Accountancy Age Best Practice Conference 2011

MORE THAN 100 senior practitioners from around the country attended the 2011 Accountancy Age Best Practice Conference.

The day was opened with a keynote address on the characteristics of leadership from RSM Tenon CEO Andy Raynor and included sessions on social media, competing with Big Four firms, technology and the skills needed by the modern partner.

Further speakers included Scott Barnes, CEO of Grant Thornton UK, Heather Townsend, author of the Financial Times Guide to Business Networking and John Whiting, director of the Office of Tax Simplification.

Marketing expert Kevin Wheeler led a focus group on business development while technology consultant Richard Messik spoke on mobile technologies.

Peter Gillman, managing director of Price Bailey, chaired a panel discussion on taking on Big Four competitors that saw Paul Windsor, of WSM Partners, and Peter Townsend of Duncan Toplis offer their advice.

In another presentation, Rakesh Shaunak of Macintyre Hudson spoke on the changing business models employed by modern practices.

The day was finished with a discussion on the role of the modern partner and the balance between client work and business development. The panel featured Mandy Mitten, managing director of Mitten Clarke, Clenn Collins, head of advisory services at ACCA and Phil Shohet, a director of Kato Consulting.

The conference took place on the 23 June at the Victoria Park Plaza Hotel.

Andy Raynor, CEO, RSM Tenon and keynote speaker

Peter Gillman (Price Bailey), Peter Townsend (Duncan Toplis) Paul Windsor (WSM Partners)

Rakesh Shaunak, principal, Macintyre Hudson

Heather Townsend, author of the Financial Times Guide to Business Networking

John Whiting, director of the Office of Tax Simplification

Scott Barnes, CEO, Grant Thornton

Mandy Mitten (Mitten Clarke), Glenn Collins (ACCA) Phil Shohet (Kato Consulting),

Kevin Wheeler, Wheeler Associates

Richard Messik, owner, RFM Associates

Delegates