Balls tops AA power list

Economic secretary to the Treasury tops our list of most powerful people in the profession

Ed Balls is the most powerful person in the profession.

The Accountancy Age Financial Power List is published this week, detailing the top 50 movers and shakers both in the profession and influencing the profession. To read the full list click here.

'Ed Balls is often tipped as a future chancellor. The good news is that he appears to understand how the profession works,' the description of Balls reads.

Though not an accountant, Balls is already having have a huge impact on the sector. Balls worked on protecting UK companies against US Sarbox rules in 2006 and made moves to improve the scrutiny of spending of EU cash. He is likely to be even more influential in 2007.

John Griffith-Jones is the highest Big Four figure to appear at third, due to his greater willingness to take on the profession's critics.

Baroness Noakes, the shadow Treasury minister, is fourth. Formerly at KPMG, she is helping shape Tory policy on tax and in other areas.

The top ten, in order, are: Ed Balls, Sir Christopher Hogg of the FRC, John Griffith-Jones, Baroness Noakes, Peter Wyman of PwC, Simon Whitehead of Dorsey & Whitney, Dave Hartnett of HMRC (last year's number one), Jon Symonds of AstraZeneca, Philip Broadley of Prudential and Helen Weir of Lloyds TSB.

The list is selected by Accountancy Age's editorial team.

To read the full list go here