From Brexit to brand building

This article was first published in the 2017 March issue of The Nottingham Post’s Business Monthly.

Local accountant goes Stateside to look at business trends

John Wallis, partner at Nottingham-based accountancy firm Page Kirk LLP, headed out to the USA at the end of November. Here, he talks about what he discovered in a lively meeting hosted by CPAmerica International in Atlanta.

There may be quite a difference between the East Midlands and Atlanta, Georgia, but I packed my bags knowing the people attending the International Group Meeting of CPAmerica would have a lot in common and much to talk about.

The accounting association holds the event annually and it brings together professionals to discuss a wide range of issues, from international business development and strategy through to networking, member-sharing ideas and continuing professional education.

The only spanner in the works this year was a warning in the middle of the conference of the impending arrival of a tornado! This necessitated all of us heading down four storeys to an underground car park and keeping our fingers firmly crossed.

Once the danger had past, we were able to hear from a wide variety of external speakers on a range of different topics. On this occasion, we discussed international tax planning, regulation and the tax policy outlook, but there was also a chance to roam further afield with presentations on transfer pricing, the intricacies of global VAT and the impact of Brexit. Some of the content is of more general interest too: brand building across borders, for instance, and business development.

Here in the UK, my firm Page Kirk is a member of an organisation called HCWA. It’s a network which helps us to provide a better service to clients through practice management support, continuing education, online services and business improvement.

CPAmerica is an equivalent organisation in the US and, in fact, one of the largest associations of independent accounting firms over there. As in the UK, they help their members to share industry-specific knowledge, keep up to date through training and take on board best practice in the sector.

These connections have a tangible benefit for clients right here in the East Midlands. We’re able, for instance, to tap into the expertise of Crowe Horwath International (of which CPAmerica and HCWA are both members), which has more than 670 offices around the world. Great news if you’re looking to set up or trade overseas.

Our team members also take advantage of an international secondment programme, so they have the opportunity to learn about different working practices – particularly in the US. This is a big advantage when it comes to the firm recruiting some of the best and brightest students.

I was talking to one of our recently qualified chartered accountants, Thomas Ignatowicz, who went on secondment from Page Kirk, and he told me that it was extremely interesting to see the paperless structure that exists elsewhere, as it’s a principle we’re implementing here at home too.

All in all, I take pride in the fact we’re a local firm with a global reach. It provides better opportunities for our staff and helps us deliver a superior service to our clients.

If you’re interested in making use of Page Kirk’s expertise by setting up outside the UK and taking advantage of the firm’s contacts – especially in the USA – you can contact John directly on 0115 955 5500 or email him at enquiries@pagekirk.co.uk