Next up in our speaker Q&A series is Steve Cox, a technologist and accountant who looks at how technology can simplify the modern accounting world. Currently Chief Evangelist for IRIS Group, Steve has worked closely with customers, software companies and the government and is championing the digital transformation of UK SMEs and accountants.
How did you get in to the profession?
I always had a love of numbers from an early age and followed this love into an Accounting degree. But the ‘secret geek’ in me wouldn’t stay quiet so when I completed my degree I wanted to blend my two passions of numbers and computers rather than go directly into practice. Hence, I found myself looking into the Accounting Software Industry, IRIS fitted perfectly and the rest is 15 years of history.
What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?
Getting people to lift their head above the ‘compliance waterline’ and think beyond the here and now. Our industry is so compliance focused that people forget that accountancy is a ‘business’ as well as a ‘service’ and we have to focus on the business side more.
And the most rewarding?
Seeing the industry and customers moving forwards despite the many hurdles in their way.
Who or what inspires you to be even better?
Simon Sinek is an inspiration for driving my motivation. His concept of always ‘start with why’ is something I follow in everything I do, question the important things and always come back to ‘why are we doing this’ and ‘what is the why’. This enables me to stay focused on the problem or question being solved.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Give everyday 110% and you’ll always exceed expectations — it’s a great piece of advice that I have passed onto my family too, that and always mind your manners!
What is the one thing accountants must do to adapt and remain successful?
Constant evolution. The accountancy landscape is not a mountain to climb, rather a turbulent sea. We have to evolve our thinking, methods and mindsets to constantly stay ahead and ride the wave rather than tumble under it.
What do you want delegates to take away from your session?
That they should be embracing the future and not be scared of the transforming new technologies will bring.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know
I have flown a plane!
See Steve at Accountex Summit North: The Accountancy Climatic Flip – Time for Digital
March 6 @ 3:15pm in the How-To Theatre
The industry is right in the middle of the biggest change we have seen for decades. However, with the disruption comes opportunity – the climatic flip. Join Steve as he provides insight into the latest research as to the state of accountancy and how you can succeed amidst the future changes.