UK Member firm Baker Tilly International

Mark is Partner at MHA Baker Tilly International (BTI) (Ranked 9th largest in the world) specialising in Global Assurance, Financial Turnaround, Fashion & Cosmetics, Food Manufacture & Rural Industries. He leads the MHA UK ESG Audit & Advisory function. He is also engaged in food retail, and consumer industries and a multi award winning turnaround specialist

Mark trained at Macintyre Hudson and has remained with the firm, aside from a 15 year in industry role, building a national educational commercial organisation investing over £100m, Employing 1300 staff, working with 1000s of national and international businesses, leverage GDP in the south east and enable nearly 78,000 students to be educated. He pioneered the world class sustainability Eco Project at Betteshanger park (Kent) (being the longest building in Europe at that time) in a £30m Regeneration project. Mark has been in the C-Suite understanding the challenges facing national and international businesses.

Mark has delivered numerous turnarounds from financial services through to rural businesses, and national institutions.

Mark Charis Rural Policy Group – a think tank and advocate for sustainable rural policy across the United Kingdom linking food & farming to public health and environmental sustainability. The policy group launched its National Green Futures Report in 2021 to set the foundations for a rural-first approach to economic policy-making for a more sustainable UK plc. He is directly connected into Westminster and works on a non partisan basis with government to support the industries MHA Serves.

Mark has won numerous awards for his work including National Finance Director of the year 2007, Accounting for sustainability National award 2012 (ICEAW), National Business Finance Director 2014 (Finance Director) and the Institute of Directors (IOD) blue ribbon award for Governance and Finance excellence in 2018.

He is a Liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, a Member of the Guild of Freemen, A member of the livery of Chartered Accountants, IoD South East Lead for ESG and a member of the CBI’s South East Council.

Session Details:

Shaping your ESG future

2024-06-20, 5:00 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 5:20 PM

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David Kerr
Chief Customer Officer, Beeye

With over 25 years of work experience, I am a seasoned SaaS work management and planning expert with a passion for helping accounting, auditing, and consulting firms optimize their workflows and productivity. I am currently the Chief Customer Officer at Beeye, a SaaS solution that enables firms to plan, manage, and track their projects, resources, and profitability. I am driven by the mission of Beeye to empower firms to achieve their goals with greater efficiency, visibility, and collaboration. I bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the team, having worked in different markets, industries, and roles throughout my career.

As the Chief Customer Officer, I am responsible for getting validation for Beeye in all international markets outside of France, and delivering $600K CAD of revenue from scratch in new markets including the US and UK. I built and executed the go-to-market strategy for the international markets, and led a team of 7 professionals across sales, marketing, and customer success functions. I leveraged my skills in new business development, strategy, and product management to engage with global accounting networks and associations at C-suite level, and to build and close a global pipeline of prospects and customers. I also represented Beeye in all large-scale events, webinars, and podcasts, showcasing the value and benefits of our solution to the industry.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Harnessing AI, ESG and Employee Well Being that you can attribute growth to

2024-06-20, 4:20 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 5:20 PM

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Stephen Heathcote
CEO, PrimeGlobal

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Harnessing AI, ESG and Employee Well Being that you can attribute growth to

2024-06-20, 4:20 PM

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Roger Smith
Associate Director, Deloitte LLP

Roger is an Associate Director in Deloitte’s Markets Assurance group, with a particular focus on algorithms and regulatory change. He has a deep understanding of algorithms, gained through over 20 years of experience in the UK and in Europe, and has a thorough technical knowledge of the regulatory landscape related to Artificial Intelligence. As a senior member of the Algorithm Assurance team, Roger has been a key figure in the design and development of Deloitte’s methodology for auditing AI. He has also supported numerous technology companies in their development of control frameworks for regulatory compliance as they move through this period of major change.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 10:20 AM

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Jim Bourke
Global Technology Advisory Services Leader, HLB International

Jim is HLB’s Global Technology Advisory Services Leader and has over 30 years of experience in the sector. He frequently meets with our regional technology leaders around the globe to share best practices and to help insure consistency in technology advisory offerings by our member firms.

Jim is also a Partner, Member of the Board of Directors and Management Committee at Withum, is Director of Firm Technology and Managing Director of Advisory Services. He leads the cloud solutions, business advisory, cyber, data analytics, info-security and transactional services initiatives for the firm.

Jim is a frequent speaker around the globe for HLB and many Accounting Societies and International Accounting and Trade Associations, the AICPA, Industry Technology Organizations, Incubators, Accelerators and others on topics specifically related to various accounting, technology, practice management and advisory services topics.

