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Welcome to the 20:20 Innovation webinar series. The themes of the webinars are a mix of general and technical topics to suit the needs of all Russell Bedford members. You can access the webinars either live or through the recorded version, with no limit.
Click the dropdown to expand the webinar summary including content, time and speaker
17th January 23 - Strategies for 2023 (UK)
12pm to 1pm GMT – Ian Fletcher
2022 saw us emerge from the pandemic, the start of the war in Ukraine, spiralling inflation, an energy crisis and general supply chain shortages. In addition, our industry is disrupted by technology and AI threatens the existence of some of our services. So, what should accountancy firms do to take advantage of this disruption? In this webinar we will outline strategies for success and illustrate them with examples of firms who are leading the way.
Partners and managers who are looking to stay ahead of the competition by increasing revenue and improving efficiency.
Recording Slides
19th January 23 - Strategies for 2023 (International)
12pm to 1pm GMT – Ian Fletcher
2022 saw us emerge from the pandemic, the start of the war in Ukraine, spiralling inflation, an energy crisis and general supply chain shortages. In addition, our industry is disrupted by technology and AI threatens the existence of some of our services. So, what should accountancy firms do to take advantage of this disruption? In this webinar we will outline strategies for success and illustrate them with examples of firms who are leading the way.
Partners and managers who are looking to stay ahead of the competition by increasing revenue and improving efficiency.
Recording Slides
9th February 23 - Growth Through Aquisition (International)
12pm to 1pm GMT – Gordon Gilchrist
A number of firms have recognised the benefit of acquiring firms to reach a critical mass that facilitates an enhanced client proposition and also to become more attractive to team members. This webinar will discuss the benefits of organic growth versus acquisition growth.
Managing partners and partners who are looking to expand their businesses through acquisition.
Recording Slides
16th February 23 - Growth Through Aquisition (UK)
12pm to 1pm GMT – Gordon Gilchrist
A number of firms have recognised the benefit of acquiring firms to reach a critical mass that facilitates an enhanced client proposition and also to become more attractive to team members. This webinar will discuss the benefits of organic growth versus acquisition growth.
Managing partners and partners who are looking to expand their businesses through acquisition.
Recording Slides
20th March 23 - Positioning your Firm in the High Value Sector with Advisory Services
12pm to 1pm GMT – Ian Fletcher
No one could have predicted how the last three years have panned out, and as we learn to live with a stormy economy now is the time to focus on positioning your firm in the high value sector. Specifically we will examine how successful firms have moved ahead of the curve and what they do differently to the rest.
Partners and managers who are looking to stay ahead of the competition by increasing revenue and improving efficiency.
Recording Slides
23rd March 23 - Marketing in a Modern Firm Including Niche Marketing
12pm to 1pm GMT – Gordon Gilchrist
The last research suggested that over 90% of the upper quartile of successful accounting firms ALL have adopted niche marketing – departments that are niches , typically by industry, grow faster, attract better fee earners, are more profitable and generally far more successful than the general practice.
Managing partner, partners, practice manager, aspirational fee earners & marketeers.
Recording Slides
5th April 23 - The Top 7 Ideas for Recruiting and Retaining Talent
12pm to 1pm BST – Gordon Gilchrist
Winning the Talent War and/or the post-Pandemic hiring race will give or our firm a significant competitive advantage. Times are changing and the way we deal with these changes will define our future – recruitment is a great example of this. Issues such as flexibility, remote working, diversity, inclusion, & embracing tech to make people’s life easier, all affect the outcome of our hiring success.
Managing partners and partners.
Recording Slides
4th May 23 - How to Price Your Services in a Changing World
12pm to 1pm BST – Gordon Gilchrist
The timesheet is no longer the ONLY way to determine the price of accountancy services. There is no doubt, however, that timesheets can be very helpful when a cost sensitive service needs to be priced and the use of a cost plus system such as a timesheet is perfectly acceptable. That said, for benefit driven services such as tax planning, corporate finance, business advisory, wealth management, legacy planning, retirement planning, exit routes, etc., the expertise and specialisation required, contradicts the idea of a cost plus system but more as a benefit driven value pricing model. Value pricing is the concept of agreeing a price which is determined by the value to the customer.
