Tech Faculty
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Technology
Keep up-to-date with tech issues and developments, including artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, big data, and cyber security.
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In this section
Artificial intelligence
Business forecasting
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, business modelling, forecasting and planning have never been so important or so difficult. But tech tools such as AutoEntry, Futrli and Anaplan PlanIQ have never been smarter or more plentiful. Lesley Meall considers some of the underlying drivers.
After the pandemic comes the fourth industrial revolution
How has the pandemic affected the fourth industrial revolution and the drive to new technology? Lucy Ingham writes for the Financial Services Faculty.
FRC flags recruitment and training as audit tech growth risks
5 January 2021: Training and skillsets have topped the list of concerns of respondents to an FRC consultation on the use of technology to enhance audit quality
What the digitalisation of healthcare means for M&A
Many trends already in motion before COVID-19 have been accelerated by the crisis – including digitalisation of healthcare and pharmaceutical services. So what does this mean for M&A in the sector? Laura Morrill of ECI Partners reports.
Blockchain
The essential guide to blockchain
This guide from the ICAEW sets out the key features of blockchain, and the challenges it must face to reach widespread adoption. It includes case studies of real-life applications, as well as examining its impact on accountancy.
What is blockchain?
Blockchain technologies have the potential to disrupt the work of finance teams – particularly those focused on transactional tasks – by offering a system of universal entry bookkeeping, removing the need for independent verification. Here ICAEW’s Tech Faculty and Deloitte outline the basics of this complex and developing technology.
Cloud computing
What does 2021 have in store for IT
There is no doubt 2020 saw some significant changes to working methods and practices and all the signs are that this will continue into 2021.
Exceptions - exceptions - exceptions!
Exception reports are a favourite tool. It is all very well having reports but is the underlying data in those reports a) correct and b) complete?
The client dashboard view
A hugely valuable resource for work allocation and planning.
Pandemic 2020: the new way of working
How do you recruit staff and blend an office while working remotely? Our members offer insights on the new business challenges of integrating new staff, keeping them in touch, maintaining advisory roles and addressing compliance issues.
Cryptocurrency
Bit-Crazy? Why we can no longer afford to ignore Bitcoin
By passing the 10-year mark, Bitcoin has gained some acceptability by major institutions.
COVID-19: A scientific perspective - looking to the future
Brought to you by the ICAEW Financial Services Faculty, this webinar provides a conversation with Professor Peter Piot of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Special Advisor on COVID-19 Research & Innovation
Can bitcoin make it as a mass-market digital payment
Writing for the Financial Services Faculty, journalist Billy Bambrough examines the case for bitcoin as a major payment provider.
Cyber security
Mitigating malware
If you’ve been hacked, whether it’s espionage or blackmail, Leo Waldock advises you act quickly to fix the vulnerability – and tell your clients.
The importance of cyber awareness training
Chris Hannett, Director of Cymplify, explains the real-world impact where such awareness is lacking, and why employees must maintain constant vigilance to prevent cyber attacks.
Cybersecurity: building a business plan of action
26 February 2021: The National Cyber Security Centre has launched a new tool to help businesses access relevant cybersecurity guidance and tackle the growing threat of cybercrime.
Python data and successful coding
Python is the computer language of choice for accountants. Kirstin Gillon explores its data-handling and statistical capabilities, and Rick Payne describes learning to code.
ECA calls for better exchange and analysis of tax data
25 February 2021: Fair and effective taxation in the single market continues to be hampered by insufficient sharing of tax information, according to a recent report issued by the European Court of Auditors.
Spreadsheet Knowledge Base launches
So, a few days after the touchdown of one massive leap for mankind on a different planet, another one launches. The Spreadsheet Knowledge Base was inspired by the change in web platform for the ICAEW communities last year.
Exciting changes to your Excel online training
As a Faculties Online subscriber, you already have access to eight suites of online training via our partner, Filtered.
