Leeds Management Accountants Conference 2018

Leeds Management Accountants Conference, Thursday 11th October.

Cloth Hall Court. Quebec Street. Leeds Beckett University. Leeds. LS1 2HA.

Following the success of last year, we will be keeping to the format as a mixture of plenary and breakout sessions.  The theme for the conference this year is ‘value’ and we will be understanding the huge value our Management Accountants can play in their HEI and how they can maximise this. 

Registration and Refreshments from 08.45am.

Following the success of last year, we will be keeping to the format as a mixture of plenary and breakout sessions.  The theme for the conference this year is ‘value’ and we will be understanding the huge value our Management Accountants can play in their HEI and how they can maximise this.  

Conference Agenda:

09.30am - Welcome to your conference

09.55am - The Changing Landscape of Higher Education.  We hear the perspective of a Vice Chancellor to share their thoughts on the current state of the HE Sector.  What are the shifts in perspective such as value and how could this impact the nature of the sector.  How important is the role of finance to support a safe passage through storm? Dr Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University. 

10.25am – Adding Value as a Management Accountant in a Changing and Challenging Environment.  We hear the views of our panel members on the ways Management Accountants can add value and make a big difference to their university.  Our panel includes; Dr Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor, Leeds Beckett University; Simon Newitt, Finance Director, Northumbria University, Jon Griffiths, Research and Operations, the University of Sheffield and Tina Egan, Director of Strategy and Planning, University of Leeds.  

11.15am Break

11.35am Breakouts

1. Resource Allocation Models – we hear from the University of Salford and the University of Edinburgh on their contribution model approaches.  This breakout is an opportunity to explore these in more detail and to ask questions.  Andrew Crozier, University of Salford and Lorna Mcloughlin, University of Edinburgh.

2.  Monthly Financial Reporting to add value. The University of Leicester shares the journey it has taken to focus on financial reports in a way that add reals value to their audience.  Identifying an opportunity to revamp their reports 18 months ago, Paul and Sonal share the changes they have made, the reason for the changes and the impact these have had.  They present a real journey in reporting to add value and will share both the challenges and positives they experienced.     Paul Gowdridge and Sonal Joshi, University of Leicester. 

3. Business Partnering to Add Value – we hear from Develop Global, David Jackson and John Sharp at the University of London about how they add value through a strong Business Partnering relationship with their teams.  David and John share their personal experience as skilled business partners and Develop Global share their learning from the Business Partner training they deliver for our sector, coupled with examples from outside of the sector.  Annette Perry, Develop Global, David Jackson and John Sharp, University of London.    

4. Student Number Planning - the conversion of student number data into tuition fee income can be seen as quite an art form.  Neil Davidson, Head of Student Statutory Reporting and Analytics at Nottingham university shares their approach to student number planning. Following a successful event at our sister group HESPA's annual conference, come along and find out why Student Number & Income Forecasting is such a big job, and why Planners & Accountants should be best friends.  Neil Davidson, University of Nottingham.

12.25 Lunch

13.05 People, Communication and Influence– Laughology.  Connecting with people is a vital skill for effective leadership. People who master it gain the keys to success and power. But just how do the best communicators become highly-skilled influencers with the ability to win hearts and minds?  This fascinating keynote reveals the secrets of human communication and gives tips and techniques you can use to help you become a master communicator. You will discover how verbal and non-verbal communication can be used to influence others and learn about the small changes you can make to help you connect better with others.  Juliette Yardley, Laughology

14.05 Breakouts repeated as above

14.55 Break

15.15 Reader Centred Writing – how to create reports that bring information to life.  This breakout session will focus on why it’s important to put the reader first, framing information to show its significance, writing in plain English and making your writing active.   Delivered by David Cameron, Emphasis Training

16.05 Conference Wrap Up

16.25 Conference Close 

The conference costs £250 (plus VAT) to attend.