“New York is the biggest collection of villages in the world,” said the BBC’s Alistair Cooke; next week ICAS will add its own ‘village’ to the mix.
The ICAS New York Community will be established and will boost
our profile in a global financial centre. Crucially, it will allow CAs to share
knowledge and networks and re-enforce their sense of shared professional
identity.
The reason we’re in New York is a panel event ICAS is
hosting with the American Institute of CPAs.
The event will tap into the wisdom of three key former
Accounting Standards Board Chairs - Sir David Tweedie (IASB), Bob Herz (US
FASB) and Paul Cherry (Canadian Accounting Standards Board).
An invited audience from the financial reporting community
will discuss the key issues of the day, including the impact of the financial
crisis and politics on standard setting, US adoption of IFRS, how to improve
broader business reporting, financial statement disclosure overload, and
private company reporting.
When I think about the professional community ICAS is
building, another New York saying comes to mind: that it’s the city that never
sleeps.
That’s a good way of looking at the ICAS Professional Community:
CAs all around the world, knit together by a shared professional identity and
able to communicate face-to-face and 24/7 via online communities and social
media. A community that never sleeps.
Closer to home, ahead of the ICAS AGM in Glasgow tomorrow I
want to say a quick word of thanks to out-going President Iain McLaren for his
tireless efforts during his term.
ICAS has undergone a massive transformation in the last 12
months, and Iain’s advice, help and hard work has been invaluable in making
this change a success.
I also want to say how delighted I am to welcome David into
the role as President.
David is a giant of the profession who has never lost touch
with his Institute or his professional identity.
He shares our passion for engaging with members to boost the
positive impact they can have, acting in the public interest and for the
benefit of society. I look forward to working with him in the exciting days to
come.
Anton