OPINION: LEADER – Be at the heart of the debate.

OPINION: LEADER - Be at the heart of the debate.

Finance directors of FTSE 100 companies are among the most influential players at the top table of UK plc. But for whatever reason most accountants – whether in practice or business – lack any kind of influence on government policy. By reputation they shouldn’t. How many times have we heard MPs stand up in post-Budget debates and say that the chancellor’s measures have done nothing but serve the interests of accountants? This may give the profession prominence but it denies influence: it casts accountants as the passive victims of government policy and not a group with the power to effect change. Now, in 2000 that could – and should – be changing for the majority who are not involved with the very biggest players in the world of British business. Elsewhere on this page, small business minister Patricia Hewitt acknowledges that SMEs are ‘the innovators and job creators of the future’. Some would argue it is a little late in the day but that would be churlish. It is time for the rest of the profession to capitalise on the acknowledgement and place themselves at the heart of the debate. Firstly the profession should ensure it is properly represented on the new Small Business Council, which will report to trade secretary Stephen Byers on the needs of SMEs. Whether it has real teeth remains to be seen. And of course this should only be an initial step. But scepticism is no excuse for not participating.

Share

Subscribe to get your daily business insights

Resources & Whitepapers

Why Professional Services Firms Should Ditch Folders and Embrace Metadata
Professional Services

Why Professional Services Firms Should Ditch Folders and Embrace Metadata

3y

Why Professional Services Firms Should Ditch Folde...

In the past decade, the professional services industry has transformed significantly. Digital disruptions, increased competition, and changing market ...

View resource
2 Vital keys to Remaining Competitive for Professional Services Firms

2 Vital keys to Remaining Competitive for Professional Services Firms

3y

2 Vital keys to Remaining Competitive for Professi...

In recent months, professional services firms are facing more pressure than ever to deliver value to clients. Often, clients look at the firms own inf...

View resource
Turn Accounts Payable into a value-engine
Accounting Firms

Turn Accounts Payable into a value-engine

3y

Turn Accounts Payable into a value-engine

In a world of instant results and automated workloads, the potential for AP to drive insights and transform results is enormous. But, if you’re still ...

View resource
Digital Links: A guide to MTD in 2021
Making Tax Digital

Digital Links: A guide to MTD in 2021

3y

Digital Links: A guide to MTD in 2021

The first phase of Making Tax Digital (MTD) saw the requirement for the digital submission of the VAT Return using compliant software. That’s now behi...

View resource