Soraya Downing

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.

Read article

Back to Team

Soraya Downing

Senior Consultant

Soraya Downing joined Sharp Consultancy in January 2025 as a Senior Consultant, bringing a wealth of experience in finance recruitment and a naturally engaging approach. After completing sixth form, where she studied Economics, Sociology, and Politics, Soraya began her career at BT in the retention department, handling customer complaints and issue resolution. She later moved into an internal recruitment secondment, where she managed the hiring of sales and complaints specialists for BT’s Doncaster and Lincoln offices

It was in 2021 when Soraya transitioned into external recruitment, before joining Sharp Consultancy to focus specifically on Accountancy and Finance. She is a specialist within Accountancy and Finance, having built a deep understanding of the finance market and an impressive network of professionals.

At Sharp Consultancy, Soraya focuses on permanent Part Qualified, Qualified by Experience and Qualified finance roles with salaries ranging from £30,000 to £50,000 across Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley, Worksop, Hull and the surrounding areas.

Described by friends as fun, happy, and bubbly, Soraya’s warm personality and dedication to her work make her an invaluable member of the team. She is committed to understanding both client and candidate needs, ensuring the recruitment process is seamless, positive, and successful for everyone involved.

Outside of work, Soraya leads a vibrant lifestyle. She enjoys horse riding, boxing, and discovering new places to eat out. Whether she's spending time with family and friends or embracing her hobbies, Soraya brings the same energy and enthusiasm to her personal life as she does to her professional one.

With years of industry experience and a personable, energetic approach, Soraya Downing is perfectly placed to support your finance recruitment needs. Reach out to Soraya for expert insight and tailored support across South Yorkshire’s finance market.