Inside Accountancy

Inside Accountancy

Brought to you by Accountancy Age.

  1. 24/02/2020

    Podcast: Inside Accountancy episode 13 – Cloud-based data security in accounting

    In this episode of Inside Accountancy, we spoke about this topic with Jamie Costello, the co-founder of HR, payroll and pensions software provider Paycircle. With a background in corporation tax and experience from his time at Microsoft Research, Costello has seen the growth of the cloud both inside and outside of the accounting industry. “What we’re really talking about when we’re talking about the cloud is, we’re talking about large data warehouses, hosted by people like Amazon or Microsoft or Google, who maintain vast server farms,” Costello explained. “When people talk about going to the cloud, really that’s like saying, ‘I’m going to the shops,’ and you really want to know what you’re going to buy, so just ‘going to the shops’ isn’t going to get you a nice jacket.” Costello also explained that the data security benefits of the cloud are plentiful, but accountants need to vet service providers on their specific security standards. “What you really want to be doing is asking your supplier how they set up their security, because if they’re done it properly, there is almost no chance of the information being lost. “Let’s imagine, worst case scenario, somebody does get a hold of one of the accountancy workers’ credentials. So this is an example of the way the cloud has extra features, which people—when they talk about the cloud—don’t really realise that what you’re doing is using not only their storage and computing power, but also leveraging their software.” In this episode, we also discuss: The power of the cloud within accountancy Why accountants need to be future-focused Selecting the right provider for your business Subscribe: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | RSS

    31 min
  2. 31/01/2020

    Podcast: Inside Accountancy Episode 10 – The evolving role of accountants

    It’s a much talked about fact that the role of accountants is evolving, with much more emphasis on client relationships and a rise in advisory and guidance work complementing the more ‘traditional’ compliance work. But what does this really mean for accountancy professionals and how can this shifting focus actually be embraced? Very well placed to discuss this evolution with us on our latest Inside Accountancy Podcast is Natasha Frangos, Partner at haysmacintyre and member of the firm’s Management Board. Frangos trained and qualified with haysmacintyre and has been a partner since 2009, and now heads up its Creative, Media and Technology team. Her clients include design, fashion, retail, media agency, e-commerce and technology businesses, and she often acts for the individuals behind these businesses as well. Natasha will often act for a company from its early stages, through to growth and expansion, during a transaction and remain involved in the company beyond that event. She prides herself on developing long lasting client relationships, often acting as a sounding board for her clients across a range of commercial and financial issues, delivering a personal and high value service in the process. In this podcast we discuss: The route Frangos has taken to get where she is today How haysmacintyre has provided support throughout this journey How the role of accountants is evolving from her perspective The differences in specific verticals, specifically in the creative, media and technology space The specific skills required to service high growth clients in this space The development of long-lasting client relationships and secrets behind building them How haysmacintyre’s service will develop in 2020 and beyond to ensure the firm stays ahead of the curve. Listen and subscribe to our podcasts on Blubrry, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Blubrry  |  Spotify  |  Apple podcasts  |  Google Podcasts

    19 min
  3. 20/01/2020

    Podcast: Inside Accountancy Episode 9 – Bad debt vs disputed debt and the opportunity for accountants

    In the latest episode of our Inside Accountancy podcast, Accountancy Age’s Austin Clark talks to Chris Clay, co-founder and managing director of award-winning dispute resolution firm Escalate Disputes, about corporate debts, dispute resolution and the potential for accountancy firms to add another service offering to their portfolios. The debate around bad debt versus disputed debt is a big one. In excess of £40 billion of unpaid debt is currently written off because businesses don’t have access to a cost-effective solution to resolve their commercial disputes, or don’t know where to turn for help. In response to this, Clay, who is also a partner at PKF Littlejohn and has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector, set up Escalate to provide a smarter way to resolve SME disputes by focusing on a quick settlement, removing upfront costs and minimising risk. Importantly, this also enables accountants to build fee income in this area by challenging historic ways of raising disputes and collecting cash. In addition to the topics listed above, this podcast discusses: The scale of the bad debt problem in the UK How much of this bad debt is really disputed debt that SMEs can’t justify pursuing The legacy issues that prevent businesses from pursuing bad debt The opportunity here for accountants How can accountancy firms introduce this new service and build business with clients Listen and subscribe to our podcasts on Blubrry, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Blubrry  |  Spotify  |  Apple podcasts  |  Google Podcasts

    18 min
  4. 03/12/2019

    Podcast: Inside Accountancy Episode 7 – Alternative Finance

    Download link Despite the financial crash of 2008 now being more than a decade ago, a lack of willingness among big banks to finance SMEs remains. This has compounded recently in the face of Brexit, the threat of recession and further economic uncertainty. In that time, however, the number of alternative funding options available to SMEs have increased Would-be entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to fill this market gap that has been left open by this reluctance to lend from big banks. Ollie Maitland, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Capitalise, is one such entrepreneur. Founded in 2016, Capitalise is a platform that matches accountants and their clients to sources of alternative finance. Identifying the opportunity, and enabled in no small part by technology, hundreds of businesses offering various forms of finance grew out of the ashes of the financial crash. As a result, the alternative finance market has flourished into a thriving industry. But there is still a lack of awareness among accountants, business owners and financial decision-makers around the finance options that are available, and staying on top of the market is a time-consuming job. Capitalise is looking to address this problem by assisting these groups, and connecting them to these sources. As many accountants see their roles shift from compliance to advisory, the ability to assist SMEs with finding and securing finance is an opportunity to add value to a practice. Speaking in the latest episode of Inside Accountancy, Ollie discusses Alternative Finance, what accountants need to know about it, the biggest challenges faced by accountants when sourcing finance, and what advise he would give to accountants who have been given the task of finding finance for their clients. Accountancy Age also spoke to Ollie in November, where he discussed how accountants can add value to their practice by offering an alternative finance service. Read the full story here to learn more about the topic. Listen and subscribe to our podcasts on Blubrry, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Blubrry  |  Spotify  |  Apple podcasts  |  Google Podcasts

    28 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

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Brought to you by Accountancy Age.