The CA magazine: June 2019
By Robert Outram, Editor of The CA
28 May 2019
Robert Outram, Editor of The CA, rounds up what's inside the June issue of the magazine.
Technology is one of the key themes of The CA’s June issue. Our cover this month features Shahbaz Mirza CA, who heads Digital Transformation at Campbell Dallas. He talks about how this professional practice is embracing the digital era, and also about why he was keen to take part in the #ProudtobeaCA campaign. Read more in the magazine and check out his video here.
Our Technology special feature includes an article in The CA Agenda series, looking at the major changes that are set to change accountancy at a fundamental level. Within the working lifetime of those just coming into the profession now, artificial intelligence is predicted to equal or surpass our own. What are the risks and opportunities created by this brave new world? Read this article to find out!
We also look at cloud accounting software and how it is being used and talk to some of the industry leaders at the annual Accountex expo and conference.
Also in this issue, you can read reports on two pressing issues for pension schemes and scheme members.
First, managing pensions risk: we find why organisations with defined benefit schemes are increasingly looking at ways to reduce their liability, particularly consolidation (combining schemes with those of other employers, to spread the risk) and pension transfers (effectively paying scheme members to give up their defined benefit pension rights).
Second, following a High Court ruling last year involving Lloyds Banking Group, employers need to ensure that pension scheme members who lost out due to discriminatory retirement ages are recompensed? How they do so is a complicated question, as our experts discover.
With confusion still reigning over the terms and timing of the UK’s departure from the European Union, we talk to CAs and industry experts to see how they are coping with Brexit, and what business should be doing right now to prepare for any likely eventuality. You can also see what the latest ICAS Brexit Tracker survey told us about what CAs think and what they are already doing to be ready for Brexit.
The June issue also features a Q&A with Nova Scotia-based Mark McDonald CA; City column on London falling behind New York in the deal stakes; an account from student Marc Treanor of how the ICAS Foundation made an incredible experience possible for him; and Dr Zain Sikafi has the Last Word on how employers can do more to promote mental wellbeing.
The CA magazine: June 2019
