In the face of high inflation and looming challenges, Budget 2024 should focus on supporting Irish SMEs, writes Neil Hughes As we look ahead to 2024, there remains much to be optimistic about. Despite high inflation, the latest Azets SME Pulse Survey reveals that fewer than one in five SME leaders anticipates a decrease in revenue and profits this year. This points towards the positivity that surrounds the future of SMEs. It’s not the time to be complacent, however. Challenges lie ahead. Rising prices are putting a squeeze on already tight margins while many businesses are facing difficulties in attracting and retaining talented people. Employing more than a million people and accounting for two-thirds of firms in the private sector, SMEs are the backbone of the Irish economy, and this group should be a major consideration for Government in Budget 2024. SME Innovation Fund We propose the Government set aside €2 billion to establish an SME Innovation Fund, so Irish SMEs can harness the opportunities of the twin digital and green transitions. Putting aside €2 billion from the recent record tax take, taken in conjunction with other measures, could provide an important step in diversifying Ireland’s economic model and ensure that SMEs are nurtured and can thrive long into the future. National minimum wage SMEs across Ireland are concerned with the increasing cost of doing business. We recommend limiting any increase in the national minimum wage next year to the rate of inflation prevailing on the date of the Budget rather than the 12 percent increase recommended by the Low Pay Commission, which would place a significant burden on SMEs. SME Talent Taskforce We urge Government to consider the creation of an SME Talent Taskforce to address the significant challenges facing SMEs in attracting and retaining talented people within the domestic economy. Featuring representatives of Government, Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices, employment bodies and the SME sector, it would be tasked with developing a dedicated roadmap to address bottlenecks in the labour market. Bringing together a new SME Talent Taskforce would help ensure that SMEs have a level playing field in attracting and retaining talented people and help them to succeed in a tight labour market. These measures should help SMEs ease the rising cost of doing business and staff shortages, as well as develop sustainable firms. Neil Hughes is the Managing Director of Azets Ireland

The ‘social’ facet of ESG is gaining more prominence with the evolution of gender pay gap rules, consumer trends and employee priorities, writes Doone O’Doherty The ‘social’ elements of environmental, social and governance (ESG) are rising in prominence, having played a secondary role to the environmental and governance pillars for some time. This lack of focus is partly because environmental and governance issues are much more clearly defined, and regulations in these areas are better developed – but things are changing. Local gender pay gap reporting regulations and the EU Pay Transparency Directive are game-changers. These, coupled with changing consumer preferences and employee attitudes, are prompting companies to increase their focus on social issues. The ‘S’ and tax contributions The social pillar of ESG looks at an organisation’s contribution to societal fairness. Total tax contributions are key in this regard, as tax is a key indicator of an organisation’s contribution to society. While the media often focuses on the level of corporation tax earned by the State, it is important to remember that companies are responsible for collecting income taxes via the PAYE system. In 2022, PAYE income tax and the universal social charge (USC) amounted to €25.46 billion. This equates to 30 percent of total Exchequer receipts. In addition, by paying employers’ PRSI (11.05%), employers are a significant contributor to the Social Insurance Fund, which funds social welfare benefits and the State pension. These are important components of an employer’s role in contributing to society via the tax system. This can increase trust in the market and promote an organisation’s overall purpose and values. The ‘S’ and pay equity When it comes to ESG and pay, the focus tends to be on linking executive pay to ESG goals. However, through an employment lens, an ESG strategy isn’t complete unless it addresses issues relating to all employees and supports the growth of a truly diverse workforce that is treated fairly, paid equitably and without bias. Equal pay In Ireland, equal pay provisions are contained in the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2021. Under this legislation, an employer is prohibited from paying an employee less (either directly or indirectly) in the same employment doing ‘like work’ on nine different grounds of discrimination. Although an organisation may be fully committed to equal pay, businesses must review their pay systems and consider carrying out an equal pay review to highlight issues they may not be aware of. If there are equal pay gaps, organisations must explain why. If no reasonable explanation can be found, steps must be taken to close the gaps. Gender pay gap Even if employers comply with equal pay obligations, they may still have a gender pay gap. Our analysis of 500 of the country’s largest employers that published gender pay gap