14th Annual International Accounting Forum & Awards 2024

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.

20

June

  • Park Plaza Victoria London
  • Invitation only
  • Why attend?
  • Agenda
  • Speakers
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Event Gallery
  • Sponsors
  • Media Centre
  • Awards
  • Partner with us
  • Contact Us

Why attend?

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR 2024?

 

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

Agenda

  • 20 Jun 2024
Expand All

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

Keynote speaker: Strategic synergies: navigating partnerships in modern accounting practices

  • Explore best practices for strategic partnerships for building and leveraging industry connections
  • Address the importance of succession planning for leadership transition
  • Discuss how partnerships and alliances will impact the integration of technology and infrastructure

 

Speakers

Simon Stephens
Partner, Audit & Assurance, Deloitte

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

Utilising data analytics to promote your business growth

  • How can we use data to pinpoint trends and weaknesses?
  • Can the implementation of data analytics promote growth?
  • Discuss how data can leverage your data analytics, customer market, and key digital trends

Speakers

Tony Szczepaniak
CEO, LEA Global

10 AM

Unlocking value through accounting: the integral role of financial reporting in private equity deals

  • Discuss key accounting considerations for 2025 in private equity
  • What reporting solutions can we implement to maximise returns?
  • How is private equity impacting your businesses?

 

Reserved for Mercia Group

10:20 AM

Panel Discussion: What are accounting firms doing to expand their businesses?

  • How has the industry changed, and what can we learn from these changes?
  • Discuss strategies to increase business efficiency
  • How are current businesses upscaling their profits?

Speakers

ROB BROWN
Host, Accounting Influencers Podcast
Tony Szczepaniak
CEO, LEA Global
Shimona Pinto
UK Country Manager , MOXO

10:40 AM

Morning refreshments and networking

SESSION TWO: Levelling up digital transformation

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

Deploying AI for practical use

  • Discover how AI technology can boost workplace efficiency, and discuss where to start
  • How can automated products can benefit your organisation, clients, and ultimately help you reach your 2025 goals?

 

Speakers

Mark Edmondson
CEO, Inflo

11:50 AM

Dealing with change; moving from legacy systems to integrated technology models

  • How do you manage the split between new SAS providers and using legacy systems?
  • What should we be doing to innovate and move forward from our legacy systems?
  • Discuss strategies to deal with periods of change

12:10 PM

The tech stack of the future: the tools you’ll need tomorrow

  • Benefits of AI and how to get your firm ready
  • Key considerations on how to build an agile tech stack for firm growth and scalability
  • What new offerings, such as CAS and ESG will affect your tech stack

Speakers

Courtney Kunzig
Industry Solutions Manager, Accounting, M-Files

12:30 PM

Panel Discussion: Best use cases of AI technology for your customer and employee experience

  • Discuss how current businesses are implementing AI technology
  • Discover the benefits of an AI integrated system for workplace efficiency and wellbeing

Speakers

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

12:50 PM

Lunch and networking

SESSION THREE: Building resilient and conscious culture

Speakers

Alice Grey Harrison
Managing Partner, AGH Consulting Group

1:50 PM

Rebranding the industry for the next generation of accountants

  • Discover strategies to help rebrand your industry and increase your talent
  • What can we learn from accounting graduates? How would they improve the industry?
  • Should we be using benefits to incentivise employee retention and recruitment?

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

Miguel Perez
Director of Product, Suralink
Phil Broadbery
Partner, PKF Littlejohn

2:30 PM

Can AI technology increase our staff retention?

  • Discuss how integrating AI technology can boost your business’ operational agility, but also your staff retention challenges
  • How does streamlining workflow systems attract new clients and business optimisation?
  • Consider strategies to overcome challenges during this transition and support our clients and staff?

2:50 PM

Implementing social media and branding to promote talent growth

  • How does your social media presence affect your recruitment process?
  • Discover strategies to enhance your social media presence and engagement
  • How does using social media and branding can help reach the next generation of accountants?

 

3:10 PM

Panel Discussion: Company culture vs industry culture: what needs to change for future improvement?

  • What trends should firms consider to increase staff retention and recruitment?
  • How can industry leaders help improve company culture?
  • What approaches should we be considering in 2025 to boost engagement?
  • How is the pace of change such as market changes, technology disruptions, workforce preferences, impacting culture – both within the industry and within companies?

