Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Ethics

Accountants and business leaders in Scotland are to receive more ethics teaching from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland in an effort to improve public trust in financial reporting.

The institute also plans to introduce more ethics courses to its 'CA' qualification, in order to restore the public's trust in the financial services industry and business ethics as a whole.

This is precisely why the ICAEW should not have abandoned its plans in 2005 to have a separate ethics exam.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Lunch

I have had a few people asking me how last Thursday's lunch in my club, with Michael Izza, went.

I was happy to have met with him in this manner, as it provided a very useful opportunity for us to discuss the major issues facing the ICAEW.

To my view the meeting was beneficial for both of us. We were both pleased to have met each other, and to have had the opportunity to speak at length about a number of matters relevant to the future of the ICAEW eg; merger attempts, relations with other professional bodies, council, ethics, education, ICAEW website etc.

Michael emphasised to me that the ICAEW is under new management, and has a new strategy that underpins the value of the brand/qualification.

I would like to thank Michael for paying for lunch.

AIA Accountant of The Year

Following on from my earlier note, about being nominated for "Accountant of The Year" for The Association of International Accountants (AIA), you may be interested to know that I have made it through to the finals.

Ken

AIA President's Awards 2007

Congratulations to the finalists and to all those who were short listed. Winners will be announced at the President's Dinner on 21 November 2007.

AIA Accountant of the Year

Finalists

Ken Lever, Helen Weir, Ken Frost.

Short listed
Ken Lever, John Griffith-Jones, Helen Weir, Jon Symonds, John Connolly, Ken Frost.

Criteria

An award designed to recognise organisations' accountancy stars. Firms, businesses and institutes are encouraged to make nominations, though individual entries are also welcome. Open to all qualified accountants whether in business, practice or public services.
  • Nominees must have demonstrated sound judgment, technical skill, innovation and leadership ability.

  • Nominees must have demonstrated dedication to clients.

  • Nominees must stand out from their colleagues as an accountant who has made significant impact, taking into account the length of their career in accountancy and any notable obstacles they have had to overcome.

  • Nominations should include any work related activities undertaken and broader contribution to the profession.

  • Nominations should include their contribution to the community.
Source AIA

The two other finalists are:

Ken Lever

Finance Director Tomkins plc
Age: 52

Appointed to the Board of Tomkins plc in November 1999. He is a non-executive director of iSOFT Group plc. He is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the ICAEW Financial Reporting Committee and Chairman of the Hundred Group Financial Reporting Committee. He has held executive directorships at Albright and Wilson plc, Alfred McAlpine PLC and Corton Beach plc and was a partner in Arthur Andersen.

Helen Weir

Group Finance Director Lloyds TSB

Joined the board in 2004. Group finance director of Kingfisher from 2000 to 2004. Previously finance director of B&Q from 1997, having joined that company in 1995, and held a senior position at McKinsey & Co from 1990 to 1995. Began her career at Unilever in 1983. A non-executive director of Royal Mail Holdings and a member of the Accounting Standards Board. Aged 45.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

A Penny Saved

The ICAEW has reportedly recruited researchers to ask selected members about their current sentiment wrt the institute and its strategy.

I can save the ICAEW a few pennies on this exercise, by suggesting that the researchers do not waste ICAEW time and money on sending me their survey.

I will be having lunch with Michael Izza on the 20th of this month, in my club (The East India), and will be happy to let him know personally what I think of the ICAEW.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Nomination

I am now back in the UK, having had a very sucesssful business trip to Pyongyang, and thought that you may be interested/amused to see that I have been nominated for Accountant of the Year for the Association of International Accountants (AIA) in the AIA President's Awards 2007.

The Association of International Accountants (AIA) was founded in the UK in 1928 as a professional accountancy body and from conception has promoted the concept of "international accounting" to create a global network of accountants in over 85 countries worldwide.

AIA is constantly working with its people and partners in financial centres worldwide to encourage trust, clarity and shared international standards in the accounting profession. Many of its members are at the top of the industry, from senior management to director level, representing some of the most important and profitable firms in the world. With a select membership demographic including high numbers of these influential decision makers, the AIA is a truly prestigious organisation.

Please note, that I have not won it...nor am I yet in the shortlist.

The award is designed to recognise organisations' accountancy stars. Firms, businesses and institutes are encouraged to make nominations, though individual entries are also welcome.

Open to all qualified accountants whether in business, practice or public services.
  • Nominees must have demonstrated sound judgment, technical skill, innovation and leadership ability

  • Nominees must have demonstrated dedication to clients

  • Nominees must stand out from their colleagues as an accountant who has made significant impact, taking into account the length of their career in accountancy and any notable obstacles they have had to overcome

  • Nominations should include any work related activities undertaken and broader contribution to the profession

  • Nominations should include their contribution to the community
Best regards

Ken