reports in December 2022 found a mean gender pay gap of 12.6 percent. Firms must file new reports in December 2023 based on their situation in June. Progress in closing the gap will require a concerted effort that is enabled by HR, but led by business leaders, to improve the representation of women in their businesses. Pay transparency While many organisations already monitor pay equity, the EU Pay Transparency Directive – which must be transposed into national law by 2026 – introduces additional pay transparency measures. Key features of the Directive include: Recruitment: an obligation on employers to provide information concerning pay levels as part of the recruitment process and a prohibition to prevent organisations from asking candidates about their current or historic pay. Pay philosophy: a requirement for employers with more than 50 workers to share information on the criteria used to determine pay levels and progression. Pay information: a right for workers to request information on the average pay level split by sex for workers doing the same work or work of equal value. The ‘S’ and worker classification Spurred by COVID-19, on-demand labour platforms have grown. These offer new job opportunities for workers and convenient, more affordable services for consumers. The gig economy has become a hot topic in many societal and political debates. The debate primarily focuses on the workers’ working conditions and social security status. In Ireland, there are many ways to work and operate a business. Specific legislative protections for workers apply to each type of employment. For employers, it is important to ensure workers are correctly classified in a way that matches the reality of the relationship between the worker and the business. The misclassification of an individual can impact tax, social security and employment law rights and obligations. It can also lead to reputational damage if a company is perceived as treating workers inequitably. Acting as responsible corporate citizens With more focus on the social element of ESG, employers must make the following a priority for their organisation: Understand what legislation requires and the financial and reputational implications of getting it wrong. Ensure that their strategy, processes and systems around the changing regulations that underpin fair pay and workers’ rights are robust and accurate. Validate their organisation’s ability to produce the necessary statistical data to ensure compliance with the legislation. And if they cannot, identify the gaps. Employers should also begin crafting the narrative to explain how they support social progress – treating employees fairly, driving equality and acting as responsible corporate citizens. Doone O’Doherty is Tax Partner of People & Organisation at PwC

Afraid to negotiate? Ornaith Giblin outlines her top tips to help you overcome your fear and come out on top If negotiating a 10 percent discount on a store-spoilt item in a shop makes you feel uneasy, negotiating a large, complex business deal, asking for a pay raise or haggling with a vendor is probably your worst nightmare. Here are five useful strategies to help get what you want in any negotiation. Define your walkaway point and understand your variables Preparation is king, not only to become comfortable with your demand, but to fully understand and equip yourself with a self-made negotiation toolkit. Work out your lowest or highest walkaway point by asking yourself: when would it become financially unviable to continue the conversation? You should also consider what else you can offer your opposition, perhaps intangible, to get the best deal possible. Is it an introduction to another area of your business? An opportunity to tender for next year’s service agreement? These are your variables, your secret armour in the negotiation process. Own, command and use them. Decide what’s at stake Before going into any negotiation, understand two things: there are people, and then there are problems. Without managing both, you won’t agree to a solution. To negotiate effectively, it is important to distinguish your counterpart's underlying motivations from superficial bluffs. For instance, if you find out that their main motivation is to ensure you buy at least 25 laptops because they know they will cut a profitable deal at that volume, you may find that asking for free additional items is the best way forward. Minimise conflict How many times have you entered into a negotiation that has become tense or has even disintegrated because of personality conflict? Negotiation is outside of (nearly) everyone’s comfort zone, which means that, for most, these conversations are approached with mixed emotions. Add to this, the emotional pressures negotiating may bring to the table (perhaps performance-related), and you have a potential recipe, not just for tension, but also aggression and defensiveness. It is imperative that you go into a negotiation with your feathers unruffled. Be sure to watch your tone, try to build rapport and always be polite. No one has ever had a successful outcome by being rude. Don’t let price win or lose you the war You’re going into a negotiation with a walkaway point based on price, and likewise, your counterpart has come into the conversation from the same viewpoint. If you are both stuck on this walkaway point, you have to ask