Featuring a keynote from FRC Chief Executive Sir Jon Thompson, this online conference will explore how reporting and audit are transforming to strengthen trust and to help build a more sustainable future. See what’s happening across the two-day event here.

Trust and transformation will be the big themes running through the joint online conference of the Audit and Assurance Faculty and the Financial Reporting Faculty, taking place on the mornings of 11 and 12 October 2021, from 9.30am. As the profession seeks to strengthen trust through audit and corporate governance reform, and as businesses rise to the challenge of transforming to a net-zero economy, this virtual event will equip delegates to deal with these critical issues and help to build a more sustainable future.

The event will begin with a welcome from Iain Wright, Managing Director, Reputation & Influence, ICAEW, and a keynote address from Sir Jon Thompson, Chief Executive of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). Sir Jon will share insights on the significant package of audit and corporate governance reforms under way in the UK that are affecting boards, companies, external auditors, investors and the regulator itself. This opening address will then be followed by sessions featuring a number of expert speakers; you can learn more about them at our dedicated meet the speakers page.

Day one

On Monday morning, the sessions will focus on trust. At 10.20, Danielle Stewart OBE, Partner at RSM, and Jake Green, Partner at KPMG, will lead the session ‘Trust through bespoke reporting: it’s not rocket science’.

At 11.20 a series of breakout sessions will commence. Mei Ashelford, Director of Reporting Intelligence at Gather, and her colleague Robbie Cruikshanks will speak on ‘Reporting in turbulent times: how to build trust’. Simultaneously, there will be a sponsored session from Inflo, on key trends driving audit change. At 11.55, James Ferris, Head of UK Auditing Standards at the FRC, will focus on ‘Audit and fraud: preparing for change’, with a simultaneous presentation from Workviva. At 12.30, there will be two breakout rooms for: a session from CABA, the charity supporting accountants’ well-being, on ‘Hybrid working and the foundations of resilience’, with consultant trainer Isabelle Campbell; and virtual networking with other delegates. The event will close for the day at 13.00.

Day two

Tuesday’s sessions will focus on transformation, beginning with a keynote address from Lord Callanan, Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility.

This will be followed by a discussion on ‘Sustainability reporting and addressing the climate challenge’, with panellists Veronica Poole, a partner at Deloitte, Paul Lee, an investor and member of the new UK Endorsement Board, and Lyn Provost, a member of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board.

The breakout rooms open at 11.20. There will be a session on assurance mapping, looking at environmental, social and governance issues, led by Naomi Rigby, who specialises in ESG at PwC. There will also be a simultaneous, sponsored session, presented by Confirmation. At 11.55, this will be followed by a session on financial reporting and sustainability with David Wray, Global Accounting and Reporting Senior Director at Huawei, with a simultaneous sponsored session from Inflo.

At 12.30 on Tuesday there will be another opportunity to either network with fellow delegates or attend a CABA breakout session. This time, Isabelle Campbell will focus on stress management, introducing mindfulness and breathing exercises. The event will then conclude at 13.00.

You can learn more about the Financial Reporting, Audit and Assurance Conference and book your place by visiting our website.

Costs: faculty members £50 plus VAT; Faculties Online subscribers £75 plus VAT; ICAEW members £75 plus VAT; and non-members £100 plus VAT.