As you read this you may still be deconstructing what the new government’s first Budget means for you, your clients or your business. This issue features the ICAS response to one of the most feverishly anticipated government speeches in recent memory.

We feature an in-depth preview of the return of CA Summit, in which leading voices in business, tech, economics and politics examine what a new government will mean for our economy. The award-winning event will be held online, November 19–20, 3–5pm, and you can expect the Budget still to be a hot topic of debate.

The other major theme under discussion at the CA Summit will be “Business 3.0” and how tech, particularly AI, will shape our future. The event is free for CAs and students and you can register at the link below.

To give you a flavour of what to expect, this issue features interviews with two CA Summit guests. Iain Anderson previously served as Boris Johnson’s LGBT+ Business Champion. He switched his allegiances to Labour last year, co-authoring <A New Partnership> with now Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds. Iain addresses head-on some of the negativity surrounding the new government and the UK economy.

We also speak to Zoë Webster, one of Europe’s leading authorities on AI, who tackles some of its attendant myths and says why businesses must stop and ask what they want from the tech before rushing to adopt.

An issue of paramount importance to every CA in any discussion of AI is ethics. That was just one of many talking points arising from ICAS’ recent Beyond the Numbers event as part of our Shaping the Profession (StP) research project. It brought together voices from within and outwith accounting to understand what we must do to ensure it thrives in a rapidly changing world. You can read our review and insights here.

Making the profession attractive to Gen Z ranks among StP’s most important objectives. While the younger generation can often spark strong opinions, our Director of Business Development, Poppy Collinson, provides her unique perspective on why their interests align with accounting.

We also feature interviews with two young CAs, Eryn Paterson and Lewis Drummond, both of whom are Gen Z. Eryn is an inspiring success story, who was helped on the path to becoming a CA by the ICAS Foundation. Please read her interview and consider donating to the foundation’s work.

People like Lewis and Eryn represent the future of ICAS. And we hope their stories fill you with optimism about the next generation of CAs.

Sarah Speirs, ICAS Executive Director of Member Engagement and Communications
sspeirs@icas.com 

Register here for CA Summit 2024