Sway: PDFs for the 2020s
When we read news, blogs, social media we are used to visual clickable, scrollable layouts so why then are we still using static pdfs as the primary source of business communication? We rarely print anything, especially during these work from home times, so anything paginated is simply illogical. Although legally binding, signed contracts should probably remain as pdf’s, when it comes to anything more creative such as proposals, brochures, newsletters or certain reports, consumption through pdf feels prehistoric.
Excel Community round up - February 2021
Here are all the new Excel articles and webinars from the Excel Community in February 2021. Posts marked as public can be accessed by anyone; other articles are accessible to Excel Community & Tech Faculty subscribers and can be accessed by logging in to your ICAEW account.
Accountants guide to Excel mastering number formats part 2
We have reposted this article, originally posted in 2019, to ensure the completeness of our Accountants' Guide series in our new archive access portal and to include an updated link to the 20 Principles for Good Spreadsheet Practice sample template.
Finance in a Digital World
Digital transformation
ICAEW has brought together these resources to help you understand how digital technologies are transforming economies and workplaces. Learn what it means for businesses and accountancy practices.
AI for finance professionals
ICAEW has brought together these resources to help you understand artificial intelligence and what it means for finance functions. Here you'll find support on identifying how AI can benefit your organisation and how it to start implementing the technology.
RPA for finance professionals
ICAEW has brought together these resources to help you understand Robotic Process Automation (RPA), what it means for your organisation and how it to start implementing the technology.
The future of accountancy work
Digital technologies are set to have a revolutionary impact on the work of accountants, both in business and in practice. ICAEW has gathered together these resources to ensure its members understand how finance functions will change, the skills that will be needed and the role you will play.
IT management
Tax Faculty Budget Update 2021
In this webinar the Tax Faculty team will be reflecting on the announcements from the Budget
Tax news in brief
Highlights from the broader tax news week ending 3 February, which includes: a restrained Scottish Budget in light of the coronavirus pandemic and HMRC publishes a Brexit edition of its Agent Update with guidance on postponed VAT accounting.
Exam top tips
Nahla Betelmal, ICAEW Statistical Researcher, has compiled the following common mistakes students are making in their ICAEW CFAB and ACA Certificate Level exams.
What does 2021 have in store for IT
There is no doubt 2020 saw some significant changes to working methods and practices and all the signs are that this will continue into 2021.
Software
Sway: PDFs for the 2020s
When we read news, blogs, social media we are used to visual clickable, scrollable layouts so why then are we still using static pdfs as the primary source of business communication? We rarely print anything, especially during these work from home times, so anything paginated is simply illogical. Although legally binding, signed contracts should probably remain as pdf’s, when it comes to anything more creative such as proposals, brochures, newsletters or certain reports, consumption through pdf feels prehistoric.
Our new exam software is here
Our new Professional and Advanced Level exam software launches in March. Students who took part in live trials tell us what they think.
Our new exam software is here
Our new Professional and Advanced Level exam software launches in March. Students who took part in live trials tell us what they think.
Technology and the profession
Automation in finance functions: lessons from India and the UK
Drawing on real-life experiences, this collaborative thought leadership report by ICAEW and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) considers how finance functions can harness automation to deliver greater value to business and the skills needed by accountants in the future.
Ethics and technology - latest thinking from IESBA
As accountants increasingly innovate with data, AI and other technologies, is the profession’s ethics code fit for purpose in this new world?
Digital transformation of businesses during the Covid-19 crisis
Many businesses have had to adapt quickly in the last three months to deal with the impact of Covid-19 and lockdown, by making sure they are able to run their businesses remotely and mainly digitally by using and implementing the right kind of software.
Risks and assurance of emerging technologies
Cognitive and automation technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) have drawn a great deal of interest, but also concern about the potential for bias and misuse. ICAEW’s Tech Faculty examines the risks associated with the adoption of emerging technology and how these risks can be tackled through internal controls and assurance.