IAFA 2026 showcase

AAB

AAB demonstrated exceptional growth and impressed the judges with its strong internal promotion pipeline. The firm has made a number of acquisitions, supported PE investment which has enabled it to make a number of strategic acquisitions, taking the business from strength to strength.

Fieldguide

Fieldguide demonstrated a strong adoption rate, being used by 50% of the top 100 US firms. This has driven by high levels of automation and AI capabilities which have delivered new solutions for clients. The judges were impressed by the efficiency gains that are possible with Fieldguide’s platform.

Fieldguide

Fieldguide has been recognised by industry leaders for its AI innovation, which has delivered strong ROI across the industry. It’s capability across complex and high-stakes engagements — including SOC 2 compliance and complex audit assignments — demonstrates both the depth and versatility of its offering. With a strong adoption rate and a growing body of verified client outcomes, Fieldguide is setting the benchmark for AI-driven solutions in the profession.

PrimeGlobal

PrimeGlobal holds a strong market position as a top-ten IAB ranked association and has demonstrated an impressive growth rate. It has a forward-thinking approach to member engagement and operational delivery and is a genuine pioneer in the industry, demonstrated through it’s clear long-term vision.

PrimeGlobal

PrimeGlobal’s communications campaign was extremely well thought through and aligns well with the companies new strategy. The judges found this to be a really impressive campaign that has a clear impact and return.

Suralink

Suralink has proven customer experience with some very impressive customer testimonials and has gained some incredibly significant clients. The judges were impressed by the case studies demonstrating the importance of customer experience to this company.

Deloitte

Deloitte has continued evolution of its global audit platform, delivering advanced digital capabilities that enhance engagement quality, and streamline day-to-day workflows. Its OmniaEdge initiative demonstrates how Gen AI and Agentic AI technology can be embedded at scale, to support teams and improve consistency across audit and assurance engagements. The judges were particularly impressed by the practical application of innovation and the clear evidence of transformation across the audit process.

Azets

Azets places sustainability at the heart of its business strategy and demonstrating a clear commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals which was praised by judges. Azets has shown impressive progress through global collaboration, robust assessment process submitting to EcoVadis for independent auditing and rating, helping them to track their carbon footprint, labour practices, and governance coupled with a a well-defined road map for delivering measurable impact.

Baker Tilly International

Baker Tilly has achieved impressive results across multiple regions, while strengthening support for member firms, in both core professional disciplines and emerging areas of new business needs. This company had an exceptional year of record growth and revenues with organic growth up 21.3% especially across the Americas, and its ability to combine commercial success with meaningful initiatives focussed on its investment in Tech and Talent, with a significant number of audit reviews and training for 5,500 people.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

CIMA’s forward-thinking transformation of the CGMA professional qualification applying a case study approach versus knowledge acquisition, to meet evolving demands of the modern profession. The re-design programme places greater emphasis on applied learning, professional judgement and the development of broader business, technology and sustainability capabilities.

Judges also commended CGMA's leadership in preparing finance professionals, for an increasingly complex and AI enabled future.

AccountsIQ

AccountsIQ delivered a powerful, scalable platform that helps finance teams work more efficiently, while supporting growth across international markets. Its commitment to product innovation, intelligent automation and customer success, has resulted in measurable benefits for users, and consistently high satisfaction levels. Judges were highly impressed by the company's strong growth trajectory, customer focus and ability to solve real - world finance challenges at scale.

Emily Sinclair from ZEDRA

Emily Sinclair has demonstrated rapid progression, ownership of complex international engagements and the initiative to implement improvements, that strengthened operational resilience and efficiency. In selecting Sinclair, judges praised the combination of technical excellence, leadership potential and tangible impact delivered within a complex organisational environment.

Liza Robbins, CEO Kreston Global

Liza Robbins is an outstanding international business leader, whose career has been defined by strategic vision, transformational leadership, and a steadfast commitment to excellence.

Liza was appointed chief executive of Kreston Global in 2018. Since then, she has guided one of the world's leading accounting and advisory networks through significant growth and change, including digital transformation, post-pandemic adaptation, the relocation of its global headquarters to the City of London, and its re-brand to Kreston Global. Today, Liza continues to drive international expansion and collaboration and innovation, across a network, operating in more than 100 countries.

A Chartered Director and passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Liza is widely respected for championing modern leadership, empowering others to succeed, and shaping the future of the global accounting profession.

Lucy Cohen, AAT President and CEO at Mazuma

Lucy Cohen is at the forefront of the accountancy sector with a commitment to champion small businesses and support inclusivity. After starting her career through an AAT apprenticeship, she founded Mazuma at 23 years of age, launching the UK’s first subscription-based accountancy model. Mazuma has since grown into a multi-million-pound company.

With more than twenty years in the industry, Lucy is recognised as a leading voice in modernising accounting. Now coming full circle as AAT President, Lucy represents over 50,000 AAT members and leads on the issues that matter to them. This includes advocating for small businesses, many of which are supported or ran by accountants. She recently hosted sessions alongside the Small Business Commissioner to support government action on late payments and champion SME success. Lucy was also nominated for the St. David's Award, Wales', the highest national civic honour recognising and celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Welsh citizens and organisations both within Wales and abroad.

Lucy is passionate about inclusivity and is a long-time advocate for mental health awareness and equality in accountancy.  She received the AAT Outstanding Contribution Award for her leadership and work, to destigmatise mental health in 2021 and continues to break down barriers through her advocacy.

Pat Kramer leads BDO’s strategic direction with a focus on international business, quality, and sustainable growth.

Pat began his career with BDO Canada in 1990, and was appointed Managing Partner of the Calgary, Alberta office in 2006. He became CEO of BDO Canada in 2015, at which he led significant growth across service lines, and geographies, while embedding a strong culture, focused on client centricity.

Appointed Global CEO in 2022, following seven years on the Global Board, Pat has focused on positioning BDO for the future. He has driven global growth through a clear strategic vision, championing advancements in AI, strengthening quality across the network, and reaffirming BDO’s commitment to independence. His leadership is defined by a belief in empowering people, to realise their full potential, and to continually push the boundaries of what is possible, in the professional services.

As a recognised industry leader, Pat speaks as a thought leader at events, contributing to the evolution of the profession. He is also deeply committed to community service and philanthropy, supporting several charitable initiatives.

Pat is widely respected for his approachable leadership style, authenticity, and dedication to making a meaningful difference both within BDO and the wider community.

Lee White, CEO, IFAC, the International Federation of Accountants

Over more than four decades, Lee White has made exceptional contributions across every dimension of the profession—as an auditor, regulator, standard-setting leader, professional body chief executive, and global advocate.

From his early years in public practice with Coopers & Lybrand, through his service at Auditor-General of New South Wales and Chief Accountant of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Lee has consistently championed accountability, transparency, and high-quality financial reporting.

He played a pivotal role in Australia's adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards and was instrumental in the establishment of the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators.

As Chief Executive Officer of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, he successfully led the landmark merger of the Australian and New Zealand institutes, creating a stronger and more influential professional body, for members across the region.

At the IFRS Foundation, as Managing Director, Lee helped guide the international dialogue, which led to the creation of the ISSB (that is the International Sustainability Standards Board), laying the foundation for a globally consistent approach, to sustainability-related disclosures.

Today, as CEO of IFAC, Lee continues to champion the profession globally leading IFAC's transformation into a modern, member-centric and multi-location organisation, promoting trust and integrity throughout the profession.