Future Ready Academy – Building Future-Ready Accountants and a Culture of Confidence in an AI-Driven World (afternoon session)

AI and automation are reshaping the pace of work; that is a given. In our recent focus group, what stood out was the challenges the profession faces in how we prepare our people to adapt with confidence. Future-ready accounting skills are essential, but it’s not enough to hire talent. Growing capability from within, backing our leaders to lead visibly, and creating a culture that can hold the weight of change will be the differentiator.

Join us for the afternoon session only of this full-day online workshop: Building Future-Ready Accountants and a Culture of Confidence in an AI-Driven World. Designed for senior accounting partners and leaders, this workshop delivers strategic insights and practical tools to lead confidently through rapid change.

AI in Action – Navigating Ethics, Policy, and Practical Innovation in the Accounting Profession: Unpack AI’s real-world impact—from implementation to ethical leadership—while building frameworks to lead through change.
Presented by Nick Beaugeard, Released Group

• Overview of AI for accounting sector 2026 AI isn’t a buzzword anymore—it’s the new baseline. Future-ready accountants will need to be as skilled in AI as they currently are in Excel. This session gives you a no-nonsense rundown of how AI is shaping the accounting sector in 2026. We’ll unpack what’s real, what’s useful, and what’s still smoke and mirrors. From automated compliance and advisory tools to AI-powered audit and fraud detection, you'll see where the tech is making a difference. Whether you’re a partner, manager, or just trying to keep up, this webinar will help you understand how to harness AI to improve efficiency, add value for clients, and stay competitive.
• Accuracy, Ethics and AI AI makes decisions fast—but is it right, fair, or even legal? This session tackles the sharp edge of AI in accounting: the tension between accuracy, ethics, and automation. We’ll explore how AI tools can go off the rails, the risks of relying on biassed or unverified models, and where accountability lands when things go wrong. More importantly, we’ll give you clear steps to evaluate tools before you adopt them and implement safeguards to protect your firm and your clients. This is about using AI with integrity—not just efficiency. We call it human in the loop and there is more scope for accounting professionals to shine in this new environment than ever!
• Developing an AI Policy for your firm If your team is using AI—even just a little—you needed a policy yesterday. This practical session walks you through how to write and implement an AI policy that actually works for your accounting firm. We’ll cover what to include, how to balance innovation with control, and how to manage risks around data privacy, IP, and client confidentiality. You’ll leave with a draft framework you can customise for your firm and advice on how to get your team on board. No fluff—just actionable guidance.

Attendees will be provided with: 

• Access to attend the live session 
• Opportunities to ask questions
• CPD Certificate 
• Access to the Recording
• PowerPoint Presentation and searchable transcript
• The latest Wolters Kluwer APAC 2025-26 Future Ready Accountant Report 

Please note: These workshops are not covered under a CCH Learning subscription.

Links to the sessions will be sent the week prior to the workshop.

Group Discounts available:
2+ attendees from the same firm, 20% discount, please type the promo code FRA20
4+ attendees from the same firm, 30% discount, please type the promo code FRA30

Contact NZ-learning@wolterskluwer.com for more details

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Gain the insights and strategies needed to lead with confidence and ensure your firm remains competitive and future-ready.

• Understand the role of AI in accounting and its influence on the profession.
• Foster ethical considerations and compliance in AI usage.
• Be ready to deliver a robust firm-wide AI policy now and take advantage of the benefits as the arrive to market.

SUITED TO

• Senior Accounting Partners and Leaders
• C-Suite Executives
• Department Heads and Managers
• HR and Talent Development Professionals
• Technology and Innovation Officers
• Compliance and Risk Officers

PRESENTER

Nick Beaugeard, Managing Director, Released Group
Nick Beaugeard is a seasoned technologist, entrepreneur, and AI strategist with over three decades of experience in transforming how businesses work. With a background spanning managed services, government, and enterprise IT, Nick is known for his practical approach to automation and business process design. He regularly speaks at conferences and delivers hands-on workshops that demystify AI for professionals in accounting, legal, and other sectors.