ICAEW Scotland: Sole and small practice insight group | 2026

ICAEW Scotland: Sole and small practice insight group | 2026

No Charge
Available
Virtual
Scotland
Scotland Region
Feb
12
Thu
-
Aug
13
Thu
12:00
-
PM
13:00GMT
Schedule Description: These virtual insight groups are designed for sole practitioners and owners of small practices. They serve as a confidential sounding board for discus
CPD hours: 1 hr
Zoom Passcode: [email protected]

Description

These virtual insight groups are designed for sole practitioners and owners of small practices. They serve as a confidential sounding board for discussing strategic options, seeking advice, and gaining objective opinions from experienced peers. The groups provide a platform to share ideas, knowledge, and build a trusted professional network, driving benefits and opportunities for all practices and their clients.

Please choose from the dates below to view more details.
Event Details
ICAEW Scotland: Sole and small practice insight group | What are tax practitioners really seeing on the ground right now? | 13 August 2026

ICAEW Scotland: Sole and small practice insight group | What are tax practitioners really seeing on the ground right now? | 13 August 2026

No Charge
Available
Virtual
Scotland
Scotland Region
Aug
13
Thu
12:00
-
13:00 BST
Schedule Type Title: Weekdays
Schedule Description: These virtual insight groups are designed for sole practitioners and owners of small practices. They serve as a confidential sounding board for discus
Sessions: 1
Session Hours: 1.00
Zoom Link: All meetings are virtual via Zoom Join Zoom Meeting https://icaew.zoom.us/j/99052291316?pwd=eVdYM3ZFRDI5MmhDaEJKU2ZRVTBZZz09 Meeting ID: 990 5229 1316 Passcode: 021634
CPD hours: 1 hr
Zoom Passcode: [email protected]
Virtual
.

Description

These virtual insight groups are designed for sole practitioners and owners of small practices. They serve as a confidential sounding board for discussing strategic options, seeking advice, and gaining objective opinions from experienced peers. The groups provide a platform to share ideas, knowledge, and build a trusted professional network, driving benefits and opportunities for all practices and their clients.

Book here
Date and time Location
13/08/2026 12:00 - 13:00 Virtual

Event Information | Topic: What are tax practitioners really seeing on the ground right now?

Connect with fellow sole and small practitioners for an informal exploration of the latest challenges and opportunities currently impacting the profession. This session offers a collaborative space to share your experiences, navigate emerging trends, and exchange practical solutions with peers who understand the unique landscape of small practice.

Dawn Black, fellow Scotland member and a member of ICAEW’s Practitioner Tax Committee, will share insights into the key challenges, emerging risks, and what to be watching in the months ahead. She will also highlight how these insights are being fed directly into ICAEW’s work with HMRC and government, and where ICAEW is focusing its support for members.

It’s a great opportunity to hear how member feedback is shaping policy, guidance and practical support—and to contribute your own perspectives to the wider conversation influencing the profession.

As always, there will be time for open questions and the challenges of the day in this session which will be chaired by Neil Strong, Partner, Mazars.

Confidentiality and Format

  • Chatham House Rules | All discussions are held under Chatham House Rules, fostering an environment for open, honest conversation whilst ensuring total confidentiality.

  • Agile agenda | We will confirm any specific emerging themes closer to the date. If there is a particular topic you would like to see addressed, please let us know—your input is essential in shaping our focus.

Who Should Attend?

  • Sole practitioners or owners/partners in small practices looking to build a professional network for peer support, idea collaboration, and sharing best practices on common issues.
  • Individuals contemplating the transition to sole practice, eager to learn more about expectations and challenges.
  • Those in the early stages of setting up as sole practitioners, aiming to benefit from valuable advice and insights.
  • Practitioners aiming to expand their services and explore the partnership model.
  • Individuals new to being a small practice owner or partner.

Why You Should Attend

Working as a sole practitioner or being the owner of a small practice can often leave you without a valuable sounding board. You may welcome the opportunity to discuss your options, seek the advice and objective opinions of others experienced in their field, and share your ideas and knowledge.

Our virtual insight groups provide the perfect forum for those working as a sole practitioner or in a small practice. It connects you with a trusted, like-minded network, addressing the challenge of finding time to focus on professional relationship building.

