Leaders special interview - Rob Brown talks to Stephen Heathcote CEO of Prime Global on what accounting firm leadership looks like in challenging times - Accounting Influencers Podcast

Episode 58

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Published on:

24th Nov 2021

Leaders Special Interview: Stephen Heathcote CEO of Prime Global (Highlights)

Episode 58. On today's show,  a Leaders Special Interview with Stephen Heathcote, CEO of Prime Global, who talks to Rob about what accountancy leadership looks like in challenging times and where the opportunities lie for accounting firms.

Stephen Heathcote joined PrimeGlobal in 2019 as Chief Executive Officer. He has extensive global experience of leading change across the accountancy profession. In 2020, PrimeGlobal was awarded association of the year at the International Accounting Bulletin Digital Accountancy Awards. The judges noted “The competition was strong, and the judges selected PrimeGlobal for its exceptional year under new leadership, restructuring its global governance and delivering strong growth of over 10 per cent.’’

His leadership background in the accounting profession includes undertaking the COO role at the UK Financial Reporting Council (introducing a new regulatory impact assessment during the global financial crisis), a senior management position at KPMG (leading the global change to the firms methodology) and over ten years as a key member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) executive team (leading global markets and overseeing all operations).

Key takeaways from the full uncut interview include:

⍟ What makes Prime Global the most diverse accounting association in the world

⍟ How a background in politics helps a leader understand the egos, motivations and goals of their people

⍟ The key differences between accounting associations, networks and alliances

⍟ The importance of accounting firms belonging to a community in these challenging, uncertain times

⍟ What has prompted more and deeper engagement across member firms in an accounting association or network in challenging times

⍟ The biggest surprise or discovery when stepping into a chief executive or senior board role

⍟ The analogy between CEO roles and football managers/coaches in seeing how different people have different personalities and needs

⍟ What kind of things a global CEO of an accounting association is proud of amongst many achievements

⍟ What putting an emphasis on team instead of self means for a leader at any level

⍟ The role of culture and corporate brand for CEOs in leaving a legacy or building a reputation

⍟ Examples of failures that define leaders and CEOs, and what can be learned from specific ones

⍟ The different ways leaders can respond to critical feedback, failure or negative press

⍟ What kind of people speak into the lives of accounting leaders and CEOs - shout out to Helen Brand of ACCA and her best advice

⍟ What happens when becoming a more senior leader takes you away from what you might love doing the most

⍟ The major things that frustrate a global CEO in the accounting profession, and how Covid might just change this

⍟ How a pandemic has forced accountants and accountancy firms to change and be more adaptable

⍟ The kind of things a global CEO loves most about their job

⍟ What leaders must do to get more done, make more impact and serve the world better (clue - it's not about ego and self)

⍟ The importance of being more innovative, entrepreneurial and collaborative as a leader or CEO

⍟ Shout out to Traction by Gino Wickman in running a successful business and taking it to the next level

⍟ Examples of bad doctrine or advice put out by some leaders and personalities that damages the reputation of the accountancy profession

⍟ Tips for bringing through the next generation of leaders in any company or organisation

⍟ Words of wisdom to potential leaders and rising stars who aspire to senior roles in their firm or organisation

Stephen Heathcote on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-heathcote-b327573a/

NOTE TO LISTENERS:

This is a condensed highlights version of the full interview (usually 20-30 mins long), which you can catch as a bonus UNCUT episode at the weekend.

Martin and Rob love to hear from the show's 7000+ listeners in 144 countries around the world. If you like the show, leave a review wherever you listen, and please recommend the show to your friends and colleagues.

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About the Podcast

Accounting Influencers Podcast
Host Rob Brown shows accounting professionals and leaders how to be more influential, grow their personal brand and be more authoritative, relevant and high profile in their roles..
The Accounting Influencers Podcast, hosted by Rob Brown, is a must-listen for accounting professionals looking to strengthen their leadership presence, stay informed on disruptive forces in accounting and build credibility within their firms. Geared toward firm leaders, managers, partners and influencers, the show covers key topics like career development, influence, personal branding and interpreting the evolving trends impacting the accounting world. Rob brings his expertise to each episode, offering insights and guidance on how to grow your personal brand and stay strategically important in a rapidly changing profession. Whether you're aiming to influence within your firm or expand your reputation outside of it, this international podcast offers practical advice and forward-thinking insights that will keep you informed and prepared for the future.
Accounting leadership
Executive presence for accountants
Building influence in accounting
Accounting industry trends
Personal branding for accountants
Accounting firm strategy
Accounting business models
Leadership in accounting firms
Talent management in accounting
Authority in accounting profession
Career development for accountants
Accounting firm growth strategies
Influencers in accounting
Accounting firm management
Disruptive forces in accounting
Accounting leadership strategies
Accounting career success
Accounting firm decision-makers
Accounting business trends
Building credibility in accounting

About your host

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Rob Brown

Rob Brown hosts the multiple accounting podcast and chair conferences, panels and events globally for the accounting and fintech profession. He is co-founder of Accounting Influencers Roundtable (AIR) which helps vendors, experts and influencers serve the accounting and finance world. He is a dynamic speaker and accomplished expert on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, career development, succession, gen z/generations, employee advocacy and executive presence. Rob is author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk ‘The Personal Brand of You’ has been viewed 400,000 times on YouTube. He is a stroke survivor, has epilepsy, is a committed Christian and has a black belt in kickboxing. He is based in Nottingham UK, home of Robin Hood, plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.