FOR THE RECORD
Member information and updates from ICAS
Introducing ICAS Cares
SCABA has been reborn as ICAS Cares. The name and look may be new, but the charity’s purpose remains as relevant as it has been for the past 100 years
Since 1919, the Scottish Chartered Accountant’s Benevolent Association (SCABA) has helped ICAS members, students and their families to overcome life’s many challenges. In preparation for another century of providing support through hard times, the charity has been modernised and rebranded.
SCABA was originally founded to aid ICAS members, and their widows and orphans, facing personal struggles after the First World War. Although these challenges have taken different forms over the years, CAs and their families continue to experience life-changing events, often when they least expect it.
Caring for the ICAS community remains the charity’s core mission to this day, hence its new name – ICAS Cares. This refreshed identity is the outcome of governance modernisation and the decision to become a Scottish charitable incorporated organisation, creating a new charity number. And with an updated name and charity number comes an exciting new look.
Despite these changes, the charitable purposes remain the same. ICAS Cares will continue to provide emotional, practical and financial support when it’s needed most. Whether it’s ill health, unemployment, debt or a relationship breakdown, the charity is here to help from the moment you step on the path to becoming a CA.
Board Chair, Ruth Adams CA, said: “I feel honoured to be involved in continuing the 100-year legacy of SCABA with our new identity, ICAS Cares. The charity has helped many CAs over the years, and everything we do centres on easing the pressures that led them to us.”
Charity Manager, Kirsty Gray CA, said: “We’re still here to offer past, present and future ICAS members a non-judgemental and confidential ear, as well as access to a host of practical and financial aid.”
It’s your charity
ICAS Cares is here for you through hard times. Discover the help on offer and how to apply.
The charity relies on the generosity of the ICAS community to continue assisting those in need. See how you can show your support.
ICAS Cares is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), Scottish Charity number: SC052865
New PC guidance
This month, ICAS will publish updated guidance to help members understand whether they need to hold a practising certificate (PC).
Around 1,800 members currently possess a PC, which needs to be renewed annually. ICAS rules stipulate that members must hold a PC if they fall into either of two categories:
1. They are being paid to provide accountancy or related services to someone other than their employer.
2. They are a principal (partner, director etc) in a firm providing accountancy or related services (or are being held out as a principal).
“We wanted to make the guidance clearer,” says Robert Mudge, Executive Director of Regulation. “And we needed to update it in line with some of the newer ways in which some members are practising, and to better tie in with AML supervision.
“If you’re in any doubt whether you might be considered ‘in practice’ or not, then you should get in touch with us because we’re happy to have that conversation.
“Tell us what it is you do and then we will offer our guidance. Unfortunately, we do sometimes have to take regulatory or disciplinary action against members who should have had PCs, so you’d be much better off to err on the side of caution.”
For more, read a summary of the new guidance or the full document
Bank of England Briefings
Join us for one of our off-the-record briefings with representatives of the Bank of England as we dive into the latest developments in the UK financial market. We have two events scheduled, first in Glasgow, then in Inverness.
The Glasgow event will be addressed by Will Dowson, the Bank of England’s Agent for Scotland, who has been with the Bank since 1995. At Inverness, the speaker will be Deputy Agent for Scotland, Adam McGeoch, an applied economist, who joined the Bank last year.
Both speakers have extensive knowledge of UK financial markets, the risk management that underpins them and how they operate within the international financial system. They will share their insights on the economic outlook for businesses and households and the Bank’s recent policy decisions. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about anything from monetary policy to investment trends, pay pressures, employment levels and more.
With drinks, canapes and lots of fellow ICAS members, students and non-members on hand, the evening will also be a great opportunity to grow your network and build new business connections.
Book your place for Glasgow or Inverness
Glasgow
Date: 12 September 2024
Location: 200 SVS, 200 St Vincent St, Glasgow G2 5SG
Speaker: Will Dowson, Bank of England Agent for Scotland
Inverness
Date: 17 September 2024
Location: Ness Walk Hotel, 12 Ness Walk, Inverness IV3 5SQ
Speaker: Adam McGeoch, Bank of England Deputy Agent for Scotland
Both events are 17.30–20.00 and free for all to attend
Up for the cup
In 2019, ICAS’ then-President Sandy Manson CA was contacted by his Chartered Accountants Ireland counterpart, Feargal McCormack, with a view to setting up an annual golf tournament between the two membership bodies.
