No Accounting for Taste ep59: Coronavirus panic spreads to accountancy

The coronavirus has become a worldwide issue and the ramifications have spread to the accountancy profession this week.

First, QuickBooks took the difficult decision to cancel its flagship UK event, QB Connect, due to an “abundance of caution”. Attendees were expecting to see big-ticket keynote speakers such as Anthony Joshua, Karen Brady and our guest on today’s podcast, three-time Accounting Excellence award winner Alastair Barlow.

On this week’s pod, host Richard Hattersley, John Stokdyk and Barlow talk about the show that never was, QuickBooks Connect and consider whether the coronavirus will give rise to a new wave of remote working accountants.

Next up, Alastair Barlow talks us through the current challenge facing M&S’s new CFO – can he return the iconic British brand back to FTSE100 prominence? The incoming CFO has a big transformation project on his hands – but as the team discusses, it’s all part of the all-encompassing role of a CFO.

And with the Budget next week, the team rounds off this week’s pod by running down the latest rumours and predictions. Is entrepreneur’s relief for the chopping block? Will we see any last-minute IR35 tinkering? We discuss all that and more on this week’s episode.

Show notes and links

• QuickBooks Connect cancelled due to coronavirus fears
• Any Answers: Coronavirus – Boris suggests working from home
• Can Marks & Spencer’s new CFO make his mark, and spark a return to the FTSE100?
• HMV’s top dog could be in the kennels once again
• Heinz cans CFO: How not to Kraft a finance strategy
• IR35 gets soft landing in the private sector
• Any Answers discussion: Budget rumour mill
• Follow Alastair Barlow on Twitter

Click play above to listen, or download ‘No Accounting for Taste’ by searching AccountingWEB wherever you get your podcasts.