There are many ways to determine value other than the timesheet, including:
This webinar will set out some methodologies and ways of addressing value pricing other than through the use of the timesheet especially understanding the “Value Curve”
Marketing partners, partners, Marketing managers and co-ordinators, practice managers and aspirational fee earners.
Recording Slides
17th May 23 - Navigating the Future of Accounting with Generative AI: An Introductory Webinar
This webinar will provide accountants with a comprehensive overview of how Generative AI such as ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) and Google Bard can transform the landscape of accounting practices.
Participants will gain a foundational understanding of what ChatGPT, Google Bard and other AI are, how they work, and how this technology can be used in the accounting industry.
The webinar will highlight the various ways in which we can enhance accounting workflows, such as automating routine tasks, streamlining data analysis, and improving communication with clients.
Through real-world examples, participants will learn about specific uses of ChatGPT / Google Bard in accounting, including financial statement generation, invoice processing, fraud detection, and financial forecasting.
You will be provided with practical tips and best practices for leveraging AI effectively for your firm, including a comparison of different options available.
By the end of the webinar, participants will have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of Generative AI and be equipped with practical knowledge to explore its potential in your own practice.
Anyone working in practice at any level who has is interested in using AI to create efficiencies.
Recording Slides
13th June 23 - Power Up Your Profits
12pm to 1pm BST – Billie Mcloughlin
Based on experiences with more than 1000 2020 member firms across the country, Billie will present dozens of high-impact practices and techniques employed by the nation’s most successful firms to maximize profitability. Some are preferable to others depending on your firm’s situation, but properly employed, they work.
Managing partner, partners, practice manager, and aspirational fee earners.
Recording Slides
11th July 23 - How to be Successful with Digital Marketing
12pm to 1pm BST – Dave Goodyear
Understand how digital marketing can help your accountancy firm grow by using the essential tools available to you.
Managing partner, partners, marketing managers and co-ordinators, practice manager and aspirational fee earners.
Recording Slides
25th July 23 - The Power of Diversity and Inclusion
12pm to 1pm BST – Julia Penny
To allow delegates to understand that diversity and inclusion isn’t just a “nice to have” but an essential part of driving the future success of the practice.
Managing partner, partners, practice manager, finance partner and aspirational fee earners. Those with responsibilities for D and I within the practice or network/association.
Recording Slides
20th September 23 - Succession Planning (International)
12pm to 1pm BST – Gordon Gilchrist
Succession planning is the key to accountancy firms practice management. The simultaneous impact of aging baby boomer partners, a never-ending shortage of talent with partner potential, and a tendency for accountancy firms’ management to perpetually relegate succession planning to the back burner culminates into a potential nightmare! Gordon fears succession planning as the #1 endemic issue facing accountancy firms today. This webinar will provide a roadmap for creating and implementing a succession plan.
Managing partner, partners, practice manager, and aspirational fee earners.
Recording Slides
4th October 23 - Becoming the Virtual Financial Officer for Your Clients
12pm to 1pm BST – Billie Mcloughlin
It may seem daunting offering additional services to your clients and sometimes hard to make it profitable. During this session we will be discussing what software you should consider to ensure you can give your clients what they need and how to price it in a scalable way.
Managing partner, partners, practice manager, finance partner and aspirational fee earners.
Recording Slides
17th October 23 - How to Win New Clients
12pm to 1pm BST – Gordon Gilchrist
Taking on new clients, the sort of clients you are looking for, brings a number of benefits.
Managing partners, partners and marketeers, who are looking for better clients.