And so the McCormack-Manson Cup was born. The sport is enormously popular with CAs, many of whom have a close association with their local clubs, both as players and, often, as members of finance committees. Indeed, Cup venues have included some world-famous, and very exclusive, courses.
“The tournament alternates between Scotland and Ireland,” explains ICAS team member Hannah Bycroft CA. “We first played at Muirfield and Gullane in 2019. After Covid, the 2022 Cup was held at Royal Portrush (venue for next year’s British Open), followed by Troon (the stage for this year’s Open). This year we went to County Louth and the Island Golf Club in Dublin.” The match finished 9-9, with ICAS retaining the trophy as defending champions.
That first tournament at Muirfield took on a greater significance for Bycroft, who was among the first players to use the new women’s facilities, after Muirfield voted to accept female members. “It was a privilege to get the opportunity to play at Muirfield and get the full experience,” she says.
The captains of the ICAS and CAI 2024 teams
The captains of the ICAS and CAI 2024 teams
Now Bycroft is looking for other female CAs to join the ICAS team. “As anyone who plays golf will tell you, it’s a brilliant way to meet other CAs and network. We’re in the process of setting up a match next year against ICAEW, so we hope there will be even more events in future.”
To find out more about the ICAS golf team please contact neil.g.allan@pwc.com
She’s got the power
Last year, Lisa Blum CA won the ICAS gold medal, an award given to the student whose overall performance was judged to be first in order of merit. Since then she has been competing for more medals, albeit in an entirely different arena.
Blum finished second in the 69kg category at the 2023 Scottish Powerlifting Championships – which she describes as “not my best performance, but still, obviously, a very good outcome.”
Having achieved her goal of qualifying for the British Championships in November, Blum was about to receive even better news.
“I was on holiday because I usually try to take a break after a competition. Then I got an email to say I had been selected for the Commonwealth Championships. I read it a few times to take it all in.”
The event, which begins on 4 October in Sun City, South Africa, will see Blum compete in the 76kg category – the weight at which she competed in this year’s Scottish Championships, finishing fourth. “I feel a lot stronger, and my progress is a lot better. Going up in weight was definitely the right decision,” she adds.
Unlike many sports, however, powerlifting doesn’t receive any financial support from the government. “Scottish Powerlifting is a charity as well,” Blum says, “so they can't pay for us to go to South Africa. The main costs are flights and hotel – everyone has to stay in the same hotel during the competition.”
Factoring in other expenses, the total bill is likely to run to several thousand pounds. Competitors often need to find sponsors and hold fundraisers. Indeed, a Crowdfunder page has been set up to help powerlifters achieve their goal of competing in South Africa. You can donate via the link below.
For sponsorship opportunities, email lisaablum2511@gmail.com. Or donate to help send the Scottish Powerlifting team to South Africa
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Brogan Gibson CA
Global Mobility Tax Assistant Manager, KPMG
What was your biggest challenge going through ICAS training?
I became pregnant midway through my TPS [Test of Professional Skills] studies. I was determined to complete it before my baby was born and successfully did so. When I returned to work after one year, I began to study for the TPE [Test of Professional Expertise] qualification exam. Again, I wanted to complete the exams, even though some colleagues believed I was taking on too much with a baby and home commitments while working full time.
But I planned my days accordingly. That meant a lot of early-morning rises to study at the weekend, giving me time for my son in the afternoons. I am very lucky that I have a supportive husband and family. It was all worth it as I passed my TPE qualification and completed and signed off my logbook.
What attracted you to your current role?
I’ve worked at KPMG for nine years and am currently in the global mobility services team in tax, having started as a 360 apprentice straight from secondary school. I enjoy my role here, especially the technical tax aspect of the job. I appreciate the process, from when an assignee completes their information and compensation is received, to when the final tax package is created.
What do you hope to achieve over the next year or so?
I was recently promoted to Assistant Manager, so I’m looking to enrich my current skills in this new role. In January, I successfully completed the reviewer programme which led to my promotion. I am currently pregnant with my second child, due in October, so I’ll be prioritising being a mum in the coming year.
What do you enjoy most about working at your company?
KPMG prides itself on valuing its people. This has been a major positive for me, especially of late. I am thankful for my great team at KPMG, who have been very supportive of me studying while being a mum. Without this backing I would have struggled with my ICAS studies. My role can be demanding in the busy season between September and January. There is now a wellbeing team on hand to provide support during these times of stress, when work commitments are high.
Are you a recently qualified CA, interested in appearing in this column? Email us at camagazine@therivergroup.co.uk
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