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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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Improving Employee Engagement in Accountancy and Finance Teams

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For accountancy and finance businesses, engaged and motivated employees play a vital role in driving performance, supporting growth and maintaining high professional standards...

Whether within an SME finance function or a larger corporate environment, people who feel valued and invested in are far more likely to contribute positively to the success of the organisation.

Employee engagement is not something that can simply be introduced through policy or enforced from senior leadership. Instead, it is built over time through culture, leadership behaviour and consistent communication. For finance teams operating in high-pressure, deadline-driven environments, engagement can

be the difference between a reactive workforce and a proactive, high-performing one.

There are several key areas organisations should consider when looking to strengthen engagement within their finance and accountancy teams.

A finance and accountancy leader discusses strategies with colleagues in a modern office setting.

Develop strong and visible leaders

While engagement cannot be mandated, leadership plays a crucial role in setting the tone. Finance leaders and senior managers must clearly communicate the organisation’s direction, objectives and expectations in a way that is transparent, motivating and relevant to their teams. When people understand how their role contributes to wider business goals, they are more likely to feel connected and committed.

Encourage two-way communication

Effective engagement relies on open dialogue. Alongside communicating business priorities, organisations should ensure finance professionals have regular opportunities to share feedback, ideas and concerns with their line managers. Encouraging involvement in decision-making — whether around process improvements, systems changes or workload planning — can significantly increase motivation and ownership.

A manager and employee seated at a table with a laptop, engaged in a professional conversation.

Focus on effective line management

Strong technical ability does not always equate to strong people management. In finance teams, line managers must be equipped to motivate, support and develop individuals with differing communication styles and career aspirations. Taking the time to listen, provide clear guidance and empower team members to take responsibility for their work is essential for long-term engagement and retention.

Build trust and consistency

Trust is fundamental to engagement. Finance professionals need to feel confident that commitments made by leadership — whether around progression, training, flexible working or reward — are genuine and achievable. Clear expectations, realistic objectives and consistent follow-through help build credibility and reinforce a positive working culture.

Business people shaking hands, surrounded by icons symbolising trust between employee and manager.

For organisations operating in a competitive accountancy and finance talent market, employee engagement is closely linked to retention and succession planning. Businesses that invest in leadership, communication and trust are far better placed to attract and retain high-calibre finance professionals.

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Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent finance and accountancy professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield, our experienced consultants work closely with organisations across Yorkshire and beyond, supporting long-term workforce planning and talent strategy.

Contact us today to find out more.