At a glance
- The MAC gathers feedback from accountants to shape IFA policy and support professional development.
- Events and outreach efforts target students, overseas professionals, and firm staff to boost IFA membership.
- CPD sessions feature expert speakers on tax, AML, digital compliance, and regulatory changes.
- Members get guidance on peak workloads, software updates, and evolving tax rules like Budget reforms and asset relief.
Ermal Krutani is an accountant on a mission. An IFA member since 2013, he is on the IFA’s Members Advisory Committee (MAC) and regional ambassador for London where he is passionate about attracting new accountants into the profession and the institute.
The regional meetings are open to all members, bringing together accountancy professionals and provide valuable insights from members to the institute.
His role on the MAC and as a regional ambassador gives Krutani an important dual role. On the MAC, he provides valuable input on the IFA’s internal policy strategy and as regional ambassador, he supports members with their development, answers queries and helps boost IFA’s membership.
“We try to make [the regional meetings] as relevant and as beneficial as possible to the membership. We try to understand what works and doesn’t work, and share ideas. In each region there are a lot of challenges, and a lot of good stuff.”
Member engagement and growth
Each region holds regular events which form part of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme that IFA provides to its members. A key part of Krutani’s role is encouraging members to attend the meetings to support their skill-building.
We do want members to come along. These meetings are very beneficial. They certainly have been for me!”
The IFA leverages its relationship with Northeastern University to invite students to attend events. The goal is to encourage students to join the IFA as members, enhancing their apprenticeship opportunities and employment prospects with IFA-certified firms.
Krutani is Managing Director at Devonports LAS, recently acquired by Xeinadin Group, which has an outsourcing office in Albania. Krutani explains: “We have an outsourcing company and members in Albania that we have put through the IFA route. They studied, went through the IFA direct education programme and they’re now full members of the IFA.”
Sourcing speakers for events
Speakers attend each regional meeting to talk about a wide range of topics that are pertinent to the members. “We organise speakers that will talk about subjects like tax and anti-money laundering, cybersecurity and any other subjects that are of interest to our membership. Tax seems to be one of the most attended events.”
Krutani works with the IFA to organise the expert speakers: “The IFA has loads of connections, but sometimes we need something specific so we use our network to find the right person. Sometimes colleagues come and speak, for example we might have a talk on AML delivered by Tim Pinkney, IFA Director of Professional Standards.”
“The Budget was very interesting. [Members] wanted to understand what affects them as a practice, how it would affect their clients, what they should be worrying about, and what they should be telling clients.”
Ermal Krutani, London Regional Ambassador
Others are external. The next networking event on 9 April features Daniel Amure, Deputy Agent for the Bank of England in Greater London, who will present the Bank’s latest assessment of the UK economy and the key factors influencing it.
What’s on members’ minds?
Many members face similar issues they share with the regional ambassadors. For example, winter is almost all accountants’ busiest time because they need to deal with self assessment, as well as the accounts for limited companies’ year end (often at the end of March), all while factoring in a shorter month in December due to firms closing for Christmas. Some events focus on techniques for managing this busy period.
Another is keeping track of software developments and new digital regulations: “In upcoming events we’ll be getting software vendors to help our clients deal with the MTD ITSA. There’s a lot to do in the coming year for MTD. It’s a big challenge.”
Other issues are more London-centric, such as questions around the changes from the Budget and this week’s Spring Statement. At the regional networking events the IFA provides updates on regulatory changes and offers practical advice on how to navigate them.
Krutani says events around the Budget and Spring Statement get a lot of interest from members. “The Budget was very interesting. [Members] wanted to understand what affects them as a practice, how it would affect their clients, what they should be worrying about, and what they should be telling clients.”
In London, Krutani also fields a lot of questions around business asset disposal relief, a key tax relief for business owners looking to sell or dispose of their assets. Many professionals want to understand who qualifies for the relief, how much tax they can save, and how recent changes might affect them. The process can be complex, and Krutani helps members navigate it whilst keeping them updated on the guidelines.
Through IFA membership, firms can engage with key industry bodies via regional ambassadors like Krutani, while also benefiting from professional development support and peer-to-peer guidance at the events to meaningfully address their issues.
The next online MAC town hall is on 10 June, more information can be found here.