yourself what can be brought into the mix. If the price can’t be negotiated, what can you ask for as a compromise? If you have already identified what’s of value to the other party, and know what is of value to you, you can let that be your bargaining chip. Understanding your variables and theirs is key to optimising a negotiation situation. Find a win-win solution A wise person once said to me that a good deal is in your head. If you’ve achieved your objectives within your boundaries, and you are happy you’ve agreed to a good deal, then you could class yourself as a winner. However, if you’ve done that by derailing your negotiation counterpart, that’s a win-lose. By not finding a middle ground everyone is happy with, you’ve probably ruined your relationship with your vendor (or boss or organisation), leading to other issues down the line. In business, it’s important to never burn a bridge, and agreeing to a win-win solution is key to building mutually productive partnerships. Ensuring your solution is well-balanced and meets enough of both parties’ expectations is key to making sure you walk away from a negotiation with an actual good deal. If you really negotiate rather than barter with your counterpart, your relationship can produce longer-term mutual gains and a situation that can provide lasting returns for both parties. Ornaith Giblin is a consultant of mid-senior qualified accountants at Barden. You can get more information at Barden.ie

Welcome to this edition of Technical Roundup. In recent developments, Chartered Accountants Ireland are hosting a webinar Corporate Enforcement Authority – Insolvency on 5 October at 10am. This conversation is with Cathy Shivnan Director of Insolvency Supervision at the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) and gives insights into the CEA’s insolvency agenda; the EU Commission has issued a guidance note for EU operators on implementing enhanced due diligence to shield against Russian sanctions circumvention. Read more on these and other developments that may be of interest to members below. Financial Reporting The UK Endorsement Board (UKEB) has issued a draft comment letter for public consultation in response to the IASB’s Request for Information on its Post-implementation Review (PIR) of IFRS15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The International Accounting Standards Board has published Exposure Draft Annual Improvements to IFRS Accounting Standards—Volume 11.  The document is available to download from the Open for comment section and from the individual project pages on the work plan. The European Single Markets Authority (ESMA) has published the annual update of its Reporting Manual on the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF). This includes technical improvements and additional clarifications. The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) have issued their August update which summarises public technical discussions held and decisions taken during the month. In order for EFRAG to provide input to the initial phases of the IASB’s research project on the Statement of Cash Flows and Related Matters, EFRAG have issued an open call for tenders to assist in identifying uses and issues with the statement of cash flows. The IFRS Foundation has issued its August 2023 monthly news summary. This includes details of recent amendments to IAS 21, details of current consultations and requests for information and other matters of interest. Insolvency Chartered Accountants Ireland are hosting a webinar Corporate Enforcement Authority – Insolvency on 5 October at 10am. This conversation is with Cathy Shivnan, Director of Insolvency Supervision, at the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) and gives insights into the CEA’s insolvency agenda. The session will include some background on Cathy’s career and her journey from Revenue to CEA along with the evolution of the CEA from the ODCE. This webinar is a free event and open to all. Earlier this week, the UK government published its response to the consultation on ‘The Future of Insolvency Regulation’, which ran between 21 December 2021 and 25 March 2022. The consultation sought views on a comprehensive package of reforms to the insolvency practitioner regulatory framework. This response includes a significant package of reforms which addresses the current weaknesses, closes a loophole in the framework, and provides opportunities for further reform. It will strengthen insolvency regulation and increase public confidence in the framework. Sustainability Accountancy Europe, in collaboration with the European Sustainable Business Federation, have issued a paper ‘5-step starting guide to a sustainable transition for SMEs’.  