Speakers

Miguel Perez
Director of Product, Suralink
Phil Broadbery
Partner, PKF Littlejohn
Alice Grey Harrison
Managing Partner, AGH Consulting Group

3:30 PM

Mid-Afternoon Refreshments and Prize Draw Announcement

SESSION FOUR: Sustainability and environmental action

Speakers

Christine Nicholson
Award-Winning Business Mentor, Author and Speaker

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 Latino America

4:20 PM

Panel discussion: Reserved for Adrien Sicard, CEO, Beeye

Speakers

Adrien Sicard
CEO, Beeye

4:40 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

5 PM

Panel Discussion: How do we set our ESG goals?

  • Discuss regulatory demands and changes, and how to navigate these challenges into your goals
  • How are businesses navigating current ESG demands?
  • Become ESG ready for 2025

Speakers

Christine Nicholson
Award-Winning Business Mentor, Author and Speaker
Pablo San Martín
President, SMS Latino America
Adrien Sicard
CEO, Beeye

5:20 PM

Closing remarks

5:50 PM

Drinks Reception

6:50 PM

Awards Ceremony and Dinner

Speakers

Select a speaker to learn more

Back
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:

Panel Discussion: What are accounting firms doing to expand their businesses?

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

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Christine Nicholson
Award-Winning Business Mentor, Author and Speaker

Session Details:

SESSION FOUR: Sustainability and environmental action

2024-06-20, 3:59 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: How do we set our ESG goals?

2024-06-20, 5:00 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
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: Company culture vs industry culture: what needs to change for future improvement?

2024-06-20, 3:10 PM

Session Details:

SESSION THREE: Building resilient and conscious culture

2024-06-20, 1:49 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Zoya Malik
Editor-in-Chief, International Accounting Bulletin

Session Details:

Welcome

2024-06-20, 8:50 AM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Joe Pickard
Group Editor, The Accountant and IAB

Session Details:

Welcome

2024-06-20, 8:50 AM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Pablo San Martín
President, SMS Latino America

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: How do we set our ESG goals?

2024-06-20, 5:00 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
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: Best use cases of AI technology for your customer and employee experience

2024-06-20, 12:30 PM

Session Details:

The tech stack of the future: the tools you’ll need tomorrow

2024-06-20, 12:10 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Miguel Perez
Director of Product, Suralink

Miguel Perez is the Head of Product at Suralink, where he’s responsible for the vision and direction of the Suralink platform. Before joining Suralink, Miguel led product teams for leading companies like Berkadia, Control4, Symantec, and others. Miguel has a Computer Science degree from the University of Phoenix.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Company culture vs industry culture: what needs to change for future improvement?

2024-06-20, 3:10 PM

Session Details:

The future is digitised: applications and outcomes of artificial intelligence

2024-06-20, 2:10 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Phil Broadbery
Partner, PKF Littlejohn

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Company culture vs industry culture: what needs to change for future improvement?

2024-06-20, 3:10 PM

Session Details:

The future is digitised: applications and outcomes of artificial intelligence

2024-06-20, 2:10 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
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: Best use cases of AI technology for your customer and employee experience

2024-06-20, 12:30 PM

Session Details:

Deploying AI for practical use

2024-06-20, 11:30 AM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Simon Stephens
Partner, Audit & Assurance, Deloitte

Session Details:

Keynote speaker: Strategic synergies: navigating partnerships in modern accounting practices

2024-06-20, 9:00 AM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
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: Best use cases of AI technology for your customer and employee experience

2024-06-20, 12:30 PM

Session Details:

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

2024-06-20, 11:10 AM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Tony Szczepaniak
CEO, LEA Global

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: What are accounting firms doing to expand their businesses?

2024-06-20, 10:20 AM

Session Details:

Utilising data analytics to promote your business growth

2024-06-20, 9:40 AM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Adrien Sicard
CEO, Beeye

Session Details:

Panel discussion: Reserved for Adrien Sicard, CEO, Beeye

2024-06-20, 4:20 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: How do we set our ESG goals?

2024-06-20, 5:00 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
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: What are accounting firms doing to expand their businesses?

