This year's educational programme takes a close look at the impact international accounting standards and changes to corporate governance best practice will have on IT decisions. We have selected six events at this year's show which you cannot afford to miss.
Choosing finance software to help your business When:
Wednesday 3rd March, 9:00 – 10.00
Why should you attend: It’s stating the obvious to say that choosing the right products to run your business is crucial to its success. But you have to know what’s out there and what it can do for you, before making an informed decision.
Paul Booth, from the ICAEW’s IT Faculty presents this breakfast briefing which examines how business needs are changing and how the IT industry is meeting this change.
He will also take you through the selection process when choosing software and how to avoid the pitfalls which can hamper your IT project.
IAS the right way, IAS the wrong way When: Wednesday 3rd March 10:30 – 11:30
Why should you attend: International Accounting Standards are less than a year away now, which means that this time next year all listed EU companies will be operating under the new global standards.
In this masterclass by Andrew Smith, principal at Atos KPMG Consulting, he looks at the impact IAS is likely to have on EU companies and whether it should be viewed as a purely accounting project or a holistic one.
UK companies are just about starting to wake up to the reality of IAS, so this should not be missed!
The role of IT in corporate governance When: Wednesday 3rd March, 13:00 – 14:00
Why should you attend: Tom Berry, deputy editor of Financial Director magazine will chair this panel debate on what is currently one of the hottest business topics in the UK, following the revisions to the Combined Code, based on recommendations from the Higgs and Smith reports.
In addition the panel will also look at Sarbanes-Oxley and International Accounting Standards, which all aim to improve corporate governance and transparency.
With companies scrambling to understand just what is required of them, this panel discussion will throw some light on what is a complex yet key issue for any business wishing to retain shareholder support.
Case study – implementing a finance system – the Exeter College experience When: Thursday 4th March, 11:45 to 12:45
Why should you attend: Presented by Rebecca King, director of finance at Exeter College, this will present attendees with the unique opportunity to see how an educational institution overhauling its accounting systems.
This knowledge learned resulted in a number of key tips and advice generated for other businesses and organisations looking to manage such a project.
With International Accounting Standards just around the corner, thousands of businesses in the UK and across Europe will soon be having to contemplate just such an overhaul so to get a first hand account of the full process from thought to realisation will be invaluable.
Shared or outsourcing – which is right for you When: Thursday 4th March, 13:00 to 14:00
Why should you attend: Outsourcing has been in the media spotlight of late particularly in the banking sector where services such as call centres have been farmed to places like India, dramatically reducing costs, but also drawing resentment from some who claim jobs are being taken offshore.
Peter Kurtz, principal at Atos KPMG Consulting, will look at how a company should go about deciding when and where to go outside the business and will also examine what issues will prove key to success or failure if an outsourced solution is favoured.