Technical resources

Digital by default

Comments from ACCA to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC, November 2011)

Breaking Free

As more organisations look to outsource their finance functions, how do they ensure that they have the right accountancy skills in the right place? Julie Spillane FCCA, Accenture Business Services (Ireland) gives one of the views from the interviewed markets.

Harnessing diversity for global business performance

This briefing paper introduces the 2011–12 ACCA–ESRC roundtables about harnessing diversity in business with some short examples of how diversity, or the lack of it, affects sustainable business growth.

Hiving it off

Offshore, onshore, not sure? Finance functions are changing radically, with operations being outsourced or consolidated in shared services centres. We explore the key issues.

The e-professional: embracing learning technologies

ACCA, November 2011. This paper reviews how online approaches to learning and assessment are affecting professional development, and the impacts this is having on employers of finance professionals. It presents the world of the e-professional based on research among training and development experts, and it explores what the future of online learning and assessment may look like.

Global economic conditions survey report: Q3, 2011

The global economic conditions survey, carried out jointly by ACCA and IMA since late 2011, is the largest regular economic survey of accountants in the world, both in terms of the number of respondents and the scope of economic variables it monitors.

FRC: gender diversity on boards

Comments from ACCA to the Financial Reporting Council.

SSC supplement special

Shared Services Roundtable – The first ACCA Ireland shared services roundtable, held on 6 May 2011, brought together high-level FCCAs within the sector in Ireland, sharing perspectives on an area recognised as being of strategic importance to Ireland’s high-value services-driven economy.

No soft option

ACCA Accounting and Business [interview], July 2011. An Accountant working for one of the world’s major software companies might seem like a numbers overload. For Cathriona Hallahan FCCA, however the key to success has always been people.

Inside outsourcing

Exploring the personal impact of outsourcing and shared service centres on finance professionals around the world.

Spotlight on Irish outsourcing

To outsource or not to outsource – There are many benefits to outsourcing, not least, cost, but there are many other issues to consider too.

Global economic conditions survey report: Q2, 2011

The global economic conditions survey, carried out jointly by ACCA and IMA since late 2011, is the largest regular economic survey of accountants in the world, both in terms of the number of respondents and the scope of economic variables it monitors.

IAASB: ISAE 3410, assurance engagements on Greenhouse Gas Statements

Comments from ACCA to the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), June 2011

Global economic conditions survey report: Q1, 2011

The global economic conditions survey, carried out jointly by ACCA and IMA since late 2011, is the largest regular economic survey of accountants in the world, both in terms of the number of respondents and the scope of economic variables it monitors.

Maximising People Power: Effective Talent Management in Finance

This report provides a follow-up to ACCA's survey 'Talent Management in 2010'. A key finding of this research was that less than 20% of organisations had a talent strategy that fully integrated talent identification, development, deployment and retention activity across the finance team.

Accounting for Health

ACCA research report 121, by Hay, Jen and Lievens.

ACCA guide to... import finance

Many businesses find importing requires greater financial flexibility and reserves than buying from a UK supplier. Rather than buying on credit, you must often commit finance well before delivery. Negotiating the right agreement with your supplier can cut the cost and effort involved.

Business Advice to SMEs: Human Resources and Employment

ACCA research report 123, by R. Jarvis and M. Rigby.

BHP guide to...payroll

Payroll is a crucial part of your operations. The government requires you to account for and collect tax and National Insurance (NI) and report it under the ‘Real Time Information’ (RTI) PAYE system, and can impose penalties for failure, missed deadlines and inaccurate data.

BHP guide to...managing your creditors

You rely on good relations with creditors for the smooth operation of your business. Suppliers (trade creditors), the bank, and statutory bodies such as HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) all affect the cashflow of most businesses.

BHP guide to...intellectual property

Whether your business relies on innovative new products or just the strength of your reputation, it almost certainly involves some intellectual property. You need to use your own intellectual property as effectively as possible. You also need to be sure you are not infringing the rights of others.

BHP guide to...business angels

Finance of £25,000 to £750,000 can be surprisingly difficult to obtain. Banks generally require security and many venture capital firms are not interested in financing these amounts.

BHP guide to...budgeting 

Are you going to be in control of your new business? Will you know in advance about any looming cashflow problems? Unless you use properly prepared budgets, the answer is probably going to be no. Budgeting sets out the financial targets for your business. It helps you anticipate problems and compare what has actually happened with what you expected.

BHP guide to...leadership

Whether you are the managing director or a shift leader, the way you lead is the single biggest success factor for everyone you work with. Leaders change the organisations around them. They make a difference to the business, rather than just making the business work. Leadership is about what you do. It involves learnable skills that can be applied to the tasks that occur in every business.

BHP guide to...website and email law

Some people think that the Internet is an unregulated free-for-all, but this is simply not the case. The law still applies, although in some areas its interpretation and effects are not entirely clear. And in some cases, such as Internet sales, there are additional laws that give consumers extra rights. The international nature of the Internet, and the ease with which information is copied and transmitted, can lead to additional problems.

