Thomas Fowler’s Post

❗CREATE YOUR FUTURE ❗ It’s been a pleasure to work with the Baker Tilly Staples Rodway team over the last few months. The Accountants, Client Managers and Directors at the Baker Tilly Christchurch office have been through my Client Revenue on Demand programme… A deep-dive into the knowledge, mindsets and habits for Accountants to create advisory revenue ‘on demand’ PLUS create the additional capacity to actually deliver the work. They get the results that nobody else can get… Because we discover things that nobody else can discover. This is the most comprehensive and unique transformation programme for Accountants on the planet. We look at things from a different perspective, and use a unique combination of psychology, neuroscience, high-performance mindset techniques, and a little trick or two that I learned in Hollywood… …to take high performing Accountants to the next level. Here’s the secret… Everybody thinks the objective is to ‘do some training’ to ‘learn’ how to sell and deliver advisory work, build confidence and somehow magically create some extra capacity. And this is why everybody else struggles. The true objective is to enter a mindset and where greater confidence, stronger boundaries and deeper, more powerful client relationships are INEVITABLE… Then the increased revenue and extra capacity happen as a rather enjoyable (and very fast) outcome. This isn’t about changing the way Accountants deliver… It’s about transforming the way they THINK. I’ve been blown away by the passion, intelligence, teamwork and commitment of the Baker Tilly team. They truly are some of the most talented accountants in the land. Dorian Crighton Wendy Skinner and rest of the team should be very proud. Looking forward to taking things to the next level 🚀 . #accountants #advisory #accounting #caanz #clients #accounting #changemanagement #employeengagement

Announcement time! 🎉 After thoughtful consideration spanning several years, I've officially embarked on a new chapter by registering with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). This marks the initial step in my pursuit of hopefully one day becoming a Chartered Global Management Accountant. While I'm starting at the very beginning and the road ahead is lengthy, spanning over four years, every significant journey begins with a single step and now is the perfect time to commence. Opting for the management accountant route aligns with my passion and what I find most enjoyable. It's a path I believe will contribute immensely to Giraffe's growth. Day to day, management accountants play a pivotal role in interpreting financial data, crafting reports, and leveraging business insights to guide strategic decisions. They are forward-focused, perpetually seeking ways to enhance a company's trajectory. Finance is not just a part of my job; it's a passion. Having largely been self-taught with external support, this journey is about bridging any knowledge gaps and evolving into an even more invaluable member of Giraffe's leadership. I'm thrilled about the prospect of applying newfound knowledge to elevate Giraffe to greater heights. 🚀💡 #CareerJourney #FinancePassion #GiraffeLeadership

My first job at EY was a little dull. Well, actually a total yawn fest🥱🥱. I was recruited to be a Finance Trainer. I’m still not entirely sure how I got the role. I knew nothing about finance, especially when compared to the accountants I was training. I think it was the passion and gusto I put into my interview. I really wanted this role, to get a year on my CV with Ernst & Young and then get a ‘proper’ L&D job. I just had to stick it out and do the boring training. Mandatory training for accountants and their assistants to do their timesheets, to claim their expenses, to bill clients. Duller than two day old dishwater. Yet, it turned out to be one of the best roles ever. I learned some absolutely vital lessons: ⏱️what makes people tick… and what makes businesses tick⏱️. I made sure it wasn’t just a boring tell of what they needed to do. I invented workarounds, time-hacks all designed to make their lives easier. I played to their fears too, 😱 no one wanted to be the finance professional who didn’t know how to earn money! Needs must and all that. People took notice, and did stuff differently as a result. One of my proudest moments was when I had a wait list for my training! This learning is now in the DNA of me and my business. As The Leadership Coach & People Person I know that: 🧠Everything needs to be grounded in sound commercial thinking, it’s what’s on leaders minds constantly so you need to show it’s also on yours. 🧠Everyone, even accountants, need a ‘what’s in it for me’. If you don’t know why you are doing it you probably won’t do it or definitely won’t do it well. 🙏🏻Always grateful to the Finance Director at the time who took a chance on the very enthusiastic but very under qualified 22 year old me. Have you ever been given a chance to do something you weren’t “technically” qualified for? [picture of me aged 22, haven’t changed a bit… well in my head at least]

CPA. It's more than just a title; it represents a commitment to excellence, integrity, and continuous learning in the dynamic world of finance and accounting. Here are a few reasons why being a CPA is invaluable: - Expertise and Credibility: The CPA credential is recognized globally, showcasing a high level of expertise and professionalism. - Career Advancement: CPAs are in high demand, opening doors to leadership roles and diverse opportunities in various industries. - Continuous Learning: The profession encourages ongoing education and staying updated with the latest industry standards and regulations. - Ethical Responsibility: CPAs adhere to a strict code of ethics, ensuring trust and reliability in financial reporting and business practices.

