Matthew Ord

Senior Digital Staff Writer at Insider Media

Former baby. Wildly uncontroversial. Views mine.

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Articles

Private equity must respect audit quality

2 weeks ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Matthew Ord

As private equity’s presence in the accounting profession continues to grow, so too do the concerns of those who aren’t sure about the implications – be it good or bad. On the back of that rising influence, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) is calling for a multi-stakeholder review of the framework governing who can own audit firms.
BDO bucks skills crisis with wide talent pool

3 weeks ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Matthew Ord

Accounting continues to be plagued by a skills crisis, with both recruitment and retention presenting a problem that is yet to be solved. Be it a lack of available talent or qualified workers, or the next generation wanting something new and different from their day to day, it’s a concern for a lot of firms.
People-focused audit strategy works for Bishop Fleming

4 weeks ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Matthew Ord

Audit is in a tough spot, with trust at a real low and some big name players – such as EY and PwC – being hit with multimillion-pound fines by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). However, Bishop Fleming is bucking the trend, with audit revenues having increased by at least 23% in each of the past three years and another strong period underway.
The Progressive Firm Podcast: Why go for growth?

1 month ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Matthew Ord

Growth is like oxygen for accounting firms - they can’t live without it. That’s the opinion of DJH chief executive Scott Heath, who joined Laura Leslie, a partner at DSG, as the first two guests on AccountingWEB’s new show, The Progressive Firm Podcast. Series one will explore the growth journey, from how such an idea is born to the hurdles that firms may well come up against along the way.
AI users bedazzled by efficiency amid ESG concerns

1 month ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Matthew Ord

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been under the spotlight for a while now, with its impact on the accounting profession having become a weekly topic of discussion. Will it make certain tasks easier? Might it replace entry-level jobs? Should we be nervous or excited by it? Most people have a take on it, but the one conversation that isn’t happening as often is the environmental and ethical toll.
Finance leaders’ remit continues to expand

1 month ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Matthew Ord

Finance leaders are seen a little differently to how they once were, while their profession is changing too. They’ve got the talent shortage to navigate, artificial intelligence (AI) to adopt and a wider remit to step up to. Gone is the assumption that they’re simply “number crunchers”, as was once the stereotypical view.
FC excluded for fiddling pension contributions

1 month ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Matthew Ord

An Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) member has been excluded and hit with a £16,000 fine after being found to have paid enhanced employer pension contributions into his nominated pension fund totalling £86,954.36. Adrian Jones had been a member of the ICAEW since 1999 and in 2010, took employment with a precision engineering company, C Ltd, as its financial controller and company secretary.
Accountant booted for fiddling personal pension

1 month ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Matthew Ord

An Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) member has been excluded and hit with a £16,000 bill after being found to have paid enhanced employer pension contributions into his nominated pension fund totalling £86,954.36. Adrian Jones had been a member of the ICAEW since 1999 and in 2010, took employment with a precision engineering company, C Ltd, as its financial controller and company secretary.
Bank of England cuts interest rates

1 month ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Matthew Ord

Interest rates have been cut by the Bank of England to 4.25%. The drop is the second of 2025 and fourth since it hit 5.25% last year, with further reductions expected over the coming months. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 5–4 to reduce the rate by 0.25 percentage points. Two members had preferred to reduce it by 0.5 percentage points to 4%, while a further two preferred to maintain the rate at 4.5%.
Adopting tech is a matter of survival for finance leaders

1 month ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Matthew Ord

Technology is reshaping how the finance function works, meaning CFOs and FDs must navigate an increasingly complex tech stack while ensuring minimal disruption to their workflow. Almost every element of the role is influenced by the advancements being made, meaning those in charge need to be aware of emerging tools, how to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and what the future of finance looks like.