By Graeme Wilkinson, Convenor of the Ulster Society Public Sector Sub-Committee
Chartered accountants play a critical role in supporting the effective delivery of our public services. With unprecedented financial pressures on the public purse and ever-increasing demands to improve services the role of Chartered Accountants in the public sector is more critical now than ever.
There are a growing number of Chartered accountants working in a variety of roles in the public sector and at different stages of their career. The Ulster Society already offers a range of support to members working in the public sector with plans to build upon this in the future.
To do this, the Society has a Public Sector Committee made up of Chartered Accountants working in the public sector in Northern Ireland who are keen to offer their expertise and make a difference to fellow members. Graeme Wilkinson, Director of Skills in the Department for the Economy has recently been appointed as Chair of the committee.
Graeme says, “Supporting our members is a key priority for the committee over the next few years. For many members, the workplace has been transformed. We want to ensure that our members at all stages of their career feel supported and value the services of the Institute. We also hope to provide an opportunity to network and share experiences.”
Supporting members
The committee is working with the Institute team to review the current training provision and to identify opportunities to enhance the offering to best meet the needs of members. They are also reflecting on the most appropriate mode of delivery with webinars offering a convenient and accessible platform, particularly for those members working across the country.
Graeme says: “How we meet has changed irrevocably since 2020. Whilst we recognise that meeting together in person is important to catch up with contacts and broaden networks, time is a limited commodity for many of us and can be a barrier to attending events. We hope to bring a balanced offering for members who wish to keep up to date with relevant issues and also provide opportunities for members to meet together for those all-important catchups. We are hoping members will take time to try out something new and provide feedback to make sure we are meeting the needs of our members. “
The committee plans to offer opportunities for members to meet in person during the year and are looking at developing a half day conference on topics which are relevant to those members working in the public sector. The committee recognises members avail of CPD from a range of sources and hope to supplement with topics that will be of most interest and also work with other professional institutes to bring a diverse perspective on the topics covered.
Innovation
The committee have discussed the current issues facing the NI public sector and recognise the need to future proof services. The challenges ahead will require the adoption of greater innovation and embracing technology to address some of the knotty problems that have bedevilled us for decades. Creating a culture of innovation is a key policy focus in the economic strategy and a theme for the Ulster Society this year.
Graeme says, “We need to think differently about how we deliver public services. With squeezed budgets and increasing cost pressures we must put our best efforts into alternative solutions to address old and new problems. Technology has provided the potential, but far and away the biggest barrier to change is developing the all-important mindset of innovation in our people. Chartered Accountants working in the public sector have a unique perspective and are often in a prime position to provide solutions. Therefore, we must support these drivers for change and innovative thinkers.”
The Northern Ireland Audit Office have recently launched their report on “Innovation and Risk Management - A Good Practice Guide for the public sector”.
Dorinnia Carville, Comptroller and Auditor General, commented: “With the realities faced in the public sector changing fast the need to innovate and adapt and to so with speed is no longer an option but a necessity. If we are to meet the level of innovation required to deliver on government and citizen’s needs and expectations this means that public sector organisations need to take a more deliberate approach to innovation management.
"Innovation will be a critical corporate capacity for public services seeking to reconcile these factors and ensure public services are better targeted, more responsive to end user expectations and needs, and provide better value for money."
There is certainly a role for Chartered Accountants to show thought leadership by providing members with a forum to discuss potential and their experiences with other members facing similar challenges.
In looking ahead to the incoming period in office Graeme commented, “I am looking forward to supporting members working in the public sector through the Public Sector Committee. Having worked with some great Chartered Accountant’s throughout my career I have had first-hand experience of where we have delivered for the benefit of citizens right across the province. I would like to encourage members to invest in their personal development by participating in the upcoming events and to get in touch if they would like to know more”.
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