Jim has been continually named by Accounting Today as one of the Top 100 Most Influential people in the Accounting profession and has been named by The CPA Technology Advisor as a Top Thought Leader in Public Accounting Technology year after year.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 12:30 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Digital disruption: embracing technology to thrive

2024-06-20, 11:50 AM

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Jeremy Smith
Chief Technology Officer, Suralink

Jeremy Smith is the Chief Technology Officer at Suralink. Jeremy has more than 20 years of experience building and running commercial software products and successful engineering, product, quality assurance, and operations teams. Jeremy has served in executive and board advisory roles at multiple companies, most recently as Head of Engineering at Teem by iOffice and previously as Chief Technology Officer of SambaSafety.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 3:10 PM

Session Details:

The future is digitised: applications and outcomes of artificial intelligence

2024-06-20, 2:10 PM

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Stephanie Rix
Chief People Officer, HLB

Stephanie is an inspirational leader, with over 20 years experience driving People and ESG strategies across diverse industries; she brings a wealth of experience in leading practice HR and change management methodologies to drive business performance.

Prior to recently joining HLB, Stephanie was a Director in EYs People Consulting practice and has held senior Transformation roles at major global organisations like Pearson, AXA and the Cooperative Group.  Whilst at EY, she led the organization design of EY Ripples; an ambitious corporate responsibility program intended to positively impact the lives of 1 billion people by 2030.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Harnessing AI, ESG and Employee Well Being that you can attribute growth to

2024-06-20, 4:20 PM

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AJ Meade
Chief Information Officer, PKF

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Harnessing AI, ESG and Employee Well Being that you can attribute growth to

2024-06-20, 4:20 PM

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Jon Lisby
CEO, Global Alliance Advisers

Global Alliance Advisory Services www.globalallianceadvisers.com +44(0)7850 660983

Jon is the founder of Global Alliance Advisory Services (“GAAS”), the leadership support consultancy
uniquely dedicated to serve international accounting networks and associations. The GAAS team
comprises former CEOs and Executives based in the UK, Mainland Europe, and the USA.
GAAS focuses on the development and implementation of growth strategies, facilitating merger
opportunities and assisting across the broadest range of operational issues for central offices. For
networks, GAAS offers an outsourced global quality management, monitoring and inspection service.
Managing global independence reporting effectively is a major issue for the networks and GAAS was
instrumental in the development of the Zenzero Global Alliance Hub which utilises the Microsoft
Power Platform and Microsoft 365 to deliver a cost effective cloud-based solution to fully automate
the process. The module can also be applied to gather and collate information from the global
membership such as the IAB survey requirements.

Jon is best known from his days as CEO of Kreston International which he led for 13 years until 2019
having previously been Managing Partner of a 9 office UK practice. During his long career in the
profession, Jon has managed accounting practices at every level - regional, national, and global.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: A multi-generation Workforce; how to successfully engage and develop your people

2024-06-20, 10:00 AM

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Kate Evans
Chief People Officer, Xeinadin

An Executive-level Human Resources professional with Financial and Professional Services experience; specialising in building high-performing teams focused on commercial and strategic solutions, with expertise in working with PE-backed businesses focused on high-growth models involving transformation and integration activities.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: A multi-generation Workforce; how to successfully engage and develop your people

2024-06-20, 10:00 AM

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Lynn Radose
Product Director, Mercia Group

Lynn leads Mercia’s Product Strategy and strategic relationships and supports firms of all sizes to nurture and develop their people.  As a qualified accountant, she has spent the last 20 years in Accountancy education, both with training providers and within practice as Director of Learning at a mid-tier practice. With this experience, Lynn is uniquely placed to advise firms on modern and innovative practices for technical learning across all areas of the profession and to design engaging learning which drives performance.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 10:20 AM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: A multi-generation Workforce; how to successfully engage and develop your people

2024-06-20, 10:00 AM

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Mark Butler
Managing Partner, HLB Ireland

Mark Butler, as the dedicated Managing Partner at HLB Ireland, is at the forefront of the firm's expansion and consultancy services, ensuring a steadfast commitment to our clients and partners.

Mark Butler's extensive experience in accountancy, as a member of both the Institute of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland, and as a registered auditor in Ireland and the UK, instils confidence in his expertise. With over two decades of strategic business planning and advisory across diverse Irish and international market sectors, Mark is a seasoned professional. His leadership has been instrumental in assisting high-achieving entrepreneurs through comprehensive accounting and advisory services.

Additionally, he holds significant roles outside HLB, including Non-Executive Director at FutureRange, a Technology and Cyber Security Business and a Director and Council Member position at HLB International Limited.

As the Managing Partner of HLB Ireland, Mark Butler is instrumental in charting the firm's strategic course and managing its operational activities. An early adopter of technology, Mark has a strategic focus on encouraging the team to integrate innovative solutions to drive the firm’s progression, ensuring it meets and surpasses its goals of delivering exceptional client service. His deep expertise in governance, compliance, and cross-border financial practices, combined with a robust advisory service, makes him a pivotal figure in navigating the intricacies of international advisory. Under his leadership, the firm adheres to and strategically aligns with global compliance standards while providing top-tier advisory services, maintaining a cutting-edge approach to advisory services.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion

2024-06-20, 3:10 PM

Session Details:

The Evolving Role of Advisory – Cyber Resilience

2024-06-20, 2:50 PM

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Michael Turner
CEO, Validis
Michael's career has been shaped by his passion for solving problems with the use of data and technology. With over 13 years at Oliver Wyman, where he served as a Partner and Head of the London office, he gained extensive consulting expertise. However, it was during his tenure at Coalition Greenwich, a data analytics specialist firm, that he witnessed firsthand the transformative power of data-driven insights enabled by cutting-edge fintech solutions and the pivotal role these technologies play in driving innovation. 
Today, Michael is the CEO of Validis, a leading fintech that harnesses the power of technology to unlock financial data insights for accounting firms, financial services organizations, and small businesses. Michael firmly believes that leveraging data-driven insights through innovative technologies is crucial for delivering exceptional customer experiences and fostering more rewarding jobs. 