Acknowledgement and Appreciation Day! Today, let's take a moment to recognize and express gratitude to those who make a difference in our lives, whether through their support, kindness, or hard work. Let's celebrate their contributions and spread positivity all around! 🙏❤️ 🎉🌟 Congratulations Vikas Jain (CA, CPA, CMA, B. Com Hons) Films Europa 🌟🎉 The Directors' Institute - World Council of Directors extends our heartfelt congratulations to you on the successful completion of the course. You are now an International Corporate Director, your dedication and commitment to professional growth are truly commendable! Name: Vikas Jain Current Designation: Chief Financial Officer Current Organization: Flex Films Europa  DI Databank  Number:ICDP-2024-DI040407 Certification Clearance Date:04-07-2024 Moreover, your CPD-accredited certification, recognized in over 50 countries, opens up a world of opportunities for you. This achievement marks a significant milestone in your career, paving the way for further growth, connections, and global prospects. Your hard work and perseverance have undoubtedly paid off. The Directors' Institute - World Council of Directors is proud to announce your accomplishment and looks forward to witnessing your continued success in the corporate world. Here's to seizing new opportunities and reaching greater heights! 🌍✨ #Directorinstitute #independentdirectors #boardofdirectors #globalboardmember #work #career #growth #connections #opportunities #boardofdirectors #SEBI, #IndependentDirectors #IndependentDirectorsRoles #GovernanceBestPractices #IndependentDirectorsNomination #BoardOversight  #IndependentDirectorsTraining #IndependentDirectorsAppointment  #IndependentDirectorsGuidelines  #ESG #IndependentDirectorsQualifications  #ESGInvesting #SustainableInvesting #Sustainability #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #SEBI #NonExecutiveDirector #BoardofDirectors #IndependentDirectorResponsibility

This was shared with me about the route to be a chartered director in UK, by someone who obtained it many years ago. Question is how robust is the process here as we introduce accredited and senior accredited director (a bit hubristic to call oneself a senior accredited director in my view). Will SID also have a standards board and disciplinary board to properly vet directors and boot out those who bring the profession into disrepute? “At IOD, they make things simple. Be a member , pass exams through study route. That's it, no other titles. After I passed my exams, the "Royal Charter" was granted to IOD to be accorded to worthy applicants. To apply, one has to submit a 1-pager "Application to be Invited". If, on the face of it, one appears qualified (based largely on qualification and experiences), then one is given an Application to Apply for Chartered Directorship. At my time it was a 10 pager dossier that answered searching questions the answers of which have all to be signed by a qualified verifier. My application has to be signed by a highly renowned Singaporean professional. I had a managing partner of a Big 4 accounting firm and a managing partner of a major law firm sign mine. Then I had to fly to London, at my expense, to be interviewed, by a panel of 2-3 Fellows/Chartered Directors on details of my Application for about 1.5 hours. So, it was quite rigorous and then each year, as a member, I have to observe a separate set of rules of the Standards board and be subjected to Disciplinary actions.”

"I've spent the last 3 weeks trying to raise the level of thinking of my staff. So the Audit Leader Forum™ is a nice space to come to where everyone was already sort of at that level. They already know what it's like to have to think the chair of the Board or the Audit committee chair or all your key stakeholders, and you're not constantly tired. "While the perspectives of different in terms of our industry. there's a level set that we're all coming into, because we're all leaders. I appreciate a lot is that there's not 20 min of trying to explain why we have to think of certain things at a certain level because everyone's there. "And I like the debate and the respectful challenge of certain of the ideas. I think it was one of the first meetings I was on, and someone challenged something I was thinking and was questioning "Well, why are you trying to do that? And why?" It was that question that got me thinking in a different way. It was very respectful, and we always have respectful debate on the group calls and the different perspectives that everyone is bringing. "It's this nice little comfort coming into this group call each time. I was trying to prove internal audits value with money, and the feedback got me to kind of pivot from my cost savings to cost avoidance mindset and I start selling our value that way because of the question from the group. "When we recently had cost savings initiatives, I could say "I just helped you avoided $450,000 worth of cost because of the last project we did, so back off." I didn't have to lay off anyone this year because of this advice, nor have my budget reduced like others in our organization." CAE, Financial Services Company When you are ready to have strategic discussions in a respectful debates with peers at your level, join the Audit Leader Forum™ at: https://bit.ly/AuditLeader or message me for more details. #internalaudit #chiefauditexecutive