The paper presents 5 first steps an SME can take to begin their sustainable journey. It is vital to initiate the process, even with small steps, and gradually start preparing the business for what lies ahead. EFRAG and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) have issued a joint statement confirming that they have achieved a high level of interoperability between their respective standards in relation to impact reporting. EFRAG has published its final comment letters on the ISSB consultation on Agenda Priorities and SASB methodology. Sanctions The UK Financial Conduct Authority recently issued a publication on firms’ response to increased sanctions due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the publication the FCA set out key findings from its assessments of sanctions systems and controls and includes examples of good practice and areas for improvement. While the publication is in respect of financial services firms, the findings in relation to good practices and areas that need improvement may be of interest in any efforts to making improvements to the approach to identifying and assessing the sanctions risks that firms are exposed to. In September 2023 the EU Commission issued a guidance note for EU operators on implementing enhanced due diligence to shield against Russian sanctions circumvention. It is to help European operators to identify, assess, and understand the possible risks of Russian sanctions circumvention. It includes circumvention red flags related to business partners and customers and .The EU Guidance note is in the same vein as the summary AML Alert  Russia sanctions – Trade sanctions circumvention  which was  produced by the Accountancy AML Supervisors’ Group (AASG) from an extract from the UK Department of Business and Trade notice NTE 2023/08: Russia sanctions – Trade sanctions circumvention published 22 May 2023. Details of this notice were brought to members attention in a news item from Professional Standards Dept. of the Institute of August 23, 2023 where they alluded to awareness of the risk and obligations in relation to sanctioned goods as an important first step for those working in the accountancy profession so that they do not become party to the trade sanctions circumvention. Other News In September 2023 the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ) announced a review of the treatment of domestic Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) by financial services firms. The review will look at firms’ arrangements for dealing with PEPs based in the UK and will report by the end of June 2024. In the previous month of August 2023 it invited UK PEPs to share their experiences, including any problems they or their family members have encountered with the PEPs regime. The FCA has previously (in 2017 ) published guidance for how financial services firms should treat customers who are politically exposed persons when meeting their anti-money laundering obligations. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has welcomed the appointment of Peter Wyman CBE as the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) first externally appointed Chair of the Board to modernise and strengthen the ICAEW’s governance and leadership. The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is writing to over 250 charitable organisations, in preparation for work to begin on phasing out what is known as the “combined list”.  A list of all organisations the Commission is aware of, which may be charities but have not been registered yet, the combined list has been an integral part of the regulator’s work to manage registration of all charities in Northern Ireland. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, has published the annual update of its Reporting Manual on the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF). The Pensions Authority has published its 2022 Annual Report and accompanying statement from the Pensions Regulator. The Charities Regulator is holding a free webinar on Wednesday 27 September 2023 at 1pm to assist registered charities in preparing their annual reports. If you want to attend this you may register here. For further technical information and updates please visit the Technical Hub on the Institute website.

  In this week’s Sustainability/ESG bulletin, read about a policy workshop on sustainable finance and biodiversity, CSO figures showing continued growth in the number of electric vehicles licensed in Ireland, and new public sector funding for climate action. Also covered is the new Ireland-UK energy cooperation agreements, a report showing how 80 percent of UK businesses are ‘unprepared’ for reporting requirements under CBAM, and the usual roundup of technical updates, articles and events. Sustainable finance and biodiversity Last week, Institute’s Sustainability Officer Susan Rossney spoke at the South-East Technological University and Queen's University Belfast Policy Workshop Addressing Biodiversity Loss with Sustainable Financial Solutions. The provision of finance is crucial for achieving the ambitious goals set out in the Kunming-Montreal Global Diversity Framework and the EU’s 2030 Biodiversity Strategy. Opened by Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan, TD, this fact-finding workshop was among several organised to explore how sustainable finance solutions can address biodiversity loss on the island of Ireland. Other speakers included Dr John Finn, Teagasc; Lucy Gaffney, Business for Biodiversity in Ireland; Paul Harris, Bank of Ireland and Dr Shane McGuinness, University College Dublin. Ireland and UK signs new energy cooperation agreements Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, T.D., has signed two new Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Claire Coutinho, the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). The MoUs will increase cooperation for developing offshore renewable energy, explore further electricity interconnection opportunities and enhance security of gas