How to Master Tricky Conversations at Work | Sharp

FRS 102 Revised Seminar Brings South Yorkshire Finance Leaders Together

In collaboration with Shorts Chartered Accountants, we recently hosted a seminar for senior finance professionals from across the region.The event brought together a number of Finance Directors, Financial Controllers and senior leaders from across the region for a morning of insight, discussion and networking over breakfast. It was a pleasure to welcome so many familiar faces, alongside new contacts, reflecting the strength and depth of the Yorkshire finance community. The seminar was presented by Howard Freeman, Audit & Accounts Partner, and Andy Ryder, Corporate Finance Partner at Shorts. We are extremely grateful to both speakers for sharing their time and expertise, and for delivering a clear, practical overview of the forthcoming changes to FRS 102, which came into effect on 1 January 2026 and are expected to impact a significant number of UK businesses. The session explored what is changing and why, particularly in relation to lease accounting and revenue recognition, and considered what the updates mean in practice for finance teams and business leaders. The speakers also addressed the new reporting requirements under FRS 102, the potential impact on EBITDA and valuation methodologies, and the key considerations for organisations as they prepare for implementation. Rather than focusing purely on technical detail, the seminar encouraged broader discussion around readiness, communication with stakeholders and the commercial implications of the changes. This led to a highly engaged Q&A session, with attendees sharing perspectives and experiences from their own organisations. At Sharp Consultancy, we are committed to supporting the finance community beyond recruitment alone. Events such as this form part of our ongoing effort to create opportunities for connection, knowledge-sharing and professional development among senior finance professionals. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Shorts for partnering with us on this event, and in particular to Howard and Andy for delivering such an informative and thought-provoking session. We are also grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion. We look forward to hosting further events in the coming months and continuing to work closely with our network of finance leaders across the region.If you would like to discuss how these changes may impact your finance team, or if you are considering strengthening your leadership function, please contact us for a confidential conversation.

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Nobody looks forward to a potentially tricky conversation at work.

But over the course of your career in accountancy and finance, you will almost certainly face situations where you need to raise issues that may feel uncomfortable – or risk being misunderstood.

Whether you’re a Part-Qualified Accountant asking for a salary review, a Finance Manager addressing missed reporting deadlines, or a Financial Controller handling a difficult probationary review, it’s essential to approach these conversations constructively. Avoiding them altogether can lead to frustration, strained working relationships, and even hinder your long-term career progression.

Here are some practical steps to handle difficult conversations professionally:

Step One: Plan Ahead

Before initiating the discussion, be clear on the purpose of the conversation and what outcome you’re aiming for. Consider whether it should be informal (a quick chat with a colleague who is struggling with reconciliations) or formal (a performance review in line with HR policy). Choosing the right time and place is especially important in a finance environment where workloads may peak around month-end, audits, or year-end.

A person plans work conversations while typing on a laptop, with a notepad and pen beside them for notes.

Step Two: Prepare Your Key Points

In the finance profession, clarity and evidence are everything. Preparing bullet points and examples – whether it’s missed reporting deadlines, errors in management accounts, or benchmarking salary data when requesting a pay rise – will help you make your case logically and professionally.

The way you communicate matters too. Use measured, collaborative language to show you are aiming for a constructive outcome, not simply pointing out problems.

Step Three: Understand the Other Perspective

Try to see the issue from the other person’s point of view. For example:

Have reporting deadlines slipped because workloads have increased during an ERP system change?
Does a colleague lack the technical skills for a particular task and need further training in Excel or IFRS standards?
Has budget for pay rises been restricted due to wider business performance?

Acknowledging these factors won’t remove the need for the conversation, but it will help you approach it fairly and professionally.

Step Four: Manage Your Emotions

Four yellow smiley faces, two happy and two sad, representing the theme of managing emotions effectively.

Difficult conversations in finance teams can quickly become tense, particularly when issues affect business-critical outputs such as payroll, audits, or budgets. Stay calm, focus on the key points, and avoid reacting emotionally. If emotions do run high, take a pause before responding so the discussion remains constructive and solution-focused.

Final Thoughts

Handling difficult conversations well is a key skill for any finance professional, from transactional roles through to senior leadership. By approaching them with preparation, professionalism, and empathy, you can protect working relationships, strengthen your reputation, and support your long-term career growth.

At Sharp Consultancy, we specialise in connecting talented interim finance professionals with businesses across Yorkshire and the surrounding areas. Whether you're ready for your next challenge or need trusted interim support, speak to Colin Molyneux or one of our dedicated Interim Specialists today.

📞Call us on 0113 236 6300 / 0114 261 1700 or📧email contact@sharpconsultancy.com to start the conversation.

How to Handle Difficult Conversations in the Accountancy & Finance Profession