As ever, this is a busy time of year when the Institute commences its CPD programme for the autumn and we unveil our programme of events and conferences. The business environment has continued to change substantially in the last year, and we have formulated this programme of events, courses and specialist qualifications with a keen eye on equipping members to leverage that change in their professional lives. We have engaged closely with our members to ensure we are addressing your needs in our new programme. I look forward to your feedback.

After a lengthy period of virtual engagement necessitated by the pandemic, we surveyed our members in recent weeks to hear your preferences on engagement in the coming months. It is clear from your feedback that a shift has taken place when it comes to events. We see an appetite to attend larger conferences, awards ceremonies, and social events in person, but it is also clear that the virtual option will remain a preferred one for many when it comes to CPD courses, briefings, and other smaller-format meetings. This feedback will inform our planning in the months ahead.

As we move out of the shadow of COVID-19, another crisis will dominate this coming quarter – the climate crisis. COP26, which will take place in November, will drive this focus. Accountants’ skills and expertise strongly position them to help businesses adapt to meeting the sustainability challenge. The evolution of the CFO role in recent times is proof of this, but sustainability expertise is equally becoming critical among accountants at every level. The Institute will maintain its focus on equipping members for this task.
Finally, I would like to direct your attention to our recently published position paper, The Next Financial Year, which details policy measures the Institute is calling for in the months ahead. Informed by extensive engagement with members in business, practice, and the public sector, it focuses on improving government policy for businesses on the island of Ireland without demanding additional exchequer funding or support.
I look forward to engaging with you all in the coming weeks and months.

Barry Dempsey
Chief Executive