Blog Article

IRIS teams up with professional body ACCA

By Steven Cox

Author

By Steven Cox

Chief Evangelist

Steve is Chief Evangelist of IRIS; a technologist and chartered accountant (FCCA) who looks at how technology can simplify the modern working environment.

He joined IRIS in 2002, who’s career at IRIS has spanned many areas of the business including Customer Support, Engineering and Product Management. His most recent previous roles at IRIS include Senior Product Director and Interim CTO.

Steve has over 18 years of experience in technology and accounting which he uses to work closely with customers, software companies, accounting/governing bodies and the government to champion the digital transformation of UK Education organisations, SMEs and Accountants.

In Steve’s current role as Chief Evangelist, he has looked across the globe at how technology and legislation is changing the roles and requirements professionals in the workplace and looking to the future to predict how their roles will further evolve.

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Updated 11th January 2023 | 2 min read Published 22nd August 2018

Pictured above: Steve Cox, IRIS Chief Evangelist, speaking at the rountable event

In February this year, IRIS, along with representatives from the industry and competition met with HMRC to identify how it can work to ensure businesses maximise the opportunities as we digitise the economy.

Amid the many discussions there was one clear aim: the unswerving mission is to make the UK economy more successful.

The need to collaborate with industry and competition has never been so great. Our work with HMRC not only encompasses Making Tax Digital but the wider context as to how we make UK businesses digital.

However, we also need to ensure accountancy continues to be an attractive sector for talented and ambitious people. The progression in technology and the transformation the industry is undergoing can help firms be even more entrepreneurial and thrive in the digital economy.

To help define the future for accountancy advisory firms, IRIS has today signed a memorandum of understanding with the ACCA, the global body for professional accountants. Click here to read the news release. The aim is to help their small to medium sized practitioner members develop their technology awareness and talent, advise on technology developments and identify how these can be used to grow their own business and that of their clients.

In addition to mastering new ways of working, we are also struggling with a key skills and talent gap: according to the FRC’s key facts and trends annual report, there has only been a 1% growth in practice talent in the last ten years. Looking at these figures, sharing expertise and sourcing great advice though partnerships is vital to our industry progression.

We are looking forward to a close working relationship with ACCA, industry competition and partners to help support the practices of today and to educate tomorrow’s accountancy professionals. Our goal is simple: to help every sector of the industry thrive in the digital economy.