The UK accountancy sector is facing an urgent talent crisis, with accountants blaming outdated and negative perceptions for the weak talent pipeline, according to recent findings from accounting software provider FreeAgent. The latest research from FreeAgent surveyed 337 accountants and bookkeeping professionals to highlight the health of the industry’s talent pipeline and the future skills needed for the profession. Perceived barriers to accountancy enrollment With a sharp decline in the number of students choosing to pursue accountancy qualifications, among the most significant obstacles are negative stereotypes about the profession, cited by 57.1% of respondents, high education costs (47.1%), and the lengthy…
Author: sme-admin
ThreatQuotient™, a leading threat intelligence platform innovator, last week released the Evolution of Cybersecurity Automation Adoption 2024. Based on survey results from 750 senior cybersecurity professionals at companies in the U.K., U.S. and Australia from a range of industries, this in-depth research report examines the progress senior cybersecurity professionals are making towards adopting automation, its key use cases and the challenges they face. The fourth edition of this annual survey highlights how automation is maturing and how, in a world of continuous change, organisations are adopting cybersecurity automation for resilience, scale and collaboration. The report examines approaches to integration, whether…
Research suggests that up to 50% of people are introverts, and yet so much conventional leadership wisdom focuses on developing people’s ‘extrovert’ qualities in order to succeed at work. But what if introversion isn’t something to “fix”, and being quiet could actually make you a better leader? In a world where extroverted leaders often dominate the conversation, new book Quiet Leader offers a refreshing perspective. It empowers introverted individuals to embrace their unique leadership strengths such as humility, good listening, being reflective and staying calm. Quiet Leader helps introverts in business understand the value they add and how to overcome the…
Bibby Financial Services’ Mike Day and Age UK Leeds once again spread festive cheer this year This December, the annual charity event “Ron’s Christmas Lunch” returns to Leeds, bringing festive celebrations and community to over 130 elderly Yorkshire locals. Since its inception in 2018, Ron’s Christmas Lunch has provided a much-needed opportunity for connection and celebration, offering free Christmas lunches, entertainment, and companionship to some of Yorkshire’s most isolated residents. This year’s event is taking place on the 3rd December at the Marriott Hotel in Leeds. The event, organised in partnership with Age UK Leeds, was founded by Mike Day,…
With Black Friday just around the corner, thousands of deals and discounts will be up for grabs on November 29th. Whether you’re a savvy shopper hunting for bargains or getting a head start on holiday gift shopping, there will be plenty of irresistible offers to take advantage of. However, it’s crucial to stay vigilant, as online scams tend to increase in the lead-up to major sales events. Cybercriminals often take advantage of the larger audiences drawn to websites by discounted prices and special offers, making it more important than ever to protect yourself from potential threats. Marco Farnararo, CEO and…
Ben Allwright – Technology Leadership Council Member and Chief Executive Officer of Ogi examines how reliable, high-speed internet is reshaping lives, boosting rural communities, and fueling global competitiveness for businesses. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you ‘the internet’…” These are the words many of us might imagine were said when Tim Berners-Lee introduced his groundbreaking idea of a “web of information” back in 1989. This moment planted the seeds of transformation that have grown into the most powerful tool of the 21st century. But as we know, there wasn’t an immediate “Eureka” moment. Instead, it was the decision to…
The average workplace will have a mixture of personality types, from introverts and extroverts to those who are more task-oriented than people-oriented. Online DISC Profile recognises four main personality types that people identify with: dominance, influence, steadiness, and conscientiousness (DISC) which businesses need to familiarise themselves with. Adam Stamm, co-owner of Online DISC Profile, says: “Business managers who recognise their employees’ different personality types can offer better support. For example, a task with many detailed elements that are expected to take a long time to fine-tune is perfect for someone with the ‘C-Style’ or Conscientious Personality. Suppose that individual isn’t…
Businesses have been warned to look out for tell-tale signs their internet security has been compromised. With cyber security threats a very serious problem to businesses, online cloud experts from TelephoneSystems.Cloud have shared the signs that should be monitored to ensure that there has not been any breaches. When a business’s internet security is compromised, there are some unique signs beyond those that affect individuals. These can range from operational disruptions to financial anomalies. According to figures from The Cyber Security Breaches Survey, half of businesses (50%) experienced some form of cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months. For…
Artificial intelligence has become one of the key transformative forces in today’s business world, unlocking many opportunities for growth, efficiency, and innovation. As currently seen in tools like ChatGPT, the general imagination captures only a slice of what AI can do. For businesses looking to maximise their value whether it be driving profitability, scaling operations, or positioning for a future sale-it’s important to look at more AI applications than just generative text tools. For instance, McKinsey and Company and PwC are leading industry analysts who think AI will make a significant difference economically in the coming years. For example, McKinsey…
The Autumn Statement has been met with a mixed reception by self-directed investors – dubbed DIY investors, in that they actively choose their own investments – according to new research from the wealth manager, Charles Stanley. The highly anticipated Budget, which saw the Government take measures to raise tax and increase spending, succeeded in not causing market panic at the outset, though the longer-term effects of the changes to the UK economy remain to be seen. When asked whether they believe the announcements in the Budget will help UK investors in the long-run, respondents were almost split down the middle, with 38%…