Recording Slides
19th October 23 - Succession Planning (UK)
12pm to 1pm BST – Gordon Gilchrist
Succession planning is the key to accountancy firms practice management. The simultaneous impact of aging baby boomer partners, a never-ending shortage of talent with partner potential, and a tendency for accountancy firms’ management to perpetually relegate succession planning to the back burner culminates into a potential nightmare! Gordon fears succession planning as the #1 endemic issue facing accountancy firms today. This webinar will provide a roadmap for creating and implementing a succession plan.
Managing partner, partners, practice manager, and aspirational fee earners.
Recording Slides
15th November 23 - Your 2024 Marketing Plan (UK)
12pm to 1pm GMT – Gordon Gilchrist
Marketing has defined as “Satisfying an unsatisfied customer uniquely well” – whilst possibly a bit harsh, the point is well made – do we know:
Do we KNOW the answer to these 2 questions? Many firms will have partners who think they know on the basis that they are close to their clients. 2020’s research through 000’s of client interviews over nearly 30 years confirm most partners and fee earners cannot answer these 4 simple questions;
If we KNEW the answers to these questions and our marketing plan reflected these answers, then our marketing plan would be a very powerful document to action.
Managing partner, partners, practice manager, aspirational fee earners & marketeers.
Recording Slides
23rd November 23 - How To Build Resilience & Thrive: The Four Elements of Wellbeing
12pm to 1pm GMT – Sharon Critchlow
To understand the impact of stress on our ability to perform well at work and to enjoy our lives. To recognise the different ways that stress manifests in ourselves and those around us To be able to create a balanced wellbeing plan using the four elements of wellbeing.
Anyone who wants the tools to counter the effects of stress and pressure. Particularly useful to those who manage others and want to take a rounded approach to the team’s wellbeing.
Recording Slides
30th November 23 - Your 2024 Marketing Plan (International)
12pm to 1pm GMT – Gordon Gilchrist
Marketing has defined as “Satisfying an unsatisfied customer uniquely well” – whilst possibly a bit harsh, the point is well made – do we know:
Do we KNOW the answer to these 2 questions? Many firms will have partners who think they know on the basis that they are close to their clients. 2020’s research through 000’s of client interviews over nearly 30 years confirm most partners and fee earners cannot answer these 4 simple questions;
If we KNEW the answers to these questions and our marketing plan reflected these answers, then our marketing plan would be a very powerful document to action.
Managing partner, partners, practice manager, aspirational fee earners & marketeers.
Recording SlidesClick the dropdown to expand the webinar summary including content, time and speaker
16th March 23 - International Tax Refresher #1
12pm to 1pm GMT – Jeremy Mindell
Whilst it is impossible to be an expert in the tax provisions applying to all jurisdictions, this webinar will give a reminder of some of the areas of relevance to those with clients who have international tax aspects to their affairs. The webinar will consider current points of interest and the practical effect of any recent international changes and initiatives. In particular we will consider the impact of BEPS 2.0.
Managing partner, partners, practice manager, finance partner and aspirational fee earners.
Recording Slides
20th June 23 - IFRS and IFRIC Update
12pm to 1pm BST – David Potts
This one hour webinar is designed to cover all recent developments in IFRS including key developments and commentary from the interpretations committee (IFRIC) . The session will summarise key new developments, the implementations dates for all planned changes not yet in force and also an overview of the current project plan and timetable.
The session will typically cover:
• All new issued IFRSs and amendments to existing IFRS• New IFRIC Interpretations• An update on the current IFRS work programme including timetable
This session should be of benefit to all accountants and auditors involved in the preparation of IFRS financial statements.
Recording Slides
10th July 23 - ISA Update and Refresher
12pm to 1pm BST – Clare Jones
To provide auditors with the latest revisions to ISAs to ensure compliance with the requirements in their audit approach and procedures and relevant guidance from regulators.
This webinar is aimed at all levels of staff involved in auditing financial statements.
