As we start the New Year, the profession is probably facing greater economic uncertainty than it has done for some time.

Issues that were largely confined to the capital markets during 2008 will begin to impact on the real economy as small and medium-sized businesses struggle to deal with the constraints of a banking sector that is understandably more risk averse and less willing to lend.

Leadership is tested in adversity. There cannot be many...

As I announced at the Treasury Select Committee back in November the Institute hosted a meeting of Audit Committee Chairmen on Tuesday evening which explored the issues that may affect the up-coming year end reporting cycle post credit crunch.

The credit crunch has undoubtedly brought the role and responsibilities of Audit Committees under sharper external scrutiny than ever before and the event provided an opportunity for Audit Committee Chai...

On Monday, the chancellor unveiled his second Pre-Budget report. It was a mix of eye-catching fiscal announcements designed to stimulate the economy together with a wealth of detail contained in the accompanying books and papers.

There’s no question that the Government is determined to try and spend its way out of the recession with a £20 billion package. But the question everybody is asking is whether or not it will work.

What do you think? W...

On Tuesday night, I went to the National Business Awards to present the ICAEW’s Corporate Responsibility award in front of 1200 senior figures from the business community at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Why do I think it was important for the Institute to sponsor this award and to be associated with corporate responsibility? There’s no doubt that, with recession looming, corporate responsibility programmes will be under the financial sp...

Last Tuesday I was in Manchester at the launch of the ICAEW North West Region’s Women’s Network, meeting a mix of accountants who are currently working, on a career break, recently returned to work, or planning to return very shortly, some on a part-time basis. It was a very useful and interesting discussion about their experiences and some of the issues they faced.

One of the main concerns they expressed was how best to approach seeking flexib...