Alan Finch

Alexander rules OK?

Plans by the chief secretary to the Treasury to introduce new contingency requirements across Whitehall risk creating unhealthy competition and introducing a blame culture Read more

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The answer is ‘yes’. What was the question?

Finance managers must be aware of the dangers of self-justification and pre-determination in decision-making. Fortunately, there are tools and techniques to help arrive at more objective outcomes Read more

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Take your partners

Many accountants want to get out from behind their spreadsheets and add more value. A good way to do this is through the use of business partners in the finance function Read more

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In praise of creative accounting

Creativity is a bit of a dirty word in financial circles, but it does have a role to play especially in the current environment where novel solutions are to be welcomed Read more

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In the money?

It seems that money is used more and more as a way of keeping score, of comparing income, wealth or influence. Perhaps accountants should bear this in mind when presenting financial information to decision makers Read more

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All in the game

The provision of public services is very much like a complex game of ‘Prisoner’s Dilemma’, with the government aiming to establish an ‘altruistic equilibrium’ Read more

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Financial futures

Why do senior finance managers frequently struggle to make the step up to director level? Perhaps we should be doing more to develop financial leadership skills Read more

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Gut instinct vs Gaap

It’s increasingly obvious that humans are emotional and irrational. So what does this mean for the hyper-rational, super-logical world of public sector financial management? Read more

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Why finance needs to be in the cockpit, by Alan Finch

This is not the time for a fallout in the accountancy profession. The current financial climate requires everyone to work together to fly through the economic turbulence and ensure a safe landing Read more...

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