Accounting conferences

Accounting conferences

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With the Summer holidays out of the way things are picking up with a variety of accountancy events and conferences in the months ahead. 

What gets you out of the office and to a conference or seminar? What are the must-attend accounting conferences in your calendar?

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Sarah Douglas - HouseTree Business Ltd
By sarah douglas
09th Sep 2016 19:02

The next conference I am going to is the 2 day ICB Bookkeepers Summit at Queen Elizabeth centre Westminster on the 2nd and 3rd of Oct 2016. You never know I might win the smart car this year.

I have always liked this event as it is where the big and small software companies, pension providers, financial services give bookkeepers loads of time .

Companies house and HMRC have always been great at this event. One of my favourite summits was when the Google team came from Ireland. This event has always been ahead of its time and I have picked up many good deals on software at this event as well as many good friends across the UK and Northern Ireland.

In terms of enjoyment their is always a very successful dinner and quite a few go out even after the dinner. Most stay at the same hotels and lot of friendships have been made over the years. Quite a few of us from Scotland or travelling down together. I have to say I thought Accountex would be be better then the ICB summit but it was not. The event is open to accountants and bookeepers. I saw Paul Scholes last year at the event but I did not get a chance to speak to him.

Recently a few of us in Glasgow went to Venturefest Scotland 2016 run by Innovate UK this was a extremely good event and really well run for networking. It really opened my mind and was great for accountants as well. It was for all but every accountant would have benefited from attending I was really inspired when I left and learnt a lot. Venturefest Scotland is on my diary for next year. Accountex ??

I think there are so many good small events and roadshows that you can go to now, that can provide you with more. I am going to the Exact roadshow on the 19th Sept and Making Tax Digital face to face on Monday in Edinburgh.

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By Hugh Simpson
10th Sep 2016 10:06

Was Ryan Giggs there?

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Replying to Hugh Simpson:
Sarah Douglas - HouseTree Business Ltd
By sarah douglas
10th Sep 2016 13:12

Ryan Giggs, not sure who he is, mind you the Sage Summit in America had The Killers and Brandon Flowers. That definitely would encourage me to go to any conference.

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Logo
By marks
11th Sep 2016 00:09

I usually go to a few events every year.

This week was down in London at the 2020 cloud conference.

Next month have the AVN conference in Nottingham and the IRISworld Conference in Glasgow.

Then have the 2020 conference in Birmingham in November.

Usually go down to accountex at Excel in London each year.

I am based in Central Scotland.

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By Moonbeam
11th Sep 2016 08:28

I find accountancy conferences terribly boring. If you decide you want to speak to a supplier, there's either a long queue or they only have badly trained juniors. And of course you will never find out that it doesn't work very well from that sort of meeting. It seems to be largely sales and marketing.
I can learn more from Awebbers' comments about software than from any conference.
The idea that some of the lectures at these conferences is worth several CPD points seems ludicrous to me. I need a much higher standard of content.
I find my CPD provider has so many good options that they are the only ones that will capture my time.

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Replying to Moonbeam:
FT
By FirstTab
11th Sep 2016 10:50

I agree with Moonbeam.

Conferences are simply a showcase for suppliers. You cannot get meaningful information from them.

We are living in a modern age, where thankfully, time can be saved and money wasting can be avoided.

Accountex is a great example of NOT to attend conferences. Remember, Accountex is for suppliers, that is how it is funded. Sift showcases its AW brand incredibly well there. Sift is one example of many.

Another great example of a complete waste of time is the Apple sorry I mean Xero Con (they so want to be apple). The shocking part is many accountants are willing to pay to give up their day to hear a sales pitch from Xero! Wake up people! Even if is seen as the party of the year (how sad), NO THANKS.

If I want to buy software, I would do some online research, raise it on AW (users would outline their experience) then shortlist a few suppliers and book for an online demo at a time suited to me.

Once I decided on the software, I then talk prices via email and telephone.

I have not attended a single useful conference in recent years.

Unless there is something I am not able to do online, I will NOT give up my scarce and most valuable resource attending conferences to be sold to.

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Freddie
By Slim Freddie
12th Sep 2016 10:16

Accountex is the best for me. Obviously it’s free but everyone is there. It’s a few days spent in London too which I like. I get to catch up with friends. I’ve been to the ICB Summit too. It’s very well run, speakers are good and lunch is fab.

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Glenn Martin
By Glenn Martin
12th Sep 2016 11:24

I go to Accountex I enjoy the 2 days out of the office and you can get a lot of info from everyone as all main players are. It keeps me pretty much up to date with developments within industry. I see the dates are now released for year. I might see if I can get a decent hotel this year by booking early.

In addition I went to Digita Synergy event which was also useful although it is a paid for event.

Other than that I attend odd local events to me (there are not many up North though) I might try and get to Exact road show in Manchester later this month.

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