Robert Hodgkinson, Executive Director, Technical

Thought Leadership

Aim of presentation

Share ICAEW thought leadership experience

Why ICAEW does thought leadership

Why ICAEW does thought leadership

• A profession is built upon a body of knowledge

• Professional institutes inspire public confidence in their members' knowledge

• A profession's body of knowledge needs to develop and respond to a changing world

• The ICAEW charter requires it to 'advance the theory and practice of accountancy'

• ICAEW acts as a bridge between academics and practitioners

What thought leadership involves

What thought leadership involves

• Commitment to long-term programmes

• Identification of continuing themes

• Belief in the benefits of diversity and collaboration

• Willingness to learn from experience and evidence

How ICAEW does thought leadership

How ICAEW does thought leadership

• Programmes that cover activities of ICAEW and all its faculties

• Input and oversight from members and non-members 

• Interaction of practitioners and academics

• ICAEW events and participation in non-ICAEW events

• Papers written by ICAEW staff, independent academics and others

Benefits of thought leadership

Benefits of thought leadership

• Practical input to a wide range of academic research

• New insights and appreciation of different perspectives

• Guidance that members can apply in practice

• Access to governments, regulators and public policy making

• Confidence in our institute, qualifications and members

Examples of ICAEW thought leadership

Examples of ICAEW thought leadership

• Annual Information for Better Markets conferences

• 'Measurement in financial reporting' and 'Developments in new reporting models'

• Audit Quality Forum work on national application of international standards

• 'Alternatives to audit' and 'Sustainability: the role of accountants'

• 'Reporting with integrity' and 'Instilling integrity in organisations'

Challenges of thought leadership

Challenges of thought leadership

• Policy makers and other practitioners like certainty

• Some activities and results are not popular with everyone

• Some organisations' thought leadership is of poor quality

• It is difficult to take account of differing national circumstances

• Effective engagement requires substantial resources

Summary of presentation

Summary of presentation

• Thought leadership is fundamental to professional institutes

• A long-term commitment to developing knowledge is needed

• There is a wide range of potential benefits from thought leadership

Discussion points

Discussion points

• Relevance to CICPA of ICAEW thought leadership experience

• Opportunities for CICPA and ICAEW to work together