Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing the newly appointed CEO of ICB UK, Ami Copeland. She has a wealth of experience in the finance industry and we are excited to hear her insights and vision for the future of ICB UK. As the leading professional body for bookkeepers in the UK, ICB UK has a crucial role to play in supporting and promoting the bookkeeping profession.

The XU Team has worked closely with the ICB UK team over the past few years and we have loved all the opportunities that has brought us to reach out and work with some of the best bookkeepers in the world. Throughout our partnership we have had the opportunity to get to know the awesome ICB team closely including Ami.

We look forward to learning about Ami’s plans for the organization and how she intends to drive growth and innovation in the industry. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

XU:

‍Can you tell us about your background and experience in the industry that led to your appointment as CEO of ICB?

AC:

Well, I got the promotion after working at ICB as Director of Communications for several years. I was responsible for all the fun stuff - running events, like our annual conference the Bookkeepers Summit, supporting our community and generating our content. What I’ve really been trying to do is drive a member-centric culture within the organisation and make sure that we never lose sight of our purpose which is to empower bookkeepers and provide a trusted benchmark for the profession.

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XU:

‍As an influential role model for aspiring female leaders, what advice would you offer to women starting out in their careers? And how will you continue to inspire young women to choose a career in business?

AC:

You’ve got to believe in yourself, take risks and do what scares you. It’s well-documented that women don’t apply for jobs unless they’re over-qualified for them. Well, by that point it’s too late and you’ll be applying for a job that won’t challenge you. So step out of your own way! If you’re never messing up and making mistakes it’s possible you need to learn to get out of your comfort zone and accept that nobody’s perfect. I also think it’s really important to ask for help and seek out people who will support you. At ICB, we love shouting about the achievements of our (78% female) bookkeeping members and we connect them with others who can lead the way and offer a helping hand.

XU:

‍In your opinion, what makes bookkeepers such a valuable asset to the finance industry, and how does ICB UK support their professional development?

AC:

Good bookkeeping is vital to the healthy functioning of the UK economy. Professional bookkeepers provide trusted, expert support to business owners to turn the numbers into a narrative that empowers businesses to make informed decisions. At ICB, we support the professional development of our bookkeepers through ongoing education alongside technical and regulatory updates that enable them to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices.

XU:

‍Can you share some of the unique challenges faced by bookkeepers in the current market, and how does ICB UK help them overcome these challenges?

AC:

Change is constant in our profession. MTD, basis period reform, AML, increased regulation, increasingly global trade, all conspire to provide the bookkeeper with a never-ending flow of businesses who need their expertise to lean on and, dare I say it, shoulder to cry on! Couple that with all the cool tech that automates processes on the one hand but adds additional work on the other, and you’ve got a lot of opportunities and challenges for bookkeepers. At ICB, we are committed to equipping our bookkeepers with the technical skills, ethical mindset and business intelligence to navigate this changing landscape and adapt to new technologies.

XU: ‍

How does ICB UK aim to raise awareness of the importance of bookkeepers and the role they play in ensuring the financial stability of businesses? And what do you love most about the bookkeeping profession?

AC:

ICB engages with businesses, government bodies, business organisations and other stakeholders to promote the value of good bookkeeping and represent the views of professional bookkeepers. Personally, what I love most about the bookkeeping profession is seeing good people do good work that brings satisfaction and financial stability to themselves and the businesses they work with. It’s such a good news story that it’s difficult to stop gushing about it!

XU:

ICB has a strong reputation in the market, how do you plan to maintain and build upon that reputation?

AC:

Thank you. I agree! ICB’s strong reputation comes from leading a global bookkeeping community united by high standards, passion for the profession, and a commitment to making the business of running a business better for everyone.  We intend to maintain and build upon that reputation through listening to our members and continuously analysing the needs of the market.

XU:

How do you plan to drive growth and innovation at ICB, and what initiatives do you have in the pipeline?

AC:

I’m excited to be working with excellent training providers in new territories to enable more people to join the bookkeeping profession around the world. We’re also investing heavily in technology and introducing new products and services that meet the evolving needs of our highly in-demand members.

XU:

ICB has a diverse range of members, how do you plan to address the unique needs and demands of each segment?

AC:

We are so proud of our diversity at ICB. Maya Angelou said “in diversity there is beauty and there is strength” and we know it makes us more effective as a team and we see how it strengthens our membership as a whole. We’ve designed our online on-demand exams with accessibility at the core and we want to continue to break down barriers into the accountancy profession. One of the first things I did in my new role is create a D&I Committee that will feed back to our executive team and sense-check our work so that we can ensure we are supporting our diverse network of members. We believe in creating opportunities for growth, learning, and connection, and we strive to provide a platform for all members to share their talents and perspectives.

XU:

Can you speak to the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability, and how these values will be reflected in the business strategy moving forward?

AC:

We’re a purpose-driven organisation and we believe that together we can make a positive impact on the world. Our organisational values are purpose, passion and progress and, in fact, building a sustainable organisation and workforce is one of our key strategic objectives. You could say that CSR and sustainability are integral to the success of any business these days and so ICB is exploring new ways to reach under-served communities, reduce our environmental footprint and make a meaningful contribution to the world of work and learning.

XU:

How do you plan to foster a strong and motivated team at ICB, and what kind of company culture are you hoping to cultivate?

AC:

I’m really lucky to be working with a team of passionate people who believe in our purpose and are committed to making progress every day. But it’s not always easy! Like a lot of businesses we’ve experienced teething problems while adapting to a more permanent hybrid-working model and there’s a lot of economic factors at play at the moment which make life for a small business fairly unpredictable. I just keep trying to be open-minded, humble and honest. I think the job of any manager or company leader is to provide clarity and consistency for the team. I find that just showing people that you believe in them can be really motivating.

XU:

Can you give us a glimpse into your long-term vision for ICB, and where you see the company in 5-10 years?

AC:

Our long-term vision is that behind every good business there’ll be a good bookkeeper and behind every good bookkeeper there will be ICB.

XU:

Lastly, what message would you like to share with the employees, shareholders, and customers of ICB as you begin your new role as CEO?

AC:

This is a really exciting time to be working in the bookkeeping profession and I’m ambitious for what we can achieve together. I’m committed to delivering value and making a positive impact on the bookkeeping profession, small businesses and economies around the world. Together, we will spread the transformative power of good bookkeeping to every corner of the earth.