OPBAS has entered the building

So that’s our first OPBAS inspection done. We now wait for around six weeks to find out how well we did. It’s a bit like going to the doctor for an annual checkup; you go along thinking you are pretty fit and then you watch as the doctor writes down those secret notes that only she will see, frowns when you answer the questions, asks you the same question several times but from a slightly different angle, and then questions your exercise regime, before frowning again and adding to her copious notes. Then she says it was good to see you and says she’ll be in touch as soon as the test results come back. You then spend the ensuing weeks going over your answers, reassuring yourself that you are fit but still nervous that someone else will ultimately decide.

I’ve just broken off from writing this post to answer a call on my mobile from someone who, in a strong Liverpool accent and using my first name at least once in every sentence, told me that I had been specially selected and ‘profiled’ and that he had a new investment programme that would ideally suit my lifestyle. So much for GDPR. When I asked how he obtained my name and number, he suggested that I might have taken out a new credit card or something and given my authority.

Back to business. The final four legs of the very successful Inspire Tour take place over the next two weeks. Brighton, Colchester, London and Edinburgh. These are pretty jam-packed seminars and if you haven’t managed to get to one yet, you ought to try to get to one of these remaining venues.   Contracts, GDPR, taking lien, money laundering, BOOMs, Continuation of Practice Engagement (COPE), MTDfB update and of course sponsors Sage and Ocrex Auto Entry provide insights into not only how new technology is changing the face our profession but how you can use technology to do your job better and more effectively. Estimates vary on the exact number of businesses that are not yet geared up for MTDfB but one thing is very certain; bookkeepers are going to be in huge demand. So we are going to need new ways of working if we are to seize this fantastic opportunity. Not only will you go away thoroughly inspired but you will be given refreshments, a good lunch and will get plenty of time to chat to your fellow ICB Bookkeepers.

If you hold an ICB Practice Licence, you will shortly receive the eagerly anticipated BOOM email and instructions on how you will need to update the information ICB holds on the Beneficial Owners, Officers and Managers of your practice. Please do not ignore the email and if you do have any queries, do not hesitate to get in touch. Please treat it like a VAT return - fill it in the online form carefully and accurately and then get it back to us by the deadline. Thank you in advance for keeping ICB on the right side of OPBAS. 

I was invited to attend yesterday’s meeting in London of the ICB Advisory Council. The Council has been expanded to bring in more members from the regions and this growing group, skilfully chaired by Paula Veysey-Smith, is taking on increasing responsibility for advising and guiding the ICB Executive Board as it takes ICB to even greater heights and successes. There is a list of Council members on the ICB website.

You will also note that there are one or two vacancies. If you come from one of these regions and feel you could make a contribution to the future of ICB, I would urge you to get in contact and register your interest.

In an effort to get this post finished and enable Ami Copeland and her team to maintain intact their record of monthly newsletter production in 2018, I shall end there. Have a good Summer and hope to see you at an Inspire Tour.