Venue: IBR-IRE & ITAA, Boulevard Emile Jacqmain 135/2
This year we celebrate EFAA’s 30th anniversary. During the conference, besides discussing with former EFAA Presidents the challenges and achievements of our organisation over 30 years, we will be tackling topics of great importance for SMPs, such as sustainability, AI in accounting and the role of the tax accountant.
PREPARING SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED PRACTICES FOR THE COMING YEARS
| 08:45 – 09:15 | REGISTRATION |
| 09:15 – 09:30 | OPENING REMARKS Patrick Van Impe, President, IBR-IRE Bart Van Coile, President, ITAA Salvador Marín, President, EFAA for SMEs |
| 09:30 – 10:15 | SESSION ONE – 30 years of EFAA for SMEs: Looking Back, Looking Forward A panel of former EFAA Presidents will discuss the evolution of the accountancy profession, specifically focusing on small- and medium-sized practices (SMPs), the pivotal role of Professional Accountancy Organizations, and EFAA’s contributions to SMEs over the past three decades. Moreover, the discussion will explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for SMPs in the future. Klas-Erik Hjorth, Former EFAA President, 2000-2006 Federico Diomeda, Former EFAA for SMEs President, 2006-2009 Bodo Richardt, Former EFAA for SMEs President, 2014-2019 Salvador Marín, EFAA for SMEs President, 2019-present Moderator: Robin Jarvis, EFAA for SMEs Special Advisor |
| 10:15 – 10:45 | The future and challenges of our profession – Lee White, IFAC CEO |
| 10:45– 11:00 | Coffee break |
| 11:00 – 12:15 | SESSION TWO – Artificial Intelligence Implications for SMPs This session will address the implications for SMPs of the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) including compliance with new regulation, ethical rules, and how best to leverage the technology in operations and service delivery. Opening remarks: Alistair Brisbourne, Head of Technology Research, Policy & Insights, ACCA EC developments and regulatory state of the art: Elinor Wahal, Legal and Policy Officer, Unit A2, Artificial Intelligence Policy Development and Coordination, DG CNECT Panel discussion: Alistair Brisbourne, Head of Technology Research, Policy & Insights, ACCA Elinor Wahal, Legal and Policy Officer, Unit A2, Artificial Intelligence Policy Development and Coordination, DG CNECT Jose María Hinojal, Member of the technical committees of Auditor Economists, REA-CGE, Economistas (Spain) Louis van Garderen, CEO and Founder JOINSON&SPICE (The Netherlands) Moderator:Martin de Bie, EFAA for SMEs Special Advisor and 216 advisor |
| 12:15 – 13:30 | Lunch break |
| 13:30 – 14:45 | SESSION THREE – Sustainability: SMPs Providing Services to SMEs This session looks at the rapid emergence of the sustainability agenda and the challenges and opportunities this presents SMPs in particular, that of offering sustainability services including advisory, accounting and assurance and embracing sustainability in their own operations. Opening remarks: Sven Gentner, Head of Unit FISMA C1, Corporate reporting, audit and credit rating agencies, European Commission Panel discussion: Sven Gentner, Head of Unit FISMA C1, Corporate reporting, audit and credit rating agencies, European Commission Patrick van Impe, President, IBR-IRE Hubert Tondeur, Founding Partner of Be Business Focus; in charge of Sustainability at CNOEC, France Annina Tanhuanpää, Board Member, EFRAG SRB – Banking Chapter Robert Mul, Deputy CEO, Royal NBA, The Netherlands Moderator: Esther Ortiz, EFAA for SMEs Special Advisor |
| 14:45 – 15:00 | Coffee break |
| 15:00– 15:45 | SESSION FOUR – The Future of the Tax Accountant This session will examine how the role of the tax accountant has changed and how it will likely change in the future. Opening remarks: Reinhard Biebel, Head of Unit TAXUD D2 Direct Tax Policy & Cooperation, European Commission Panel discussion: Reinhard Biebel, Head of Unit TAXUD D2 Direct Tax Policy & Cooperation, European Commission Marcus Tuschen, Partner at Tuschen und Partner, Germany Bart Van Coile, President, ITAA Moderator: Aleksander Štefanac, President, CCIS-CAS |
| 15:45 – 16:15 | SESSION FIVE – The Attractiveness of the Profession: sharing experiences The attractiveness of the profession is a strategic topic for most Professional Accountancy Organisations. During this session, we will share insights and experiences. Salvador Marín, President, EFAA for SMEs Nelson Ferreira, President, FCM Mark Vaessen, President, Accountancy Europe Moderator: Paul Thompson, Technical Director, EFAA for SMEs |
| 16:15- 16:20 | CLOSING REMARKS Salvador Marín, President, EFAA for SMEs |
