“We’re talking to more members than ever”

Looking back over recent years I can see that my membership of the Institute of Financial Accountants has taken me on quite a journey.

I am now an IFA board director and chair of the Members Advisory Committee (MAC), roles of which I am immensely proud. However, there’s another part I play that illustrates the openness of communication developing between members and the institute itself.

As a member, and owner of accountancy practice Devonports, I was asked to start up the Essex branch of the institute, which meant that I then became part of the Members Advisory Committee (MAC) – of which I am now chair. It’s the committee I want to talk about, as I believe it plays a really important part in linking the membership to the IFA’s direction. The MAC is mainly made up of the regional branch ambassadors who are themselves members.

The committee is there to provide support and guidance to the IFA CEO, board and staff for strategic purposes. In other words, to make sure there is a member voice in the decisions that are made.

When we talk about member ‘engagement’ I think it naturally conjures up an image of presentations and networking at physical events, but that hasn’t happened over this past year, with Covid-19 making us go online to communicate, but the eff orts of both the IFA and members to make the most of this difficult time can be seen as a huge positive: we are reaching and talking to more members than ever before.

As an IFA director I can also take our voice direct to the board, and it is vital for members to understand that it is our institute. The IFA has come a long way since its amalgamation and becoming a part of the IPA Group, and our joint aim and goal is the support of our members, who in turn are supporting the micro, small and medium-sized businesses around the world.

My continued roles as a member, branch ambassador and chair of the MAC are, I believe, important as they provide member representation all the way through the IFA; we need a voice for the resources you need – your opinion counts. T

he more input members have, the better; whether it’s responding to government consultations or volunteering to be part of your branch’s activities – even if it’s just supplying your thoughts or ideas. In my own branch, Essex, I feel that members believe they can make a difference and will be heard – even in what can feel a lonely world.

There is also a wellbeing and mental health aspect to this particular issue, so my wish is to broaden out the communication theme to beyond influencing the IFA: we are here as a family to support each other. Some branches have message groups so please use them. Businesses and people need us to help them; the institute needs your proactive ideas and feedback; and we can also help ourselves and each other.

Let’s keep communicating.

Ian Hornsey is an IFA board director, chair of the Members Advisory Committee, branch ambassador for Essex and MD of Devonports. He can be contacted at: ianh@ifa.org.uk