International Accounting Bulletin: Forum & Awards 2015
Date 30 September 2015
The International Accounting Bulletin Forum & Awards returns in 2015 for an accountancy forum and awards ceremony aimed at UK, European and global accounting firm leaders.
Bringing together some of the most prominent people from the industry this half day event will kick off with a networking lunch followed by presentations from top industry leaders. The focus of the talks will consider the accountancy landscape in 2015, disruption, data security and digitalisation.Our panel of expert speakers will conclude the forum by debating what the accounting industry will look like in 2020.
Parallel to the second session IAB and AON will be conducting a global accounting network and association executives’ round table.
The day will conclude with a networking reception celebrating excellence in the accounting profession as International Accounting Bulletin Awards for 2015 are be awarded.
Following an overwhelming response for this year’s International
Accounting Bulletin awards, we have grown the event and are now hosting
an official gala dinner to announce this year’s winners, following the
day’s industry forum.
The daytime forum, full of thought leading content and discussion,
remains free to attend (by invitation only). To attend the drinks
reception and gala dinner you can purchase a ticket for £200 + VAT.
Places are limited and in high demand so book now to secure your
place at what’s set to be the greatest industry awards of the year!
To register for the forum or the awards dinner, please contact:
Zoi Kotzampasi
zoi.kotzampasi@timetric.com
+44 (0) 20 3096 2587
Paul Tombleson Partner, KPMG UK
Paul is the Head of KPMG’s Technology Risk Consulting and Data & Analytics business. He has more than 16 years of experience in leading data-driven engagements in the UK and internationally, many of which have involved Forensic and Regulatory investigations. This has included some 100 Forensic Technology and IT Security assignments, involving the capture and analysis of data in over 30 countries. Investigations into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption, false accounting, insider dealing, rogue trading and other financial irregularity. Paul is familiar with working to the highest digital evidence standards and under legal privilege; as well as Regulatory enquiries on behalf of clients and regulators, including the FCA, FINMA, Bank of England and DTI.
Aster Crawshaw, Partner, Addleshaw Goddard
Aster is a Partner in Addleshaw Goddard’s Professional Practices Group, described as “pre-eminent in terms of overall experience and depth of resource” by the Legal 500. Aster advises professional practices on governance, structuring, partner and risk management issues, with a particular emphasis on international structuring matters. He also advises on mergers, acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and LLP conversions (both from general partnerships and limited companies). In addition, he works with businesses in the financial services sector, including hedge funds and private equity houses on the use of LLPs and partnerships.
Dan Lichtenstein, General Counsel, Grant Thornton International
Dan is general counsel and company secretary of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL), one of the world’s leading organizations of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms. He has held this position since 1 January 2013. His portfolio of work relates to protecting the “Grant Thornton” brand around the world. This includes handling litigation, intellectual property, governance, structuring, insurance and membership matters. Prior to his current role, Dan was senior counsel at GTIL and previously in house counsel for Grant Thornton LLP, the US member firm of GTIL. He also worked as a corporate attorney with two Chicago based law firms. Dan is based in London, UK.
Faye Chua, Portfolio Head – Business Focus, ACCA
Faye Chua is ACCA’s Portfolio Head – Business Focus, leading ACCA’s global research and insights programme with a focus on the future directions of business and the accountancy profession across a wide range of subjects, disciplines and influences. Faye has over 10 years of experience in research across different sectors of the economy and has worked in North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe. She is the staff expert on ACCA’s Accountancy Futures Academy.
Hilde Blomme, Deputy Chief Executive, Federation of European Accountants (FEE)
Hilde Blomme is Reviseur d’Entreprises (Belgium), MBA, FCCA, CPA. She joined FEE in 2003 as Director of Practice Regulation. In 2011, she became FEE Deputy Chief Executive. In her role, she focuses on supporting and advising FEE governing bodies related to public policy and technical matters, co-developing FEE strategy with a focus on public policy and regulatory matters, representing FEE on professional and technical matters and developing FEE staff. As FEE Board Member, Hilde advises on public policy, regulatory and technical matters, co-develops strategy and represents FEE in areas like accounting, reporting, auditing and ethics.
Keith Tracey, Managing Director, Aon Risk Services
Keith has specialized knowledge of the, risk exposures, structure, operations, and professional indemnity issues of professional service firms. He has led client teams delivering complex PI solutions to large national and global firms. He has been involved in designing and placing international programmes for lawyers, accountants and consulting firms. He has a record of constructing complex insurance transactions, solving technical challenges and bringing leadership and clarity to large scale initiatives.
