Future Accountants Unplugged

Wes Towers - Communication & Value-add as accountants

Wes Towers is a designer, marketer, and founder of Uplift 360, a digital agency built on data-driven decision-making and smart use of AI. A few years ago, a formal valuation report said his business was worth less than the assets it held and flagged AI as a major risk. Instead of retreating, Wes reworked his business model, embraced automation and AI tools, and went on to create his most profitable year to date. He now shares practical, real-world lessons on using technology, communication, and strategic thinking to build a resilient, opportunity-rich career in a changing professional landscape. We chatted about communication, your role and value-add as an accounting outside of the numbers, leadership and of course, a little about AI. Visit: https://uplift360.com.au/ [https://uplift360.com.au/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/westowers/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/westowers/]

Tom Clendon - Sabotaging your studies?

Tom helps students pass their ACCA SBR exams, he’s been teaching and helping students pass high-level accounting exams for years. We chatted about how students sometimes sabotage their studies, how to balance life and work, and of course, whether the robots are going to take our jobs! Enjoy! You can find out more about Tom here. Contact him if you need help with your SBR Exam LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomclendonsbr/] Website [https://tomclendon.co.uk/]

Prof Arshi - SECURE: Startup Business Model Evaluation Tool

A lot of accounting students I know dream about being an entrepreneur. In Part 1 of my discussion with Professor Tahseen Anwer Arshi, we spoke about some of his research relating to entrepreneurship. In this episode, we chat about the diagnostic tool he developed to help entrepreneurs evaluate and improve their business models. It’s called SECURE, and we chat about what it can do for you. Prof. Tahseen Anwer Arshi Interim Dean, School of Business, Associate Provost for Research and Sustainability  / Director of AURAK Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE). https://aurak.ac.ae/faculty/prof-tahseen-anwer-arshi#nav-profile_info [https://aurak.ac.ae/faculty/prof-tahseen-anwer-arshi#nav-profile_info] SECURE (Startup diagnostic tool) https://www.securecanvas.net/ [https://www.securecanvas.net/]

Prof Arshi - The Influence of Hormones on Entrepreneurial Decisions

A lot of the accounting students I know dream of becoming entrepreneurs. In this episode, we explore a surprising angle on entrepreneurship: does your biology influence your decisions? I chatted with Professor Tahseen Anwer Arshi about his research on how hormones influence entrepreneurial decision-making. The research is fascinating, and I think you’ll enjoy our discussion of the takeaways for you as a potential entrepreneur, and in other areas of your life where you’re required to take risks. Are there biases in your decision-making that are psychological or even biological? Part 1 focuses on the research; Check back soon for Part 2 where we talk about his startup diagnostic tool called SECURE Prof. Tahseen Anwer Arshi is Interim Dean, School of Business, Associate Provost for Research and Sustainability  / Director of AURAK Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE). https://aurak.ac.ae/faculty/prof-tahseen-anwer-arshi#nav-profile_info [https://aurak.ac.ae/faculty/prof-tahseen-anwer-arshi#nav-profile_info] The paper we discuss in this episode: Arshi, T. A., Ambrin, A., Rao, V., Morande, S., & Gul, K. (2022). A Machine Learning Assisted Study Exploring Hormonal Influences on Entrepreneurial Opportunity Behaviour. The Journal of Entrepreneurship, 31(3), 575-602. https://doi.org/10.1177/09713557221136273 [https://doi.org/10.1177/09713557221136273] (Original work published 2022) SECURE (Startup diagnostic tool) https://www.securecanvas.net/ [https://www.securecanvas.net/]

Adam Yannakakis ACCA - Finance Exam Skills

Adam focuses on providing students working towards professional finance qualifications with a proven accountability system to get them through exams. We chatted about challenges that finance students may not realise they’ll face, both in their studies and their professional careers. As always, I’m exploring the skills we need to develop to ensure we’re well prepared for our future careers, as Adam and I also discussed. The burning question: Will accountants be obsolete in the future?! Find out more about Adam and his work: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-yannakakakis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-yannakakakis/] Set up a meeting with him: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-yannakakakis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-yannakakakis/] Adam’s book recommendation: “The Let Them Theory” - Mel Robbins https://www.melrobbins.com/book/the-let-them-theory/ [https://www.melrobbins.com/book/the-let-them-theory/]