THE 10TH NATIONAL PRACTITIONERS’ GROWTH FORUM
DATE: 24TH – 26TH AUGUST 2016
HOST BRANCH: SOUTH RIFT BRANCH – KERICHO
VENUE: SUNSHINE HOTEL – KERICHO
THEME: Convergence of Practice Management and Professional Development
1.0 About the National Forum
Welcome to The 10th National Practitioners’ Growth Forum to be hosted this year by the South Rift Branch in Kericho Town. This is a must attend event for all practicing members, those aspiring to get into practice and staff of audit and accountancy firms. The topics and presenters lined up are carefully selected to provide insights and practical tips in establishing, leading and growing a professional accountancy practice.
Themed “convergence of practice management and professional development” the National Practitioners’ Growth Forum now in its tenth year will focus on best practices in managing an accountancy firm as well planning and executing a wholesome professional development program for audit staff and engagement partners. Join us for an inspiring three-day program as we provide insight from the best minds in the industry and offer you the opportunity to connect with the practice community and your peers.
2.0 Learning Outcomes
Delegates and participants in this years’ forum will get an appreciation of the following pertinent topics to those in practice today
- Running an effective practice – learning from an SMP
The celebrations once you receive the Practicing License – need not be short-lived ad neither should it set to you to a journey into the wilderness. Come and hear from colleagues on how to effectively plan, run and grow your practice. This presentation will make use of case studies to enlighten delegates on the dos and don’ts in running a professional accountancy firm.
- The Social Media Matrix
Social media grows in power, influence and significance each year. It is your desire to utilize and manage social media to shape opinions, grow the business, recruit talent, manage issues and reinforce your brand. Join us as we learn from the experts in unravelling the potential of social media while keeping tabs on the possible negative aspects of the online community. This session focuses on the convergence of business and social media is an opportunity not to be missed!
- Current Tax developments, policies and implications of the 2016/17 Budget
In a complex and ever-changing tax landscape, it is critical to understand what areas are on the financial bill for the upcoming year. This session will provide detailed insights into the key and risk areas for 2016-17 budget and the opportunity to interact and ask pertinent questions regarding the Finance bill 2016/17.
- Outsourcing – how can my practice benefit from this!
A hotly debated topic, outsourcing is a tactic that many companies are undertaking for a variety of reasons depending on their vision for the future of their practice. Outsourcing can free up resources that could be better utilized for other purposes, it may enable practitioners to continue focusing on their core business, it may be part of the strategy to move into more business advisory work or it could be as basic as an approach to control operating costs. If you have outsourcing on your radar for your practice, then you will want to register for this forum.
- Branding and marketing of services:
It’s hard to overestimate the value of a strong brand for a professional services firm. It can help you win new clients, command premium fees, and attract and retain the very best talent. But how do you do it? Is it even legal for accounting firms to advertise? What are the best brand building strategies for your firm? This presentation will delve into practical steps in growing a practice including consideration for mergers and alliances
- Pricing for professional services: How Do You Set Your Value?
Professional services have been difficult to price, especially in a developing economy and in the context of a startup SMP. With increasing pressure on professional services rates, it may be time for a fresh look at the subject so as to avoid undercutting which affects everyone in the profession. In this forum, we will demonstrate that value driven pricing is viable, in fact preferred pricing model for driving profitability in professional services. We will look at the key elements of profitable pricing strategy in a professional service environment. We will revisit ICPAK’s efforts in stabling the minimum fees guideline and if agreeable adopt a resolution to affirm the support of practitioners towards a mandatory fee guide in Kenya.
- Disciplinary Updates and Dealing with illegal practitioners – Open Forum
Invariably most disciplinary matters revolve around members in practice with engagement partners bearing the brunt. This session will present in a generic sense the key areas from which a number of disciplinary cases have arisen. Additionally, members will receive and discuss the disciplinary process. Another matter that has and continues to present challenges to practitioners is that of quacks, (illegal practitioners), in this forum past efforts will be reviewed and if agreeable a road map be developed on dealing with this challenge for the coming one year. One possible solution to deal with quacks in introducing an “audit certificate” in a similar fashion to that issued by Architects. This will be a secure paper, serialized and produced centrally by ICPAK and availed to every practicing member at the commencement of each year. This is among the proposals to be considered for adoption and subsequent progression to Council.
3.0 Target Audience:
The 10th Annual Practitioners’ Growth Forum is useful for practicing accountants, engagement partners, managing partners and owners of practicing firms, members of audit committees (both internal audit and board audit committees), auditors from Kenya National Audit Office, Ministry of Cooperatives and Education Auditors as well heads of audit and risk committees. Trainers in audit and business consultants especially those dealing with SMEs are encouraged to attend. Lenders ranging from commercial banks, cooperatives to micro-finance institutions will find interacting with the people who pass opinion on the financial statements on which they make the lending decision very useful. Practicing Accountants, Auditors, accountants aspiring to go into practice, Accounting Consultants
4.0 Forum Charges:
The charges for the upcoming 10th Annual Practitioners’ Growth Forum are as provided below:
| Category | Early Bird Registration
Booked & Paid for before 17th August 2016 KShs |
Normal Registration
Booking & Payments or LPOs / LSOs received after 19th August 2016 |
| Associate Members | KShs 27,200 | KShs 39,000 |
| Members & Staff of Audit firms | KShs 34,000 | KShs 39,000 |
| Non Members | KShs 39,000 | KShs 43,000 |
| International Delegates | 390 USD | 450 USD |
*Charges inclusive complimentary accommodation and courtesy bus to and from Kericho for delegates who register with the forum coordinator Ms. Brenda Imali on Brenda.imali@icpak.com on or before 19th August 2016
5.0Networking Cocktail & Team Building
Conference participants will get opportunities to network and share experiences both in the formal sessions as well as interact with their peers during the cocktail scheduled for 26th August 2016.
6.0 National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Reimbursement
The Institute is registered as a trainer with National Industrial Training Authority. The Institute’s registration number is DIT/TRN/47. Participants who are registered levy contributors should apply to NITA for reimbursement of their fees. Please note that this is applicable for Kenyan citizens only and subject to NITA regulations. Remember that to qualify you should apply to NITA for approval prior to the date of the conference. Further details can be obtained from their website (www.nita.go.ke).
For more information or enquiries please email memberservices@icpak.com or visit www.icpak.com
7.0 Online Booking
Kindly note that booking for The 10th National Practitioners’ Growth Forum is available only online at www.icpak.com/events and will close on 19th August 2016 at 1700 hrs.
