Financial Power List 2019: 6-10 revealed

Compiled by the Accountancy Age editorial team, the Financial Power List 2019 ranks the 50 individuals who we believe will make the biggest difference in the accountancy industry over the next 12 months.  Individuals considered for the list span government, practice and business. Their status or role does not guarantee their position in this ranking, but rather we have chosen individuals who we think will have an impact in one way or another based on what changes they are predicted to spearhead, whether that be in government policy, tax changes, regulation, firm growth, or industry diversity.

Make sure you check back to view the full rankings, which will be released on 15 February, with five individuals announced every day between now and then.

Here, we reveal the individuals who have made positions 6-10 on this year’s list.

10. Elizabeth Truss, Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Elizabeth Truss is the currently Chief Secretary to the Treasury, having been first appointed in June 2017. Truss is a qualified management accountant, and her current responsibilities involve the likes of spending reviews, in-year spending control, public sector pay and pensions, and Annually Managed Expenditure (AME).

It is undeniable that Truss will therefore have a huge part to play in the UK’s economy in 2019.

9. Bill Michael, Chair, KPMG

Michaels’ first year at the helm of KPMG got off to a flying start as the firm announced its fastest annual growth in 10 years, and a 53 per cent jump in profits.

That was largely attributed to investment in technology, which will be critical as the Big Four giant moves forward. It has not all been plain sailing however. KPMG has suffered blows to its reputation after several high-profile scandals, including a probe into its role as auditor of collapsed government outsourcer Carillion.

Critical to moving forward will be taking an active role in audit reform, as well as guiding the firm through the murky waters of Brexit.

8. David Sproul, Senior Partner and Chief Executive, Deloitte

When David Sproul steps down from his position in May this year, he will have a legacy to look back on with pride. Sproul led the way for the industry on harassment when he revealed last year that Deloitte had fired 20 people in the past four years for inappropriate behaviour, which included bullying and harassment. The rest of the Big Four then followed suit in announcing their own figures.

Under Sproul’s leadership, Deloitte has also extended a zero tolerance policy towards clients who harass employees, a bold step. With the company’s global revenue up 11.3 percent in 2018, Sproul will leave Deloitte in good health as it prepares for the challenges of Brexit, audit reform and fast-emerging new technologies.

7. Paul Eagland, Managing Partner, BDO

As the audit market faces big changes, BDO put itself in prime position to take advantage of them. A merger with Moore Stephens, spearheaded by managing partner Eagland on the BDO side, helped the firm leapfrog Grant Thornton to as the next challenger to the Big Four.

Eagland says his goal is to see BDO automatically included in audit tenders among FTSE clients. His expressed openness to other mergers in 2019 puts Eagland and BDO firmly on the list of ones to watch this year.

6. Jacky Wright, Chief Digital and Information Officer, HMRC

Having previously worked for Microsoft Corporation as the corporate vice president, Jacky Wright was more than qualified to be appointed as the new chief digital and information officer (CDIO) at HMRC in 2017. She is well-known in the industry as being particularly innovative in the technology sector and is the right person to lead HMRC’s ambitious digital transformation programme.

Wright has also received recognition of her work surrounding diversity. We are excited to see what she has planned for 2019.