Tracy Andrew, Information Security & Compliance Officer and Data Protection Officer, Fieldfisher
Tracy is the Information Security & Compliance Officer and Data Protection Officer for Fieldfisher, with responsibility for our ISO27001 Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) certification. He manages and maintains the information security, risk and business continuity across the firm, as well as development and implementation of new policies and process to support the organisation. Part of Tracy’s role is to work in support of the Privacy and Information Team, working with clients post data breaches to implement remedial actions, investigation of incidents and also undertaking client information security audits, plus advising on potential information security risks for clients
John Rowland, Executive Director, Cicero Group
John is a political consultant and analyst with a decade of experience working in London and Washington, D.C. He has particular interest in political risks for the financial sector. He joined the multi-award winning consultancy Cicero Group in 2006, opened its US presence in 2011 and was appointed to the group board on his return to the UK in 2014. He holds a BSc in Government from London School of Economics and an MSc in Public Policy from University College London.
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING BULLETIN: FORUM & AWARDS 2015 INCLUDE:
International Accounting Bulletin Awards 2015
The International Accounting Bulletin Awards Ceremony will take place on 1st October 2015. Nominations are now open.
NOMINATION GUIDELINES
- Nominations are now closed
- Submissions can be made on behalf of your own company or in recognition of a colleague or a partner firm
- Nominees should follow the guidelines to ensure their submission has the best chance of winning
- Send your completed nomination to IAB15awards@uk.timetric.com
Be open about your achievements
Information on submissions labelled CONFIDENTIAL will only be shown to members of the judging panel so please be open about successes. At the same time, even where financial information is in the public domain, please include it to provide a full picture of performance.
Support your opinions with facts
When judges compare companies on various criteria, a company which can quote data on customer satisfaction will be given precedence over one which claims “market-leading service quality” without evidence.
Be concise
Bullet points and short paragraphs supported by a couple of charts or graphs are better than long-winded presentations. Full nominations should be kept to a maximum of 1,200 words.
What makes you unique?
In every category, we are looking for companies that stand out from the crowd. When you list the things you do well, don’t forget to emphasise where you feel you are unique among your competitors, or where you do things differently from the rest of the industry.
Follow the guidelines
While you are invited to raise any point you feel strengthens your nomination, we recommend clearly and directly addressing each point listed in the category criteria – this allows judges to easily compare like with like, and will make sure there are no areas in which your nomination has nothing to say for itself.
Keep it current
Remember that in almost all categories, the award title contains the words “of the year”. For maximum impact, please refer to developments made and performance achieved in the last 12 months. While a record of success won’t hurt a nomination, it is the most recent activity that will win awards for nominees.
Notes
- Submissions should highlight the key differentiator and competitive nature of the project or implementation.
- The judges reserve to move a submission to a more appropriate category at their discretion;
- The judges will give priority to innovative projects and entries that provide details of key metrics highlighting the success of the project/implementation against the project’s stated goals
- Entrants should use the online entry form but may provide additional information by way of pdf or powerpoint;
- The judges’ decision is final
The list of award categories and judging criteria for 2015 can be found below. Send your completed nomination to IAB15awards@uk.timetric.com by 26th June 2015.
Network of the Year
The winner of this award will have demonstrated the execution of profitable growth strategies. They will be recognised by the industry as a reputable brand that consistently delivers high quality professional services. The winner will have excelled in a number of key strategic and operational areas over the past 12 months. Nominees in this category must be compliant with the IFAC definition of a network.
Judges will consider
- Financial performance globally and by region (in the context of a region’s economic performance)
- How effectively the network has strengthened its position in what it identifies as strategically important markets
- Evidence that the network has consistently provided a top-level standard in network-wide audit quality
- Evidence that member firms are an employer of choice
- Evidence of industry leadership, which could include initiatives such as thought leadership, demonstration of best practice, or playing a lead role in discussions over an issue affecting the industry
- Evidence of client satisfaction
- Evidence that the network has successfully implemented a strategy that helped it significantly improve its delivery of internal services to member firms and external services to clients
- Judges will also consider performance in the face of adversity, industry leadership and the promotion of the highest professional standards to business and the public
Rising Star Network
The winner of this award might not be a household name but will have demonstrated exceptional growth, entrepreneurial flair and innovation in elevating its position in the market.
Judges will consider:
- Evidence of successful implementation of a strategy that has improved the network’s global position and reputation across the world
- Improved performance by fee income and global expansion
- Evidence that staff and client satisfaction has improved
- Proven innovation to enhance the network’s delivery services
Association of the Year
The winner of this award will have demonstrated the execution of profitable growth strategies. They will be recognised by the industry as a reputable brand that consistently delivers high quality professional services. The winner will have excelled in a number of key strategic and operational areas over the past 12 months.
