Topics

Michelle Howard, Michelle Howard Consulting Ltd

1G1A0246- M Howard

Topic: Leading with Impact: From Business Operator to Strategic Leader

The objective of this presentation is to equip attendees with practical strategies to transition from being hands-on business operators to strategic leaders, enabling greater efficiency, higher client satisfaction, and sustainable business growth.

This session will address the key challenges of small business leadership, helping owners shift from being hands-on operators to strategic leaders. It will offer practical tips for improving efficiency and productivity, linking these strategies to research on motivation to enhance both individual and team performance. Attendees will learn how to implement change effectively, with actionable steps to empower teams, streamline operations, and prioritise high-impact activities. By focusing on strategic leadership and practical implementation, this session aims to provide attendees with the tools to achieve long-term business growth, increased efficiency, higher client satisfaction, and enhanced performance across the business.

This session will cover: 

  • Identifying and addressing key challenges small business owners face when transitioning from operator to strategic leader.
  • Practical strategies to improve efficiency and productivity through automation, systems, and streamlined processes.
  • How motivation can be applied to enhance performance in a small business setting.
  • Actionable steps for implementing strategic planning, delegation, and prioritisation of high-impact tasks.
  • Methods to drive long-term business growth and optimise overall business performance

 Liz Barclay, Office of the Small Business CommissionerLiz Headshot (NEW) (1)

Topic: Quicker Payments: thriving businesses

When small business owners are asked what worries them most, payments are low down the list. They should be top of the agenda because when you get paid quicker and you know the money will arrive by the agreed date you have more confidence to invest. A small firm that invests in skills, retraining, better equipment etc increases productivity, grows and sells better products and services up the supply chain. It is more resilient and sustainable and Contributes more to the community it’s rooted in and to wider society. Good payment processes are the key to a stronger economy.

This session will cover:

  • Negotiating clear payment terms in the contract
  • What’s fair and what isn’t when it comes to payments: the law
  • Checking out your customer’s past payment performance
  • Getting help when the payments are stuck in the system
  • The boost to the economy and wider society of quicker payments.

Shane Lukas, AVN Inspiring AccountantsShane Lukas

Topic: Breaking the Communication Barrier: Transforming Accountant-Client Relationships

The accounting profession is experiencing a fundamental shift. While technical expertise remains crucial, the ability to engage meaningfully with clients has become a defining factor in practice success. Yet, this is precisely where many accountants struggle most.

Through my extensive work with accounting professionals, I've identified several common challenges that resonate deeply with practitioners:

  • The hesitation to move beyond pure compliance discussions, even when they know clients would benefit from broader business conversations
  • The fear of being perceived as "pushy" or intrusive when attempting to be proactive
  • A strong preference for email over phone or face-to-face communication, potentially limiting relationship development
  • The challenge of adapting communication styles to different client personalities, particularly given that accountants often have different behavioural profiles from entrepreneurial business owners

This presentation will address these challenges head-on, providing practical insights and strategies that attendees can implement immediately. We'll explore why face-to-face communication is particularly powerful, with body language accounting for 55% of communication effectiveness, compared to just 7% for words alone.

The session will equip attendees with:

  • Confidence to initiate strategic business discussions beyond compliance
  • Understanding of how to adapt communication styles for different client personalities
  • Techniques to overcome communication anxiety and build stronger client relationships
  • Strategies for choosing the most effective communication medium for different situations

Lenny Barry, HMRCLenny Barry

Topic: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax – getting ready!

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax will go live in April 2026. It is the biggest change to Self Assessment in a generation. It is important that accountants are aware of the changes, start getting their practices and clients ready. Clients will need digital records for their business and submit categorised summaries of income and expenditure each quarter to HMRC and the complete their tax return in compatible software by 31 January, after the tax year end, as now.

This session will cover:

  • What is changing?
  • What are digital records?
  • What are quarterly updates?
  • What are the taxpayer obligations?
  • Where can I get help? 

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Ian Clark, The IFA/IPA Group Benevolent FundIan Clark

Topic: The IFA/IPA Group Benevolent Fund – supporting people in need

As stress and hardship increases in the profession the Benevolent Fund is in place to support all members, former members and their dependents in times of hardship.

This session will help you understand how you can play a part in both building the fund and in encouraging those suffering hardship to seek support. Hear about some of the people your donations have helped through difficult times.

This session will cover:

  • Fund Background
  • The Trustees 
  • Progress since its launch in 2023 
  • Why you should contribute 
  • The people your donation is helping 
  • Encouraging those that need support to apply