Hiring an accountant is not always as transparent as one might think as anyone can say they are an accountant, regardless of whether they have specific institute endorsed qualifications. Sean Farnell, partner at Burgis & Bullock, says it is high time this shoddy state of affairs was reviewed and calls for tighter controls on who can call themselves an accountant

EY has announced combined global revenues of $31.4bn (£24.3bn) for the financial year ended 30 June 2017, marking a seventh year of growth, with digital services, business advisory and capital transactions fuelling double-digit growth in its advisory and transactions businesses

Next May, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force, across the EU including the UK, and will be a game-changer in how organisations store, secure and manage personal data, says Ian Kilpatrick, executive VP cyber security for Nuvias Group

In this week’s moves and appointments roundup, KPMG announces the lead for its commercial mobility function, CBW expands its tax team in London, Milsted Langdon Financial Services has a new wealth management adviser, and Ferguson Litigation Funding has a new business development and client care specialist onboard

A survey of UK bosses found that 61% of those working in professional services including accounting and law firms are positive about their bosses although one in 10 (9%) were slated as 'poor' managers, showing that bad management habits still pervade certain firms, although accountants were some of the best performing managers

Talks over a proposed £2bn merger between fund management firm Rathbone Brothers and Smith & Williamson have ended with no deal struck, reports Calum Fuller

Although customer complaints can come as a surprise, it is important to remain calm throughout the process, explains Gemma Carson, head of dispute resolution at law firm Wright Hassall, while providing advice on how accountants can deal with complaints effectively 

Karen Young, director at Hays Senior Finance, outlines what qualities recruiters should be looking for to earmark an individual as future finance leadership material, including honesty and decisiveness as well as work ethics

Accounting practices with fees of on average £500,000 through to £2m are encountering difficulties in managing, developing, recruiting and retaining employees and also in providing a good working environment for their employees. Keith Underwood, managing director of Foulger Underwood, looks at the reasons for an HR vacuum at smaller firms 

Pay rates for top level CEOs in the UK have fallen by 17%, but it would still take the average employee 160 years to earn the equivalent annual remuneration, according to figures from the High Pay Centre

Global accountancy networks are still struggling to disclose female partner numbers, with gender diversity growth across the networks stalling as women partner numbers fall by 10% compared to the previous year, reports Rachel Willcox