MGI UK & Ireland reports on key events within the accounting networking group this quarter
MGI UK & Ireland attracted 39 attendees to its MGI Worldwide global accounting network gatherings in the region, during the first quarter of 2018. Members gathered together to learn more skills, collaborate and share their experiences gaining value from their MGI membership.
Sales training to help your accounting practice
Held in February, the SWAT training day for Group 2 focused on "Sales Training for Professional Firms", with delegates learning about the skills of a sales person, push vs pull techniques, breaking down a sales meeting from planning to closing and using open and closed questions. The day gave the attendees a structure to work with and make them more confident when selling opportunities arise. The next training day will focus on presentation skills and is scheduled for June 18.
Cloud/Making Tax Digital Forum looks to the future
The meeting took place in London during and after a Sage event. The MD of Sage UK, Alan Laing, joined MGI UK & Ireland accounting group members for lunch and discussed their future plans. The next MTD/Cloud forum is scheduled for 27 April and will follow a detailed agenda looking at relationships with software providers, seminars for clients, pricing cloud support/transition services, internal resources and training, engagement from Partners/Directors, software providers’ on-boarding support, timescale, and selling/pricing of software.
Tax Forum addresses range of concerns
With all MGI UK & Ireland member firms represented, a range of topics were aired, including Brexit, chargeable events, international pension issues, relations with HMRC, dividend waivers, capital allowances, enquiries, PPR, CGT, SEIS, and growing concern with many aspects of VAT. An informative presentation was given by James Quarmby of Stephenson Harwood entitled "Penalties for advisors: tax evasion and avoidance", which highlighted areas of concern arising from the 2017 Finance Act.
Positive experience at the Accountex Exhibition
MGI UK & Ireland participated in the Accountex Exhibition which took place in Manchester in March. The focus was on promoting MGI Worldwide as a global accounting network in the North West. MGI Worldwide's International Marketing Director, Maxine Brock, and MGI UK & Ireland Regional Director, Paul Winder, made many valuable connections and had a ‘very positive experience at the event’. A couple of follow-up meetings with prospective members have been organised.
Preparing for GDPR
The Xact team provided some helpful insight into GDPR compliance during February’s GDPR forum. They gave practical support and supplied all MGI UK & Ireland global accountancy firms with useful GDPR templates to use as they see fit. Following on from this, access to the Xact GDPR training package has been acquired and is now available to all member firms in the region.
Watch a short commentary on the GDPR Forum:
MGI UK & Ireland Upcoming Conference
At the March board meeting, there was a lot of discussion about this year's MGI UK & I conference. Whilst details are still being finalised, the location has been confirmed as Beaumont House near Windsor, a venue used once before in 2010. Having undergone refurbishment, it boasts a great meeting space and accommodation options. The event will start on the evening of 28 November with an informal dinner for those opting to stay on the Wednesday night. The conference itself will start on the morning of Thursday 29 November and run through to early afternoon on Friday 30th. More details will be shared soon.
Additional Forthcoming Events
MGI UK & Ireland has a managing partner meeting in May, which among other things will hopefully finalise the next manager training programme. Arrangements for a marketing forum and a broader manager forum are also anticipated for June/July this year.
For more information, contact MGI UK & Ireland Regional Director Paul Winder at [email protected].
MGI Worldwide is a top 20 ranked global accounting network with some 5,000 independent auditors, accountants and tax experts in over 260 locations around the world.