Judges will consider
- Financial performance globally and by region (in the context of a region’s economic performance)
- How effectively the association has strengthened its position in what it identifies as strategically important markets
- Evidence that the network has consistently provided a top-level standard in network wide audit quality
- Evidence that member firms are an employer of choice
- Evidence of industry leadership, which could include initiatives such as thought leadership, demonstration of best practice, or playing a lead role in discussions over an issue affecting the industry
- Evidence of client satisfaction
- Evidence that the association has successfully implemented a strategy that helped it significantly improve its delivery of internal services to member firms and external services to clients
- Judges will also consider performance in the face of adversity, industry leadership and the promotion of the highest professional standards to business and the public
Rising Star Association
The winner of this award might not be a household name but will have demonstrated exceptional growth, entrepreneurial flair and innovation.
Judges will consider
- Evidence of the successful implementation of a strategy that has improved the association’s global position and reputation across the world
- Improved ranking/market position/increased number of members
- Evidence that staff and client satisfaction has improved
- The use of innovation to greatly enhance the network’s delivery of services
Audit Innovation of the Year
This award will be given to the practice, network or association which has made a major, demonstrable impact on audit quality and client service. Judges will be looking for evidence of improvement in efficiency, accuracy and reliability. This innovation may have occurred across the whole network/association or just within an individual firm.
Judges will consider
- Evidence of improvements in efficiency, accuracy and reliability
- Client satisfaction
- Evidence that the innovation is unique to the market it serves
- Evidence that the innovation has become a model of best practice to the market it serves
Advisory Firm of the Year
This award will be given to a firm or global network/association which has been working on an advisory project or projects of significant importance or scale demonstrating the organisations advisory abilities.
The judges will be looking at how a firm or global network/association has developed certain advisory capabilities and successfully helped clients with its expertise. Nominations welcome from different advisory areas from big data, cyber to management consultancy.
Judges will consider:
- Evidence that an organisations advisory service has made an important difference to the success of clients
- Evidence of outstanding innovation which has benefitted a client/industry
- Growth across the advisory service
- Nominations welcome of advisory assignments which have played an important role in wider society
Employer of the Year
In this category IAB may award two Awards: one on a global network and association level and the other to a single firm
This firm/network or association will be widely acclaimed for the training and development of its employees. Judges will look for evidence of creative solution to attracting and retaining talent.
Judges will consider
- Evidence of creative solutions for attraction and retaining talent
- Evidence of innovative and successful schemes to attract and retain talent
- Evidence of high staff satisfaction and high retention rates will also be taken into account
Sustainable Firm of the Year
In this category IAB may award two Awards: one on a global network and association level and the other to a single firm
This award will be won by a firm/network or association demonstrating excellence in corporate social responsibility and environmental initiatives that not only reduce the firm’s carbon footprint but make a meaningful difference to the success of the firm.
Judges will consider
- Evidence of how CSR initiatives are improving firm performance
- Evidence of the implementation of cutting-edge sustainable solutions
- Evidence for how firms are helping their clients meet CSR objectives as well as operational improvements through innovation and effective execution of CSR services
- Special consideration will be given to initiatives that have created a market-wide benchmark
IT Vendor of the Year
Judges encourage nominations for technology suppliers and consultants, as well as accountancy practices for this award. Judges will look for evidence of how effective deployment of technology has reduced costs, improved quality and/or increased opportunities for growth.
Judges will consider
- Evidence of how the effective deployment of technology has reduced costs, improved quality and/or increased opportunities for growth
- Proven track record of new software/technology developed to assist the accounting profession
- Software innovation
Social Networking Champion of the Year (only for global networks/associations)
Judges will be looking at what association/network has made significant progress in building its social media network and has demonstrated most creativity and innovation in their social media strategy. The judges will be looking at platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Youtube.
Judges will consider
- Evidence of creative strategy used to increase group members and followers
- Innovative and creative strategies to build brand awareness through social media
- Use of multiple social media platforms to assist with brand awareness
- Examples of successful use of social media to assist with the organisations strategy
International Accounting Bulletin 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. Judges will be looking for evidence of entrepreneurial flair, technical excellence and leadership potential. Nominations for this award must be under 35 years old.
International Accounting Bulletin Personality of the Year
The winner of this award will be chosen by the editorial team of International Accounting Bulletin and the judging panel. We will be looking for an industry leader who is not scared to take a stand and who is outspoken on the issues affecting the profession.
2014: Paul Druckman
2013: Pauline Wallace
2012: Jeremy Newman
International Accounting Bulletin Lifetime Achievement Award
The winner of this award will be chosen by the editorial team of International Accounting Bulletin and the judging panel. This award recognises consistent levels of achievement within the profession over a number of years.