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Digital disruption: embracing technology to thrive

2024-06-20, 11:50 AM

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Mike Wallace
Product Designer, DataSnipper

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Digital disruption: embracing technology to thrive

2024-06-20, 11:50 AM

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2024 Sponsors

Select a sponsor to learn more

Gold Partners

Silver Partners

Bronze Partners

Exhibitors

Registration Sponsor

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2024 Awards

International Accounting Awards 2024

2024 Winners

  • NETWORK OF THE YEAR

    Winner

    Highly Commended

    Russell Bedford International

    Finalists

    Moore Global
    RSM International

  • ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR

    Winner

    Highly Commended

    PrimeGlobal

    Finalists

    Abacus Worldwide
    Praxity Alliance

  • DIGITAL INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

    Winner

     

    Finalists

    Deloitte & Touche LLP
    Joinson & Spice
    KPMG
    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
    PKF Global
    Withum (HLB USA)

  • DIVERSITY, EQUALITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

    Winner

    Highly Commended

    RSM International

    Finalists

    BDO Brazil
    MGI Worldwide
    Nexia SAB&T
    PrimeGlobal

  • PROFESSIONAL BODY OF THE YEAR

    Winner

    Finalist

    AICPA & CIMA

  • ESG/ Sustainability Initiative of the Year (Network/ Association)

    Winner

     

    Finalists

    ACCA
    Kreston Global
    MHA, UK Member firm Baker Tilly International

  • ACCOUNTANCY SOFTWARE OF THE YEAR (VENDOR)

    Winner

     

    Highly Commended

    Xama Technologies

    Finalists

    Inflo Software
    MyWorkpapers
    Syft Analytics

  • ACCOUNTANCY APP OF THE YEAR

    Winner

     

    Finalists

    Active Workpapers
    Syft Analytics
    T-Tech

  • SaaS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR

    Winner

     

    Highly Commended

    Summa Tech

    Finalists

    AccountsIQ
    Beeye
    Syft Analytics
    Validis
    Ware Centric
    Xama Technologies

  • AI INNOVATION INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

    Winner

     

     

    Highly Commended

    HLB Ireland

    Finalists

    Beeye
    Citygate Accountants
    KPMG
    Moxo
    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
    SPC NXT.

  • CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR (VENDOR)

    Winner

    Finalists

    Anna Money
    Addison Accounts
    Beeye
    Inflo Software
    Moxo
    Suralink

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

  • YOUNG ACCOUNTANT OF THE YEAR

    Gerke van Garderen

  • Accounting Leader of the Year 2024

    Stephen Hamlet, CEO

  • Personality of the Year

    Francesca Lagerberg

  • Lifetime Achievement Award

    Jean Stephens,  CEO

Partner with us

The International Accounting Forum & Awards brings together senior players from the UK’s top Accountancy firms and International networks and Associations. Our audience includes the likes of KPMG, Baker Tilly, Goodman Jones, Moore and PWC.

By choosing to partner with us, you can expect fruitful opportunity to network and connect face-to-face with key decision makers within the industry. We bring the right people under one roof to ensure that your brand is seen directly by an exclusive audience of senior buyers. With extended networking breaks, a dedicated exhibition area within the venue, and a prestigious awards ceremony in the evening there is plentiful opportunity to meet and collaborate with new people, develop meaningful connections and form long-lasting partnerships.

 

BRANDING

Build brand awareness among the prospective customer base.

Get your brand front of mind.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Promote your unique solutions and demonstrate your capabilities.

Directly address your audience.

LEAD GENERATION

Meet C-level executives you would not otherwise have met.

Create viable new business opportunities with decision makers.

Gain ROI.


Our Audience

Media Centre

International Accounting Bulletin

The Accountant

Enquiry

Contact Us

SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES

Ray Giddings

Director of Events

+44 (0) 20 3096 2585

SPEAKER ENQUIRIES

Nina Beddoe

Conference Producer

+44 20 4540 7650

MARKETING ENQUIRIES

Madelayne Goodall

Marketing Manager

SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES

To enquire about sponsorship opportunities for the conference, please contact

Ray Giddings

Director of Events


+44 (0)20 7936 6512 M. +44 (0)7803 393327

SPEAKER ENQUIRIES

To enquire about speaking opportunities for the conference, please contact:

Nina Beddoe

Conference Producer


+44 20 4540 7650