ICAS Practice Conference 2024
ICAS Practice Conference: Navigating the future
Date: Wednesday 5 June 2024
Time: 09.00 until 17.00 BST (morning refreshments, lunch and tea/coffee will be offered during the day)
Location: Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, 1 Festival Square, Edinburgh, EH3 9SR
Dress Code: Smart casual
Cost: Free to attend
We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the ICAS Practice Conference, in association with FreeAgent. Join us as we bring together expert speakers to explore the challenges facing accountancy practices and how to overcome them.
The accountancy profession is facing a sustained period of change, creating a constant environment of uncertainty. This year’s conference will delve deeper into these challenges – from attracting and retaining staff to keeping up with the latest technology – and offer practical strategies to navigate the evolving landscape.
With a focus on practical guidance and success stories, our speakers will share insights on staying agile in the face of uncertainty, leaving you feeling inspired and ready to take action.
Exclusively for members in practice, the conference will include expert-led sessions and round tables, with ample time for tackling some of the key issues facing the profession, while networking with fellow members in a collaborative and friendly environment.
Don’t miss the opportunity to have access to some of the profession’s most innovative accountants and speakers at this must attend event.
Why should you attend?
- Get inspired by our expert-led sessions and obtain in-depth knowledge on the latest topics impacting the profession.
- A chance to step back and work on the strategic direction of your practice to leave you better equipped to deal with the challenges of today.
- Networking with the speakers and fellow members facing the same challenges.
- Collaborative and friendly environment which aids idea generation and sharing of best practice.
What did attendees say last year?
"So pleased I attended, great to meet everyone and plenty of productive advice that I am already incorporating into our firm"
"Some of the advice and experiences of the speakers were invaluable"
"Clear practical advice and tools to help develop people, processes and tech"
"The best event I have attended by ICAS"
Take a look back at some of our highlights from the Digital Practice Conference in 2023.
Digital Practice Conference 2023
Sessions
08.30-09.30 Registration
09.30 Opening remarks
Richard Sergeant, Managing Director, Principle Point (Host)
Attracting the best talent
Saskia Cochrane, Head of Attraction for Employer Branding and Early Talent, Wiser
Retaining talent is often one of the biggest barriers to growth for firms - younger candidates are looking for more, motivated by culture and social purpose as well as the usual career and salary prospects. Learn how to attract top talent into your practice and what you need to consider to be top of their list!
The power of a strategic tech stack: harnessing innovation in practices
Fraser Peebles, Business Development Manager, FreeAgent
Is your tech stack a collection of disconnected tools or the perfect balance between innovation and strategic vision? Join FreeAgent’s Fraser Peebles to discover how the right digital tools in your tech ecosystem can revolutionise your practice
Takeaways
- building a dynamic tech ecosystem in your practice
- AI-powered tactics and tools for staying ahead of the curve
- insights into FreeAgent’s powerful integrations
Sustainability – influencing the change
Gavin Spencer, Managing Director, Beach Accountants
Discover how accountant's skillset will be in demand and will influence the change in sustainability – either as an additional charging service or assisting our clients to conform to the supply chain net zero. Hear from an accountant who has a Certification of Sustainability in Finance and is taking the lead in sustainability issues.
HMRC – MTD for ITSA
Chris Campbell, Head of Tax (Tax Practice and Owner Managed Business Taxes), ICAS
Join HMRC for this MTD for ITSA deep dive on how to get ready for April 2026 and hear more about the transformation of HMRCs tax services. Discover what agents and their clients can do to reap the benefits of digitalisation.
The rise of AI
Billie Mcloughlin, Practice Consultant, 2020 Innovation
Learn about the rise of AI as well as some simple ideas and concepts that you can implement to your practice today to save time and resources. A less technical and more practical approach to AI.
Navigating the future – Empowering practices amidst uncertainty
Rachel Harris, Founder of accountant_she and striveX
Hear from one of the most impactful accountants who is disrupting what it means to be an accountant as she talks about strategic adaptability, resource optimisation, human-centric solutions and success stories.
Strategic Adaptability: Explore practical strategies to navigate the evolving landscape of talent, technology, economic shifts, regulatory frameworks, succession planning, and tax policies. I'll share insights on staying agile in the face of uncertainty.
Resource Optimization: Tailored for small practices, discover innovative ways to optimize resources, whether it's a solo practitioner or a small team. I'll delve into tools, technologies, and methodologies that allow for efficient operations.
Human-Centric Solutions: Acknowledging the overwhelming nature of uncertainty, I'll discuss how fostering a culture of continuous learning and collaboration within your team can not only alleviate stress but also fuel growth.
Success Stories: Drawing from my experience as the official accounting personality of the year 2023 and the breakout star of the year 2023, I'll share real-world success stories and practical case studies that resonate with the challenges faced by small practices.
Roundtable discussions
Bring the topics from the day together with a Q&A and roundtable discussion. Share your experiences with other practitioners and ask the experts your burning questions.
17.00 Close
Find out more about our speakers
In association with
We are thrilled to welcome FreeAgent as our headline sponsor of the ICAS Practice Conference: Navigating the future.
Discover the power of their award-winning software, with end-to-end solutions, robust features and proactive alerts designed to elevate your accounting practice and provide a seamless experience for clients.
Exhibition partners