BHP guide to...using training effectively

Training can turn an employee from mediocre to good, and make a good person excellent. On the other hand, a person without training can be a brake on the business.

BHP guide to...advertising strategy 

Almost every business needs to promote itself in some way, reaching out to customers and potential customers.

Guide to... CPD and tax relief

ITEPA 2003, section 336 sets out the general rule regarding deductions for expenses.

BHP guide to...research your export markets

It’s essential to carry out thorough research before you start exporting. It will help prevent costly mistakes, boost your chances of choosing the right market and show you how to sell your products and services in that market.

Guide to...the financial services compensation scheme (for clients)

Since the collapse of Northern Rock, and the continuing effects of the “credit crunch”, a lot of people have had concerns about whether money in the bank is safe. Many people are now aware of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme This was set up under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and it protects deposits, insurance policies, insurance broking, investment business and mortgage advice.

BHP guide to...stress management

Work-related stress affects employers as well as employees. It can cause illness and absenteeism and can be the cause of bad business decisions, poor workplace relations and loss of productivity. Managing it effectively can bring many benefits.

BHP guide to...creating a brand

Having a brand can differentiate your business from your competitors’ firms and drive customer loyalty. Branding isn’t just for multinationals with huge budgets: small and medium-sized firms can create an effective brand by examining how the business works, what it means to its customers and acting on the results.

BHP guide to...interviewing

Interviewing is a central part of finding the right person for the job. Done well, an interview is an effective way to find out about a candidate. Done badly, it provides poor information which results in poor decisions.

Guide to... workplace pensions automatic enrolment

This is a basic guide prepared by the Technical Advisory Service for members and their clients. It should not be used as a definitive guide, since individual circumstances may differ. Always get specific advice.

BHP guide to...exhibitions

Exhibitions provide a unique opportunity to display your product and business to large numbers of potential customers.

BHP guide to...floating your company 

Floating your company can be one of the most exciting experiences in your business life. But it can also be stressful, time consuming and expensive.

BHP guide to...graduate recruitment

Most businesses would like to benefit from an influx of talent, enthusiasm and fresh ideas. The challenge is to achieve it at an acceptable cost. One option is to employ a recent graduate.

BHP guide to...NVQs

Measuring performance at all levels is one of the keys to success for growing businesses. Traditional financial measures alone are no longer sufficient. Measuring the performance of employees and the contribution they make to achieving goals is essential. NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) can help do this.

BHP guide to...insolvency

Companies or individuals with debts they are unable to pay are said to be insolvent. By the time a business starts thinking about insolvency, things are already going badly. Simply allowing yourself to run out of money is the worst possible way of handling it. If you understand your options, you can take steps to improve the situation.

BHP guide to...the euro

The euro is the single currency shared by 16 of the EU’s 27 member states. Euro notes and coins were introduced on 1 January 2002. The UK is not currently part of the European single currency. But as the eurozone accounts for over half of the UK’s foreign trade, it has implications for a large number of UK businesses.

BHP guide to...an internet policy for your employees

The internet is a powerful tool for improving your business’ efficiency. But it can also be a great way for employees to waste time, damage the security of your IT system and give you legal headaches.

Global economic conditions survey report: Q4, 2010

The global economic conditions survey, carried out jointly by ACCA and IMA since late 2011, is the largest regular economic survey of accountants in the world, both in terms of the number of respondents and the scope of economic variables it monitors.

BHP guide to...graduate recruitment

Most businesses would like to benefit from an influx of talent, enthusiasm and fresh ideas. The challenge is to achieve it at an acceptable cost. One option is to employ a recent graduate.

BHP guide to...design

Businesses that underrate the importance of design are missing a major opportunity.

Guide to...coping with the falling pound

This is a basic guide prepared by the Technical Advisory Service for members and their clients. It should not be used as a definitive guide, since individual circumstances may differ. Always get specific advice.

Guide to...the financial services compensation scheme (for clients)

Since the collapse of Northern Rock, and the continuing effects of the “credit crunch”, a lot of people have had concerns about whether money in the bank is safe. Many people are now aware of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme This was set up under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and it protects deposits, insurance policies, insurance broking, investment business and mortgage advice.

BHP guide to...factoring and invoice

Factoring allows you to raise finance based on the value of your outstanding invoices. Growing businesses, in particular, often find that factoring is a more flexible source of working capital than overdrafts or loans.

BHP guide to...buying a business

Buying a business can be a big step forward, or it can turn out to be disastrous. This briefing assumes that you have already found a suitable, target business.

BHP guide to...pricing 

The prices you charge for your products can have a dramatic effect on sales and profits. Setting your prices too high can reduce sales abruptly, while undercharging can devastate your profits.

BHP guide to...recruitment

There is nothing more crucial to the success of a start-up business than the skills and attitudes of the first few people it employs.