Thoughts on the future of accountancy with David Howard

‘The accountancy world is changing’

Says David Howard, Executive Audit and Accounts Manager of Rayner Essex, when asked about the future of accountancy and what changes he can predict.

David believes that the accountancy world will continue to become more and more computerised and there’ll be more regulation which will increase the amount of direct interaction between firms and agencies like HMRC.  Some may consider that this might limit the role of the accountant advising clients but David feels business owners will still require strategic advice regarding investment and other commercial planning.

David is looking forward to the new challenges of Making Tax Digital which is set to be introduced in April 2019. He will be very involved in these developments as the majority of his clients’ work, which is carried out by the Accounting Solutions department, will be affected greatly by Making Tax Digital.

David Howard is one of the longest serving members of staff at Rayner Essex and joined the Accountancy firm in November 1983 as an Audit Senior. He soon became Assistant Manager which led to promotion to Manager and in 1988 he became Personal Assistant to Partner Charles Essex which led to promotion to Executive Manager, a role not long introduced within Rayner Essex at the time.

David, known within the firm for his knowledge and professionalism, has managed in almost every department including IT, payroll, and company secretarial and admits that over the years his ‘role has changed a lot’ but that he enjoys the ‘variety of the work’. His current role at Rayner Essex is Executive Audit and Accounts Manager, where he is responsible for reviewing accounts, VAT returns, offering advice on money laundering issues and managing the company secretarial area for Rayner Essex.  He is a frequent attendee at the numerous networking events that Rayner Essex host throughout the year, including their annual Golf Days.

As of today, David can be found working hard reviewing VAT returns due to the impending VAT deadline. He is currently balancing this with billing, the reviewing of files and attending regular client meetings. Despite the current summer holiday period work doesn’t slow down for David.