“The American futurist Jamais Cascio came up with an acronym to describe the landscape we’re currently navigating,” says Andy Wilkes, leader of our upcoming course, The Strategically Focused Accountant. “The acronym is BANI – ‘brittle, anxious, nonlinear and incomprehensible’. A lot of people will relate to that. In a world so full of uncertainty, there’s a demand for accountants who want to get closer to the heart of business and have a positive influence on the future. We’re in a process of transition with both sustainability and AI, and accountants have the skills to help manage that change.”

As AI and automation transform finance, CAs have an opportunity to step into a more influential role. Those keen to seize that opportunity can look to contribute to organisational direction, support sustainable growth, evaluate risks and opportunities, and become trusted advisers to leadership teams. The Strategically Focused Accountant course helps develop these essential capabilities.

In practice, strategic thinking means looking beyond immediate issues to see the wider business context and understand how financial decisions affect the delivery of organisational goals. It also means supporting leaders with forecasting, scenario planning and performance analysis, and helping organisations navigate volatility, uncertainty and change.

Good foundation

As Wilkes (himself a management accountant) underlines, the good news for CAs is that our existing skillsets position us strongly to meet these needs. As a profession, we have strong analytical capabilities and the ability to interpret complex data and identify trends. We also have a keen commercial understanding of how organisations create value, credibility with stakeholders and senior decision-makers, and the ability to close the divide between business ambitions and practical delivery.

The course will help you adapt those skills to key drivers of change and uncertainty – in particular, the impact of AI, climate change and other environmental, social and governance concerns. With a future that is impossible to predict, it will also help you adapt your strategies as the world around you changes, building resilience and agility into your thinking.

“Accountants are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the vision a business has and the practical reality”

“Double materiality is critical when it comes to sustainability,” says Wilkes. “It’s that double effect of how we are impacting the environment and how the environment is impacting us. That’s a very real and present conversation that we as finance people have got to have with the rest of our organisations.

“Accountants are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the vision a business has and the practical reality,” adds Wilkes. “Forward-thinking accountants are working on their softer skills – negotiation, influencing and presentation. Interpersonal skills will be key. And developing a strategic focus will help you progress from reporting performance to shaping it.”

Positive influence

Wilkes says although AI may take over some of the day-to-day operational work of the accountant, it won’t replace somebody who understands finance but can also explain figures in an empathetic way. “I believe that it’s pulling the humans who run our corporations a little closer together,” he adds. “That gives you the elbow room to open doors, express yourself and take part in important conversations. Other professionals will increasingly look to accountants to use their knowledge and judgement to take the stress out of situations.”

The Strategically Focused Accountant gives you the opportunity to:
• Understand different perspectives on strategy
• Explore the accountant’s role in strategic development and delivery
• Learn practical strategic analysis and planning tools
• Consider how sustainability and AI are shaping organisations
• Gain confidence in contributing to strategic conversations
• Learn through discussion, case studies and peer interaction with fellow finance professionals

The course is suitable for all finance professionals, including ICAS members, senior finance managers, aspiring leaders and accountants looking to expand their influence beyond technical delivery.

“It’s also a refreshing opportunity to take yourself out of the present for a few hours, and think properly about the future,” says Wilkes. “That can be a hard thing to do when everyone is busy, but it’s also very important for you and your organisation.”