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John Capper to lead accountancy sector forward with a focus on technology as he takes the reins as local ICAEW President

Two well-known names on the North Staffordshire accountancy scene have been appointed to lead a local chartered accountancy body through what is likely to be a crucial period for the profession.

John Capper has been named as the new President for ICAEW across Staffordshire, Shropshire and Wolverhampton. John, of Barlaston, runs his own financial consultancy, John Capper and Co. supporting companies with crucial advice on all aspects of finance and growth.

He’s joined on the top table by Chris Beeston, a Director at Geens Chartered Accountants, Stoke, and an expert in tax advice, who will serve as Deputy President.

John’s focus for the year will be accountancy in a digital age and, following lockdown and the huge increase in home working due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this has become ever more crucial.

He said: “ICAEW plays an important role in supporting local members to address the unprecedented challenges facing the profession and how they advise the businesses they serve. Even before Covid-19 became a factor, there was a lot to take in due to the digitalisation and modernisation of tax systems and, of course the fall-out from Brexit.

“I want to focus primarily on the rapid advance of cloud accounting, automation and artificial intelligence into traditional accounting and taxation compliance areas which require firms to have new skills and to be able to offer real time data insights and a much wider range of advisory solutions. It is an area I have pinpointed in recent times to give my clients a competitive edge and I recognise there is a need for more focus and training in this area for the accountancy sector. It is vital to look at what is available and to use the best of it for the benefit of our clients and the wider economy.”

“Now we have all the additional pressure that lockdown has heaped on firms and good financial advice is becoming ever more vital.

“The Chancellor has introduced a lot of new measures from furlough to Bounce Bank Loans to help companies to cope, but there’s going to be a crunch moment when furlough ends and companies emerge into a new environment. Our members have a major role to play in the effort to ensure our economy doesn’t fall over as there are many vulnerable business sectors out there, such as retail, travel and hospitality.

“Therefore, ICAEW has a vital part to play supporting our professional members through networking and seminars.” ’It is an honour to serve as President for ICAEW Staffs, Shropshire and Wolverhampton and during my year in office, I aim to help accountancy practices and businesses to recruit, develop and retain highly skilled team members to deliver a wide range of future-proofed solutions.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nigel Howle .