supplies. The announcement comes as the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar T.D. and Minister Ryan met with Ireland’s four largest Energy Retailers this week to reiterate the Government's concern at persistently high energy prices and to discuss how customers could be best supported for the coming winter. Separately, a public consultation has been launched by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to help inform the design and delivery of a ‘Private Wires’ policy, to be launched in 2024, and which provides a potential off-grid solution for the generation and supply of electricity. Growth continues in number of electric vehicles licensed in Ireland The Department of Transport has published its new Statement of Strategy 2023 –2025, which includes a focus on ‘Sustainability: Economy, Environment and Society’. The strategy was published as figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reveal that in the first eight months of 2023, 19 percent of all new cars licensed for the first time were electric, compared with 13 percent in the same period in 2022. Public sector funding for climate action in Ireland’s southern region The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, has committed to provide €2.9 million to support the Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) in the southern region over the next six years. The funding will help local authorities to deliver climate policies and behavioural change within their own organisations and to empower citizens, businesses and neighbourhoods to better understand the impacts of climate change and to embrace the need for climate action. CSO publishes Gender Balance in Business Survey 2023 The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has released Gender Balance in Business 2023 which provides statistics on gender representation in top management teams and Boards of Directors in Ireland. Findings included that one in four members of Boards of Directors in Ireland were female, up from almost 22 percent in 2021, and that female Chairpersons increased from 14 percent to almost 19 percent over the same period. Transforming the profession – the future of accountancy This week marks 15 years of the Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) Accounting Bodies Network. The ABN was established to support the global professional accounting bodies to share knowledge, collaborate to overcome common barriers, and champion the need for change within the accounting community. To mark this milestone, member bodies, including Chartered Accountants Ireland, have collaborated on a project to explore how the future of the profession can, and is, transforming to help build and support a sustainable economy. Transforming the profession – the future of accountancy focuses on three areas – skills, systems and technology. UK businesses ‘unprepared’ for EU trade 80 percent of UK manufacturers who are also exporters have no knowledge of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), according to new research carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce. The research – which surveyed over 700 SMEs – reportedly found that the majority of SMEs are unaware of reporting requirements under CBAM, under which EU companies must compile reports on the carbon emissions attached to some imported goods, including steel, aluminium and fertilisers, from October 2023. Businesses will have to buy certificates to cover pollution embedded in products from 2026. This lack of knowledge and preparation for the changes indicates that some traders with the EU may face a new delays and unexpected costs. In some cases, exporters could also find their goods unable to be transited to EU customers. Find out more about CBAM here. MEPs back plans to boost use of renewable energy The European Parliament has voted to boost the deployment of renewable energy, in line with the Green Deal and REPowerEU plans. The update of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), already agreed upon between MEPs and Council, raises the share of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption to 42.5 percent by 2030, and member states should strive to achieve 45 percent. There will be faster approval procedure for deploying renewables, and new fuels in the transport sector should lead to a 14.5 percent reduction of its greenhouse gas emissions. The legislation will now have to be formally endorsed by Council in order to come into law. Taking stock of the Sustainable Development Goals This week saw the launch of a report bringing together the results from the first UN Global Stocktake, since the Paris agreement was signed in 2015. This goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and to scale up climate finance. To measure progress against this goal, the global stocktake examines the efforts of Paris Agreement signatories to cut their carbon emissions, adapt to climate change, and mobilise finance and technology to help poorer nations respond to the crisis. Representing the culmination of two years’ work, the report provides critical information for countries and stakeholders to identify what needs to be done, any remaining gaps and opportunities for increased action. The report will be discussed at COP28, the annual global climate summit which takes place this year in November in Dubai.  