2024-06-20, 10:20 AM

Session Details:

Managing Client Business Processes in a Digital Era

2024-06-20, 9:20 AM

View In Agenda
Next speaker

Plan Your Visit

Venue

Park Plaza Victoria

239 Vauxhall Bridge Rd, Pimlico, London SW1V 1EQ

Accommodation

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Sponsors

Select a sponsor to learn more

Gold Partners

Silver Partners

Bronze Partners

Exhibitors

Registration Sponsor

VIP Table Host Sponsors

Awards

International Accounting Awards 2024

 

The International Accounting Awards 2024 will celebrate excellence in accounting, drawing attention to the achievements of the past twelve months from accounting firms, associations, networks and technology providers.

Nominations are now open!

Take a look at the award categories below, and download the nomination form for details on how to enter.

Good luck!

The deadline for entries is 5pm BST on 6th May 2024.

 

2024 Award Categories

  • NETWORK OF THE YEAR

    The network of the year will have demonstrated strong revenue growth, the development of an international brand, and ambition to increase its presence across multiple geographical regions/ jurisdictions. It will have delivered high quality work for its local and cross-border clients across audit, advisory and tax service lines. This network will be agile in reacting to market challenges and opportunities facing the global accountancy profession.

  • ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR

    The Association of the year will have demonstrated strong revenue growth, industry leading client services, and ambition for acquiring members across multiple geographical regions/ jurisdictions. It will have delivered high quality engagement for its local and cross-border clients across audit, advisory and tax service lines. This association will be agile in response to market forces and opportunities facing the global accountancy profession.

  • DIGITAL INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

    This award will be given to a practice, network, or association, which has with a new initiative or innovation in audit made a major change in improving audit quality, efficiency or added value to clients.

  • DIVERSITY & INCLUSION INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

    This category celebrates the success of a firm, network/association, professional body, regulator, professional federation etc., which has with its DE&I initiative made a significant contribution towards furthering dialogue and debate that can change attitudes in the workplace and has made a marked difference to DE&I policy implementation.

  • PROFESSIONAL BODY OF THE YEAR

    The winning professional body should wield a profound influence within the accountancy sector relating to learning and development and career opportunities for all accounting practitioners and in advocating for raising accounting and reporting standards.

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

    The winner will have demonstrated a commitment to developing and deploying sustainability initiatives and governance frameworks for corporates and communities to reach Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The winner will have invested in leading an initiative / project/ policy framework which has had proven benefits for its clients’/ users’ ESG objectives.

  • ESG/ Sustainability initiative of the Year (Vendor)

    The winner will have delivered a unique market solution to progress its clients’ ESG objectives and reduce market risk. The winner will have demonstrated a commitment to leading and delivering on one or all corporate ESG objectives, to include validating data and achieving suitable levels of governance over non-financial performance metrics, for accounting practitioners’ decision-making.

  • ACCOUNTANCY SOFTWARE OF THE YEAR (VENDOR)

    The winning accounting practice software product will showcase industry leading product features, great levels of user satisfaction, and demonstratable ROI.

  • ACCOUNTANCY APP OF THE YEAR

    The award will recognise a groundbreaking app that demonstrates a difference in the industry serving accountants making their day-to-day life more efficient and cost effective.

  • SaaS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR

    The winning SaaS firm will offer cost effective solutions that greatly enhance the day-to-day activities of top accounting firms.

  • AI INNOVATION INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

    This award will recognise an initiative highlighting outstanding success in streamlining from many of the following, accounting work-flow, data processing and security, reporting compliance and expense management, that makes a significant difference to business performance.

  • CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR (VENDOR)

    The Customer Experience of the Year Award recognises the most ground-breaking digital CX offerings from organisations that take pride in creating the best possible experiences for their customers.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

  • ACCOUNTING LEADER OF THE YEAR

    This Award celebrates inspiring leaders in Accountancy, who are dedicated to raising the bar in setting and leading in professional standards and advocate for continuous learning and growth.

  • YOUNG ACCOUNTANT OF THE YEAR

    The winner of this award will have qualified in the past 10 years and will have made a significant difference to their employer, with an intrapreneurial attitude and driving innovative business solutions.

  • PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

    We will be looking for an industry leader who is not scared to take a stand, who is outspoken on the issues affecting the profession and who has made a significant contribution in the past year to their organisation’s growth and involvement in the community.

  • LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

    This award recognises an individual’s progression in levels of professional achievement and dedication to service within the profession over many years, working consistently to raise its profile and continuing to push for learning and inclusivity for all.

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

Moona Popal

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