Kaplan‘s Learn Better Podcast

In this episode, Caron and Lee are joined by Chiraag Swaly, Head of Data and Technology Curriculum at Kaplan.  We explore how data is transforming the finance world, and what it means to be a data-driven accountant. We dive into the essential skills you need to succeed and discuss the critical role of ethics when handling sensitive information.  Discover how to leverage data to provide deeper insights, make smarter decisions, and add more value than ever before. If you're looking to future-proof your career and stay ahead of the curve, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 

Meet our new hosts: Caron Betts (Learning Technologies Manager) and Lee Rowlandson (Content Specialist and seasoned tutor).  Together, they speak about their fascinating career paths, from Lee’s dreams of being a radio DJ to Caron’s passion for making complex topics accessible. They preview upcoming discussions on topics such as AI, diversity in finance, and the unique challenges women face in the industry.  Whether you're studying for professional qualifications or advancing your career, this episode sets the stage for conversations designed to help you seize opportunities and truly understand what you're learning.

This bonus episode of our Learn Better Podcast features Kaplan’s very own, Zoë Lister.  Zoë has worked at Kaplan for 17 years and worked her way up throughout her career to become the curriculum manager for our ICAEW courses. As part of her role, she focuses on the skills and behaviours our learners can gain throughout their studies.  However, since hitting a ‘bump in the road,’ and finding out she has breast cancer, Zoë has used her personal experiences to provide techniques and advice on how to recover from your own hurdles - no matter what they are.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host and Head of Learning at Kaplan, Stuart Pedley Smith, talks all about Making Tax Digital.  Our guest is the director of Making Tax Digital for HMRC, Craig Ogilvie. His experience and passion for this initiative puts Craig in a perfect position to explain what Making Tax Digital is, and why it’s so important.   

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host and Head of Learning at Kaplan, Stuart Pedley Smith, talks about managing a diverse workforce. Our guest is Rob Brown, who is the co-founder of Accounting Influencers Roundtable, and the host of Accounting Influencers Podcast. Because of this experience, he is extremely knowledgeable about the accounting industry as a whole, as well as talent management, diversity, different generations, and remote working.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host and Head of Learning at Kaplan, Stuart Pedley Smith, talks all about outsourcing and offshoring accountancy services. Our guest is Arun Mehra, the founder and CEO of Samera - a Surrey-based accountancy practice. Arun started his practice 25 years ago with just one client, and now talks about why offshoring is something to consider.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host and Head of Learning at Kaplan, Stuart Pedley Smith, talks all about using social media to advance you business.  Our guest is Samantha Mitcham, who built her own accountancy practice from nothing, with a very intentional social media strategy. She now has around 19,000 LinkedIn connections - significantly more than the average.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, takes a peak into the hidden world of money laundering and financial crime. Our guest is Joe Fisher, who at the time of the recording worked as the Head of Compliance and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) at Raisin UK.    

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, explores the benefits of learning and teaching online. Our guest is Dr. Cristi Ford: The Vice President of Academic Affairs at D2L - a Canadian education company that developed the Brightspace Learning Management System. 

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, discovers the importance of data and valuable information within the field of accounting. Our guest is Ian Pay, who is the Head of Data and Technology at ICAEW. He explains the evolving role of data and technology in the accounting and finance sectors, as well as how the innovation of technology practices is shaping the relationship between data and accounting.