Articles Cost ‘a barrier’ to sustainable product choices for 2 in 5 people, survey finds (Irish Times) Why did the EPA delete a tweet about eating meat? (Irish Times) NHS website records 552 percent surge in heat exhaustion queries (The Guardian) A really simple guide to climate change (BBC News) What to Watch at COP28 (Bloomberg Green) Small islands take case to protect oceans from climate change to UN court (The Journal) John Walsh: GDP is out of date – it’s time we found another way to measure economic growth (The Business Post)  Certificate in Sustainability Strategy, Risk and Reporting Classes start Wednesday 5 October Following four sellout sittings, our Certificate in Sustainability Strategy, Risk and Reporting for accountants is back again in October 2023. Over 8 weeks, you'll cover key reporting frameworks and metrics, and learn to address the ESG opportunities and challenges that organisations already face. Upcoming events   Dublin Chamber – Sustainability Academy Workshops Dublin Chamber has announced it will offer Sustainability Academy workshops in Autumn. Beginning with a workshop on Sustainability/ESG 101 in September, the 3-hour Zoom workshops includes a free one-hour, post-workshop one-on-one advisory consultation per company with an expert advisor. Find out more here. Online, September 2023  Business Post LIVE/iQuest: Energy Transition Summit In person: 19 September, Croke Park, Dublin ESDN: European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW) 2023 18 September – 08 October. 113 initiatives in 10 countries. IFAC & WMBC: Achieving Investor-Grade GHG Reporting: The Role of Accounting and Finance Professionals Virtual: 19 September, 9:00am ET for Climate Week NYC Chartered Accountants Ireland Virtual CPD Update – Career Progression and Transition (ROI/NI) Morning plenary session followed afternoon sessions, run and delivered by the District Societies, including the Western Society session on Sustainability and ESG Reporting (Catherine Duggan, Orla Carolan, Peter Gillen, Susan Rossney). Irish Museum of Modern Art: EARTH RISING Four-day festival of free events and experiences aimed at addressing the climate crisis and aiming to provoke, empower and inspire collective action in audiences to become agents of change for a sustainable and hopeful future.~ In person: 21–24 September, IMMA site, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 FW31. DETE: Building Better Businesses North-East Event, Dundalk Institute of Technology The latest in the series of Building Better Business events organised by DETE across the country to help businesses focus on the opportunities and challenges presented by the green economy and digital transformation. This event is open to businesses based in the North East. In person: 22 September, 9.00 - 1.00 -  Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC), Faulkner Building, Dundalk Institute of Technology. EPA: Circular Economy Conference This hybrid event will be an opportunity to learn about recent developments in the circular economy and the opportunities and challenges in implementing a circular economy in Ireland. There will be opportunities to network and participate in polling and Q&A sessions. In person: 27 September, The Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Green Team Network: ESG Networking Breakfast An intensive session tailored for Ireland's industry leaders seeking to understand and act upon the financial implications of climate change, this event aims to bridge the gap between climate financial risk and sustainability education. In person: 27 Sept, 08:00 – 9:45, Dean Hotel, 33 Harcourt St, Saint Kevin's, Dublin 2, Ireland Women in Business (Northern Ireland) Women in Finance Women in Business is running a wide-ranging programme of female entrepreneurship events over the upcoming months. The events include sectoral networking, webinars, and training courses for essential skills. A specific session on women in finance will focus on work in finance departments, small scale accountancy or work for yourself, both members and non-members are welcome to join this online event. Virtual: 25 October, 10.00-11.30am Sustainable Finance Skillnet is offering funded training opportunities until October 2023 to Irish employees in the financial services sector at 30 percent of course fees (with 70 percent funding available for members of the International Sustainable Finance Centre of Excellence). Virtual: September-October 2023 Accountancy Europe: Preparing for high-quality sustainability assurance engagements In person: 3 October, 14.00-17.00, ACE events - Av. d'Auderghem 22, 1040 Brussels Climate Finance Week Ireland 2023 In person and virtual: Monday, 20 November – Friday, 24 November Network for Chartered Accountants working on ESG projects Are you a Chartered Accountant working in ESG or working on ESG-related projects? Would you like an opportunity to engage with other Chartered Accountants working in this space to share insights, challenges and opportunities? Chartered Accountants Ireland now has a network to allow members working in sustainability/ESG to meet and discuss all matters of interest re ESG and accounting. 3rd or 4th Wednesday of every month Next: 27 September 2023  14.00-15.00/30 Teams If you would like to attend please email sustainability@charteredaccountants.ie   You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.    