Recording Slides
19th September 23 - International Tax Refresher #2
12pm to 1pm BST – Jeremy Mindell
Whilst it is impossible to be an expert in the tax provisions applying to all jurisdictions, this webinar will give a reminder of some of the areas of relevance to those with clients who have international tax aspects to their affairs. The webinar will consider current points of interest and the practical effect of any recent international changes and initiatives. In particular we will consider the impact of BEPS 2.0.
Managing partner, partners, practice manager, finance partner and aspirational fee earners.
Recording Slides
2nd October 23 - IFRS Common Disclosure Problems
12pm to 1pm BST – David Potts
This one hour webinar will summarise all the most common issues and problems encountered by preparers when trying to produce a fully compliant set of IFRS financial statements. Even if IFRS don’t change, the surrounding economic circumstances will, the session is designed to make sure attendees are up to speed with the most important current issues.
This session will typically cover:
This session will be of use to all accountants and auditors who are involved in the preparation of IFRS financial statements. It is designed to help you to avoid making the kind of mistakes that are made by others.
Recording SlidesClick the dropdown to expand the webinar summary including content, time and speaker
27th February 23 - Root Cause Analysis (RCA) – Getting to the root of the problem
10am – 12pm GMT – John Selwood
Root cause analysis is a very useful tool when addressing deficiencies in audit quality and in 2023 its use will become mandatory under the new auditing standard, International Standard on Quality Management (UK) 1 (ISQM 1).
The session will look at:
All auditors who expect to be required to perform root cause analysis, as part of the firm’s system of quality monitoring and remediation.
Recording Slides
27th April 23 - ISQM Early Findings and Points to Note
10am – 12pm BST – Jeremy Williams
Audit firms had a target date of 15 December 2022 to implement their ISQM-compliant System of Quality Management (SOQM). While some firms managed the transition smoothly, for others it’s been a painful process.
This webinar will share experiences of ISQM implementation and the early findings of firms, reviewers and consultants of how effectively firms’ system of quality management (SOQM) has been working. It will also consider regulators’ attitudes and likely responses to firms during 2023.
The session will cover:
The webinar is aimed at audit partners and other staff responsible for implementing their firm’s SOQM.
Recording Slides
15th May 23 - Top 10 Audit Issues for 2023
10am – 12pm BST – John Selwood
This session will cover the principal audit issues of 2023 and provide practical, real-world solutions to these big challenges.
This is a topical course, and the content will reflect that. The course is likely to cover issues such as:
This webinar is aimed at all auditors.
Recording Slides
25th May 23 - Risk Assessments and lessons learned from ISA 315
10am – 12pm BST – John Selwood
This session will take a deep-dive look at one of the most important areas in auditing – risk assessment. It will consider compliance with ISA (UK) 315 (Revised) as well as how good risk assessment can be used to drive audit quality as well as audit efficiency.
The course will cover:
This webinar is aimed at all auditors.
Recording Slides
5th July 23 - Data Analytics for Accountants and Auditors
10am to 12pm BST – Frankie Hackett
Participants should come away with the knowledge and confidence of how they can take small steps towards using data and analytics for modernisation and automation, and an understanding of how they can add value to their firms or clients through championing modern technologies without being a technology expert.
Managing partner, partners, practice manager, aspirational partners, directors, those with an interest in but limited experience of analytics.
Recording SlidesClick the dropdown to expand the webinar summary including content, time and speaker
14th February 23 - Cyber-Security for the Practicing Accountant
10am to 11am GMT – Andy Larkum
With the threat of a cyber security incident growing daily, UK businesses are having to be increasingly careful. Never mind the potential for a fine from the ICO, the damage to a firms reputation resulting from a data breach involving client or staff data has the potential to be terminal. Laced with examples and explanations, this webinar will look at practical action you and your firm can take to reduce the potential for a business-interrupting cyber security incident.
Everyone! Everyone should attend this, but given that’s unlikely, we suggest that Managing partner, partners, practice manager, finance partner and aspirational fee earners should attend.
Recording Slides