All sessions are confidential and non-judgmental, allowing you to discuss your issues openly, seek advice on common issues, and pose your questions to supportive fellow professionals.

While there is no fixed agenda for these meetings (unless by request), the meetings are professionally facilitated. All participants are encouraged to take an active part in the conversation, bring their ideas, and contribute to setting topics for future discussion.

Previous discussion topics have been:

  • MTD for IT
  • Roundtable with FSB lead in Scotland
  • Technology and AI in practice
  • Reflecting on the Chancellor’s Budget
  • Sharing success and challenges with ICAEW Practice Team
  • Sharing best practice and top tips to work smarter – focussing on technology and how we use it.

The discussion will be facilitated by Neil Strong, ICAEW Scotland practice lead, with input from fellow practitioners Hilary Dyson, Annja Louca, and Stuart McDonagh.

Online booking will close on the day before the event and will indicate ‘fully booked’; however, sometimes, spaces can still be available – please contact the event organiser to confirm.

Event enquiries

Should you experience any difficulties booking onto the event, please go to our events support page - how to book. If you need assistance making a booking, please contact the Events Information team who will be happy to support with the online booking process.

Just click contact us.

Your local event organiser will also be able to assist with any last minute questions if you are unable to reach our Events Information team.

Event Organiser - Alison Tait

Have you joined our LinkedIn group?

Meet local members and join here | ICAEW Scotland LinkedIn group >

Please note that the programme is subject to change

Time Session

12:00

Arrival, welcome and introductions

12:05

Themes, topics and open discussion / small breakout group discussion and feedback

13:00

Conclude

Meet the practitioners helping to facilitate and lead these regular small practice discussions:

Hilary Dyson | Director | Bridge Financials

A chartered accountant with a passion for working with people to solve problems and look beyond the numbers. Hilary has spent more than 25 years as an accountant and accounting software specialist with clients ranging from owner-managed businesses to multi-national organisations. As an early adopter of Xero Hilary has worked with the software as it has developed as the market-leading accounting software of choice for businesses across the world. Hilary has experience with a diverse range of clients including not-for-profits and government departments as well as commercial entities. She is a member of the ICAEW Scotland Small Practice Group.

Annja Louca | Director | Anlo Financial Solutions

Annja runs her own practices in Scotland and South Africa, she works with SMEs to help them better understand their finances, to help them grow and to put in place the financial controls that can assist them in obtaining the right information when the need it.

Stuart McDonagh | Director / Principal | SYKAM & Co

Stuart has been involved in a wide variety of businesses for over 30 years ranging from start-ups and small businesses to major Plc’s. Stuart began his career in the London office of BDO Binder Hamlyn, where he qualified in 1991. He then moved straight into industry working as a Finance Director in subsidiaries of a number of Plc’s, eventually becoming the Managing Director of a division of Kier Group plc. From 2010 he has been involved with a range SME’s as a Finance Director, Managing Director and Non-Executive Director. Stuart is now a general practitioner and covers all business sectors using his specialist knowledge in the food and drink, property investment and development and manufacturing sectors to help businesses achieve their growth targets.

Neil Strong | Tax Partner | Mazars

Neil specialises in taxation advice to owner managed businesses and high net worth individuals. He aims to increase engagement with ICAEW members in Scotland and provide support to members in practice as the IMS practice lead.

Profile image

Dawn Black

Dawn Black qualified with Deloitte in Jersey and has spent much of her career in the commercial sector, including with National Grid. Since 2018, she has run her own digital-first practice in St Andrews, alongside working with a large CA firm based in Dundee. She supports a diverse client base across sectors and geographies, including overseas clients, and is particularly passionate about small business and the commercial perspective. An advocate of Making Tax Digital, Dawn has a strong interest in helping clients resolve complex or outstanding tax affairs with HMRC, as well as advising on property-related matters.

RateCost
PriceNo Charge

Legal Disclaimer

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) does not endorse or recommend any third-party products, services, or companies mentioned during this event or in related materials. References to any such products, services, or companies are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by ICAEW.

The views and opinions expressed by third-party speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of ICAEW. ICAEW does not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, or legality of the content presented by third-party speakers.

For further information or clarification, please contact ICAEW directly.

This event requires participant information to register. Please login and/or fill in the participants information.
Back
Basket
Item(s) £0.00
Grand Total £0.00
Powered by Configio