Editor's note

It was wonderful to meet over 250 delegates at the International Accountancy Forum and Awards 2022 in June. The overarching theme at this year’s conference was ‘The Global Outlook for the Post-Pandemic firm’, with speakers discussing the need to rethink strategy and transformation, whilst keeping in mind challenges including talent pipeline shortages, issues with global supply chains and sustainability imperatives that remain at the top of the agenda.

As the world begins to settle from the initial economic impact of the Ukraine-Russia Crisis, organisations are also grappling to achieve cost efficiencies, streamline new client engagement, recruitment methods and work flow management and understand new tax regulations.

In this issue: There is a feature summarising the key themes and insights from IAFA 2022 by IAB & The Accountant’s summer intern Katherine Dumbell. Do also read my interview with Francesca Lagerberg, newly appointed BakerTilly CEO, who speaks about her career journey as well as her vision and priorities for the organisation over the next three years; there is a Q&A with Sue Almond, IAFA 2022 Personality of the Year award winner, that tells of her interest in the accountancy profession and her involvement with auditing standards boards; a feature on Smart Audit is offered by Gisela Coimbra from Russell Bedford Brazil; and The Cyber Priority, a research report by DNV, explores the state of cyber security in the energy sector. Make sure to also look over the IAFA 2022 picture gallery.

In addition, there are ranking reports and tables covering Australia and India and further ranking tables for Japan, New Zealand and Singapore.