2014: Prof. Arnold Schilder
2013: Ian Ball
2012: Sir David Tweedie
Award Shortlist 2015
The finalists for the IAB 2015 awards are listed below. Winners will be announced at the IAB Conference & Awards on 1st October 2015
NETWORK OF THE YEAR
- BDO
- KPMG
- PwC
RISING STAR NETWORK
- Auren
- Santa Fe
- ShineWing
- SMS Latinoamerica
- Reanda
ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR
- DFK International
- INPACT
- Praxity
RISING STAR ASSOCIATION
- ABACUS
- INPACT
AUDIT INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
- Caseware
- Deloitte
ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR
Global:
- Crowe Horwath International
- PwC
Single firm:
- Crowe Horwath UAE
- Clearwater
- Nexia Malta
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
- Grant Thornton International
- WithumSmith+Brown (HLB USA)
- Mazars
- Nexia Tanzania
- PwC
SUSTAINABLE FIRM OF THE YEAR
- Crowe Horwath International
- KPMG
- ShineWing
SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKING CHAMPION OF THE YEAR:
Global
- KPMG
- Mazars
Single firm
- Baker Tilly Malaysia
- Nexia SKP
- RSM Egypt
IT VENDOR
- Blackline
- Caseware
- FreeAgent
- Energy Consulting (HLB Russia)
- Intuit
YOUNG ACCOUNTANT OF THE YEAR
- Amy Askew, partner at Menzies LLP, HLB UK
- Benjamin Mulling, chair of the global board of directors at the Institute of Management Accountants
PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
- Fayezul Choudhury, CEO, IFAC
- Olivia Kirtley, president of the board, IFAC
- Sacha Romanovitch, CEO, Grant Thornton UK
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
- Aziz Dieye, Pioneering Member, Pan-African Federation of Accountant
- Fayezul Choudhury, CEO, IFAC
- Geoff Barnes, immediate past CEO and president of Baker Tilly International
- Jos Van Huut, board member of Royal NIVRA; vice-president Federation of European Accountants; member of managing board and governance council of Praxity AISBL
- Khalid Maniar, founder and group managing partner of Horwath MAK
- Olivia Kirtley, president of the board, IFAC
- Raul Correa, CEO, BDO Brazil
- Zhang Ke, chairman, ShineWing International
Ndungu Gathinji, former chairman of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK)and former IFAC board member
Mr. Gathinji is a law graduate from the University of Nairobi, but does not practice law. His chosen career is accountancy, and he qualified as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), in 1970, thus becoming the second Kenyan to become a chartered accountant. He is a fellow of ICAEW, as well as the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). After qualifying, he worked in industry for 10 years, rising to the position of finance and administration director of Kenya Airways. He then commenced private practice, starting his own firm Cook Sutton Gathinji& co, which later merged with Ernst &Young. He served as head of consulting services before becoming chairman of Ernst & young, East Africa, and vice-chairman of Ernst & Young Africa Group before retiring in 1997
Jane Howard, Partner, Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co
Jane joined Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co LLP in May 2012 (Wragge & Co. as it was then), having trained at Simmons & Simmons (where she became an equity partner in 2001). She has over 20 years’ experience advising the accountancy profession on a range of areas including the defence of claims and advising upon risk management and other strategic business issues Jane has advised two-thirds of the Top 20 UK accountancy firms (including 3 of the Big 4) and 14 of the Top 25 international networks. Jane has also won work from and represented the interests of professional indemnity insurers and actuarial and pensions professionals. Clients have described Jane as a ‘real industry expert’ and the latest edition of Legal 500 describes her as ‘truly excellent’.
Mark Koziel, Vice President – Firm Services & Global Alliances, AICPA
Mark Koziel is Vice President – Firm Services & Global Alliances at the AICPA. He oversees the development, ongoing improvement and delivery of services to members in PCPS/Firm Practice Management as well as International relations with various CPA related groups. He frequently speaks on CPA issues around the country . Prior to joining the AICPA, Mark Koziel served as Director of Media Planning for a political consulting firm in East Aurora, NY serving Presidential, Senate, Congressional and Governor races around the country. Mark also served as Client Director for all national public affairs clients. Mark finished his public accounting career as Director of Placement and Human Resource Consulting Divisions at a large local accounting firm in Buffalo, NY. His experiences with recruiting for firm employees and assisting clients in filling key accounting positions served as the springboard to the development of the Placement Services division. His recruiting techniques used for the firm served as the system to be used for Placement Services. He served in various accounting and consulting roles for over ten years prior to creating Placement Services.
Our half-day agenda is packed with presentations from top industry leaders. The focus of the talks in 2015 will consider: the accountancy landscape in 2015, convergence of service lines, regulation, disruption, data security and digitalisation.Our panel of expert speakers will conclude the forum by debating what the accounting industry will look like in 2020.
To see the full and agenda and speakers confirmed to date, please click the download link.
Interested in speaking at this year’s event?
Please contact
Rose Riley
T. + 44 (0) 203 096 1973 Or
E. rose.riley@timetric.com
Download Agenda
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