Introducing your IRIS World speakers: Mike Warburton

By Matthew Thompson | 25th September 2013 | 9 min read

There is a major change to accounting standards coming soon. The change should not be underestimated, could be a steep learning curve for accountants, and planning for it should start now. No, this is not a blog post on iXBRL from 2010, but the change that is coming is equally as significant.
 In recent times, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) have been developed to provide a common accounting framework and ‘language’ for businesses across the world. Slowly but surely the IFRS framework is replacing many of the different national accounting standards around the world. 
For practices in the UK, we are seeing a slight variation on this theme. From 2015, the current UK GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) accounting standards we all know and love are set to be replaced by a new framework developed by the FRC. The FRS 101 and 102 standards are based on IFRS, but with some changes to allow for Companies Act 2006 legislation and a few other localisation amendments. 
As you no doubt know, IFRS has been mandatory for all publicly owned limited companies and subsidiaries since 2005. The good news is that FRS 101 will allow parent and subsidiary members of groups currently applying full IFRS to report using a reduced set of disclosures moving forward. So, this should mean less time spent on preparing such accounts.
All other medium to large sized companies (FRSSE companies are excluded but changes are planned here too) will need to comply with FRS 102 from January 2015. This is a significant change not to be underestimated and your planning and preparation should start now. The changes will have an impact on all accountants and consideration will be needed on how you can ensure that your clients meet the new requirements for company disclosure.
IRIS has an unbeatable track record of being prepared for new legislation and statutory requirements well ahead of the deadline. We delivered IFRS compliance for publicly listed companies ahead of time in the lead up to the initial transition in 2005, we made iXBRL a straightforward process and delivered a solution some 6 months ahead of schedule, and we are now focused on delivering FRS 101 and 102 updates to support accountants in practice and industry.
To help you prepare for FRS 101 and 102 we have put together a free guide: "5 key facts about FRS 101 and 102". This guide looks at the following topics:
What are FRS 101 and 102?
Why are these standards being introduced?
Who will be affected?
When does the changeover to FRS 101 and 102 take place?
How will these changes affect the software that accountants use in preparing accounts and returns?
Download the free guide now (Link to whitepaper)

Next month will see the return of IRIS World, our annual conference series for the accountancy sector. For those of you who haven’t been before, IRIS World is a day aimed at providing you with useful information, ideas and tips to help enhance your practice.

With the latest updates on compliance, practice excellence and cloud computing, IRIS World 2013 is not something you want to miss. 

As well as speakers from IRIS, the event will also feature guest speakers including tax expert Mike Warburton, who will be providing our tax keynote presentation.

Mike Warburton is a tax director at Grant Thornton UK LLP and their lead spokesman on tax issues with the media.  He joined the firm in 1980, becoming a partner in 1984.  He was head of tax and then senior tax partner for many years, becoming a tax director in 2009.  In that period, he has advised a wide range of entrepreneurial businesses and high net worth individuals. 

Over the last 25 years, he has acted as an expert witness on a wide range of tax litigation cases. He has given evidence to the House of Lord Economics Committee and assisted HMRC and the Treasury on tax policy issues put out for consultation. He has been a member of the Radio 4 Money Box Team for 20 years, is quoted regularly in the national press on tax issues and is consulted by the media on some of the steamier tax issues from time to time.

IRIS World 2013 will be taking place on the following dates:

 

  • London – 2nd October 
  • Coventry – 9th October
  • Manchester – 15th October
  • Falkirk – 23rd October

To find out more or to register for your free place, visit the IRIS World 2013 page.

Register for IRIS World