The demand for the services of our profession has never been stronger. In Ireland and across the world, the marketplaces in which we operate are ever changing, bringing opportunities and challenges in the short and longer term.  As an Institute, we are always looking ahead to ensure our qualification, resources, standards and services continue to be world class and fit for purpose in an ever-changing environment and a new world of work. By doing this, we can continue to be an attractive career option for talented, mobile recruits, and a future-ready, dynamic profession equipped to support businesses and economies.    We recently started discussions with CPA Ireland to explore areas for cooperation and innovation.  As the two all-island accountancy bodies headquartered in Ireland, it makes sense to engage in this way on behalf of the profession and our members, students and firms.  Any potential opportunities identified by these discussions will be shared with members in the weeks ahead. Sinead Donovan, FCA  President, Chartered Accountants Ireland 

As a member of the A4S Accounting Bodies Network (ABN), we have made a great deal of progress in the knowledge and skills needed to implement sustainable finance practices. But as the world changes due to macro sustainability trends such as climate change, biodiversity loss and inequality, more is needed. Our profession needs to adapt in order to be at the forefront of these changes, and as your professional body, we will support you on this journey. As a professional body, it is vital that we help the profession adapt so that it keeps pace with sustainability developments. To celebrate the 15-year anniversary of the ABN, we have shared our views of how we think the profession may transform in the future in this thought piece. This collection of insights focuses on how systems, technology and skills will change the profession in the near future, and what we, as your accounting body, can do to support you to adapt. We look forward to helping shape that future and building a springboard from which new generations of accountants can take us forward even further. You can access this online resource here.  

  In September 2023 the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ) announced a review of the treatment of domestic Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) by financial services firms. The review will look at firms’ arrangements for dealing with PEPs based in the UK and will report by the end of June 2024. In the previous month of August 2023 it invited UK PEPs to share their experiences, including any problems they or their family members have encountered with the PEPs regime. The FCA has previously (in 2017 ) published guidance for how financial services firms should treat customers who are politically exposed persons when meeting their anti-money laundering obligations.

In Irish news, the Institute has informed the Minister for Finance of members’ concerns with the proposed new enhanced reporting requirements and we give you an update from the recent meeting of the Tax Administration Liaison Committee Collections subcommittee. In UK news, the Autumn Statement will take place on Wednesday 22 November, and the Institute is discussing with HMRC the 31 October 2023 deadline for the end of the VAT margin scheme in respect of certain second-hand cars.  In International news, the OECD publishes the 2023 Secretary General tax report.  Ireland The Institute, under the auspices of the CCAB-I, has written to the Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath T.D., to highlight significant concerns our members have about the proposed introduction of Enhanced Reporting Requirements. Read our update from the September 2023 meeting of TALC Collections subcommittee. UK Last week the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the Autumn Statement will take place on Wednesday 22 November. The Institute is discussing with HMRC the 31 October 2023 deadline for the end of the VAT margin scheme in respect of certain second-hand cars. International This year’s Secretary General tax report has been published providing an update on the progress on the OECD’s Two-Pillar Solution. Keep up to date with all the latest Irish, UK, and international tax developments through Chartered Accountants Ireland’s Tax Newsletter. Subscribe to the Tax News by updating your preferences in MyAccount. You can also read this week’s EU exit corner here which features updated guidance and publications and the news that the UK has agreed a deal to associate to Horizon Europe.     

