First Intuition Think Tank (FITT) forums
In these unprecedented times, the ever-changing situation continues to affect employers in a way they haven’t done in the past. As a result, we have organised a continuing series of First Intuition Think Tank forums. Generally speaking, we will discuss the topics which are repeatedly affecting businesses right now. These topics are those we feel are most relevant to employers that we work with. Expert speakers will share their experiences on these topics and point us to real-world case studies.
Below you will find the schedule for our first four FITT forums for 2021 and a summary of what the sessions will cover.
Onboarding the ‘COVID Generation’ – Wednesday 9th June 2021 8.30am to 10am
Following on from the session in February, we will be looking at the additional support that employers and training providers should plan to offer to new hires affected by the pandemic to ensure that they smoothly transition into the workplace. This support to plug ‘COVID Skills Gaps’ is going to be particularly important to school and college leavers who will be studying AAT under the new syllabus being introducing in February 2022.
How the Pandemic has Changed the Accountancy Industry and How we Train New Intakes – Wednesday 30th June 2021 8.30am to 10am
This session will reflect on how the pandemic has affected the accountancy industry, the changes made by the awarding bodies during this time and how they have benefited the industry, the role the accountancy profession can play in the recovery of COVID, as well as predictions for the future. Representative speakers from the four awarding bodies, AAT, CIMA, ACCA, and ICAEW, will form a panel to discuss the topics above.
Previous 2021 FITT Forums
Recruiting the ‘COVID Generation’
This forum explored the impact the pandemic has had on young adults. As well as the allowances that will be required in recruiting the coming cohort of school/college leavers to account for lost learning and skills development opportunities. Not only will students have suffered huge disruption to their education for in excess of 12 months. They will have had extremely limited opportunities for early work experience in the hospitality and retail sectors. They will also have seen extra-curricular employer outreach and career activities disappear. This forum considered how the skill sets of these young adults are likely to differ from our normal expectations. As well as how their CV’s might look and what their exam grades may or may not mean.
Guest speakers including Form the Future, AstraZeneca, Leeds City Council, and Long Road Sixth Form College formed a balanced panel exploring the impacts on the different parties involved, from employer to student.
Find a summary of the points discussed at the forum here.
The Role of Data Analytics in Accountancy
This forum explored how digitisation, automation, and Artificial Intelligence are revolutionising the way that financial transactions are recorded. As well as how they are also transforming the way that data can be interrogated, analysed, and presented to aid better business decision-making.
We were joined by leading experts in this rapidly growing field, including Inflo, the financial DA software that is now embedding into ICAEW exams, Head of Products & Markets at AAT, Cambridge Judge Business School, GenerationCFO, and representatives from the awarding bodies AAT, ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW.
Find a summary of the points discussed at the forum here.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Workplace
This forum discussed the importance of diversity in the workplace for employers as well as what businesses can be doing to improve EDI. Embracing diversity and inclusion, and providing equality goes a long way in promoting a work culture that values talent beyond stereotypes. Moreover, an inclusive workplace fosters better productivity and efficiency, improves retention of staff, and can act as a major attraction during recruitment.
Guest panellists included Richard DeNetto, Associate Director at CBI and Campaign Lead for Change the Race Ratio, Sharon Critchlow FCCA, APFS, Chartered MCSI, FRSA, Wellbeing and Emotional Intelligence Evangelist and Trainer, Rachel Blackburn MBA, Executive Coach at US2U Consulting and Representatives from the awarding bodies AAT, ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW.
Find a summary of the points discussed at the forum here.
2020 FITT Forums
You can find a full archive of valuable insight from 2020’s First Intuition Think Tank forums here. Many of the discussions held last year are every bit as relevant now.
