Although I don’t speak at accounting events very much these days (after 400+ keynotes in the past decade, I figured the audience deserved a breather), I had the opportunity last week to get a behind-the-scenes look at Accountex Manchester.
Caroline Hobden and her team have grown the Accountex brand into a genuinely global presence. With well-established shows in Manchester, London, Madrid and Toronto, plus one-offs in Australia and the US and one more international show soon to be announced; Accountex is now a major fixture in the accounting world.
What makes Manchester stand out is its design and accessibility. Four CPD speaker theatres sit at the corners of the convention centre, so attendees pass through the exhibition floor on the way to any of them. Every stand is democratised, no tech giant dominates with oversized displays, and startups don’t get lost. That creates a genuine level playing field for vendors and a clear path for accountants to plan both the talks they’ll attend and the stands they’ll visit.
Early figures show attendance was up another 10% year-on-year, continuing a growth trend since its launch in Manchester in 2018. This raises a key question: why is attendance rising in a year with no major legislative announcements, and while most firms are only experimenting with basic AI?
The analysis: the old narrative, that accountants attend shows purely for CPD or the latest practice tech, is outdated. The real driver is community. Professionals are collaborating and forming networks at a level we haven’t seen before. To stay competitive, firms must understand what tools exist, how to employ them, and crucially, what clients actually want.
Historically, firms could remain static for generations. Today, while change isn’t as breathless as the marketing suggests, it’s discernible, and the battleground is the client relationship. Accountants have always owned it. Now, software companies are staking a claim, positioning the accountant as the add-on rather than the software platform.
That makes it vital to get closer to clients than ever. Call them. Check in. Understand their needs and ensure those needs are met, whether by your team or a trusted partner you endorse. This is not a time to sit back; it’s a time to be commercial, competitive and valuable.
Here’s the Bullet
At its best, the profession exists to help business owners achieve their professional and personal aspirations. When firms lean into that noble calling, a mutual upward spiral follows:
- Clients value you more
- Clients pay you more
- More clients choose you
That’s why shows like Accountex aren’t just about CPD points or shiny new tech. They’re about reclaiming and strengthening the role that sets accountants apart: trusted advisor, partner and enabler of success.
To your success
Martin Bissett