"I've spent the last 3 weeks trying to raise the level of thinking of my staff. So the Audit Leader Forum™ is a nice space to come to where everyone was already sort of at that level. They already know what it's like to have to think the chair of the Board or the Audit committee chair or all your key stakeholders, and you're not constantly tired. "While the perspectives of different in terms of our industry. there's a level set that we're all coming into, because we're all leaders. I appreciate a lot is that there's not 20 min of trying to explain why we have to think of certain things at a certain level because everyone's there. "And I like the debate and the respectful challenge of certain of the ideas. I think it was one of the first meetings I was on, and someone challenged something I was thinking and was questioning "Well, why are you trying to do that? And why?" It was that question that got me thinking in a different way. It was very respectful, and we always have respectful debate on the group calls and the different perspectives that everyone is bringing. "It's this nice little comfort coming into this group call each time. I was trying to prove internal audits value with money, and the feedback got me to kind of pivot from my cost savings to cost avoidance mindset and I start selling our value that way because of the question from the group. "When we recently had cost savings initiatives, I could say "I just helped you avoided $450,000 worth of cost because of the last project we did, so back off." I didn't have to lay off anyone this year because of this advice, nor have my budget reduced like others in our organization." CAE, Financial Services Company When you are ready to have strategic discussions in a respectful debates with peers at your level, join the Audit Leader Forum™ at: https://bit.ly/AuditLeader or message me for more details. #internalaudit #chiefauditexecutive

"I've spent the last 3 weeks trying to raise the level of thinking of my staff. So the Audit Leader Forum™ is a nice space to come to where everyone was already sort of at that level. They already know what it's like to have to think the chair of the Board or the Audit committee chair or all your key stakeholders, and you're not constantly tired. "While the perspectives of different in terms of our industry. there's a level set that we're all coming into, because we're all leaders. I appreciate a lot is that there's not 20 min of trying to explain why we have to think of certain things at a certain level because everyone's there. "And I like the debate and the respectful challenge of certain of the ideas. I think it was one of the first meetings I was on, and someone challenged something I was thinking and was questioning "Well, why are you trying to do that? And why?" It was that question that got me thinking in a different way. It was very respectful, and we always have respectful debate on the group calls and the different perspectives that everyone is bringing. "It's this nice little comfort coming into this group call each time. I was trying to prove internal audits value with money, and the feedback got me to kind of pivot from my cost savings to cost avoidance mindset and I start selling our value that way because of the question from the group. "When we recently had cost savings initiatives, I could say "I just helped you avoided $450,000 worth of cost because of the last project we did, so back off." I didn't have to lay off anyone this year because of this advice, nor have my budget reduced like others in our organization." CAE, Financial Services Company When you are ready to have strategic discussions in a respectful debates with peers at your level, join the Audit Leader Forum™ at: https://bit.ly/AuditLeader or message me for more details. #internalaudit #chiefauditexecutive

"I've spent the last 3 weeks trying to raise the level of thinking of my staff. So the Audit Leader Forum™ is a nice space to come to where everyone was already sort of at that level. They already know what it's like to have to think the chair of the Board or the Audit committee chair or all your key stakeholders, and you're not constantly tired. "While the perspectives of different in terms of our industry. there's a level set that we're all coming into, because we're all leaders. I appreciate a lot is that there's not 20 min of trying to explain why we have to think of certain things at a certain level because everyone's there. "And I like the debate and the respectful challenge of certain of the ideas. I think it was one of the first meetings I was on, and someone challenged something I was thinking and was questioning "Well, why are you trying to do that? And why?" It was that question that got me thinking in a different way. It was very respectful, and we always have respectful debate on the group calls and the different perspectives that everyone is bringing. "It's this nice little comfort coming into this group call each time. I was trying to prove internal audits value with money, and the feedback got me to kind of pivot from my cost savings to cost avoidance mindset and I start selling our value that way because of the question from the group. "When we recently had cost savings initiatives, I could say "I just helped you avoided $450,000 worth of cost because of the last project we did, so back off." I didn't have to lay off anyone this year because of this advice, nor have my budget reduced like others in our organization." CAE, Financial Services Company When you are ready to have strategic discussions in a respectful debates with peers at your level, join the Audit Leader Forum™ at: https://bit.ly/AuditLeader or message me for more details. #internalaudit #chiefauditexecutive