On 1 September 2023, the Institute responded to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) invitation for comments on their proposed changes to the “UK Corporate Governance Code” (‘Code’)*.  The proposed changes arise from a UK government request of the FRC to strengthen the UK Corporate Governance Code in specific areas following the recommendations arising from UK White Paper on “Restoring Trust in Audit and Corporate Governance” (‘White Paper’) published in 2022. Some of the key changes proposed to the Principles and Provisions applying to boards include: Setting out a revised framework of prudent and effective risk management and internal controls to provide a stronger basis for reporting on, and evidencing their effectiveness. Improving the quality of comply-or-explain reporting, taking account of recently published FRC research and reports, e.g. reducing boilerplate wording and requiring reports to demonstrate the outcomes of governance activities. Revising the responsibilities of the board and audit committee for sustainability and ESG reporting, and associated assurance in accordance with a company's audit and assurance policy. Aligning governance and reporting practices with changes to legal and regulatory requirements as set out in the Government's response to the White Paper, including strengthening reporting on malus and clawback arrangements. The Institute response welcomes FRC proposals that: discourage boilerplate reporting and encourage clear and concise disclosure on the reasons for any departure from the Code’s provisions, and how the Board has otherwise adhered to the overall principles of the Code. encourage consideration of and reporting (in accordance with established sustainability reporting standards) all material sustainability and ESG matters, including climate ambitions and transition planning, in defining business purpose, strategy, and values. increase the emphasis on workforce and broader stakeholder engagement, strengthening diversity and inclusion, and improves the effectiveness of remuneration policies and transparency. respond to some of the Chartered Governance Institute recommendations on board performance reviews and emphasis on improving board effectiveness. engage with emerging risks and opportunities such as artificial intelligence, for which the Institute have provided, in our response, some detailed considerations for inclusion in FRC guidance. Some of the key points highlighted in the Institute’s response focused on: The missed opportunity from limiting the update of the Code to reacting to legislative proposals rather than addressing learnings from corporate governance in recent years, including the principles and values (including ethics and healthy culture) that were lacking in respect of high-profile corporate failures. Highlighting the increasing role and responsibilities of Audit Committees, and the risks arising by mandating them as default for additional requirements versus ensuring the ability of the Board, who are ultimately responsible, to delegate roles and responsibilities as it sees fit in accordance with fiduciary duties. The lack of guidance and definitions for key terms used in the principles and provisions which, if provided, would provide for better understanding, and promote greater consistency, in many areas of the Code, including directors declarations on risk management and internal controls, audit and assurance policies, and narrative reporting. The importance of maintaining the principle-based approach to corporate governance that the Code has championed for over thirty years and to avoid deferring to requirements which are prescriptive, a matter of law and are not suited to a comply or explain model. The risk that established and effective practices for stakeholder engagement, reporting on future prospects and delegating oversight of sustainability matters may be lost based on the way some of the proposals are set out. The Chartered Accountants Ireland response to the FRC addressed all 26 questions and is available here. The FRC proposals are available on their website here. Níall Fitzgerald, Head of Ethics and Governance, Chartered Accountants Ireland   * The Code applies to premium listed companies on the London Stock Exchange and companies with a primary listing on the Irish Stock Exchange (and the Irish Corporate Governance Annex). Other organisations can voluntarily adopt the Code, for example, Chartered Accountants Ireland applies principles of the Code where they are relevant and commensurate to the Institute as a membership body.  

The UK Financial Conduct Authority recently issued a publication on firms’ response to increased sanctions due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the publication the FCA set out key findings from its assessments of sanctions systems and controls and includes examples of good practice and areas for improvement. While the publication is in respect of financial services firms, the findings in relation to good practices and areas that need improvement may be of interest in any efforts to making improvements to the approach to identifying and assessing the sanctions risks that firms are exposed to.

It is with great sadness that Chartered Accountants Ireland notes the death of Gerry Nicholas. Gerry was admitted to membership in 1979. He served on Council from 2010 until 2017 and was Chair of the London Society from its inception in 1999 until 2019.  During those 20 years, he put in enormous effort into developing the London District Society into the thriving group it is today. He was keenly involved in many of the London-based Irish charities and other Irish professional bodies, forging strong links.  As a result, he was widely known, liked and admired for his clear business mind, enthusiasm and friendship.  Gerry had a strong financial career in the banking industry spending more than 15 years with Bank of Ireland and later through his own companies in asset management, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and corporate finance.  Gerry will be remembered as a true collaborator, connector, and communicator, with a huge personality.  He will be sorely missed. We extend our deepest sympathies to Gerry's family and many friends and colleagues throughout London, Ireland and worldwide.