Lessons learned in the Lower Don Valley

Article Abstract:

The Sheffield Development Corporation (SDC) was created in 1988 to help redevelop the lower Don River Valley and the east end of Sheffield, England in the hopes of luring industry back into the area. The SDC, to determine the best redevelopment strategy, empowered a group of experts from Sheffield University to determine the level of assistance needed, the firms needing assistance, and the mechanism to obtain it. The experts, surveying firms found that there were complaints including: delays in obtaining assistance; difficulty in applying for financial assistance; and too many conditions connected to assistance. The research lead to two conclusions: firms have investment plans which are likely to qualify for assistance; and two firms need information about available assistance. The recommendation: establishment of an assistance task force to contact firms and give them advice and to help in applying for assistance.

Economic aspects, Economic policy, City planning, Urban planning, Sheffield, England

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Throwing out the training contract

Article Abstract:

The falling numbers of newly-qualified accountants and related difficulties in recruiting make it necessary to review the appropriateness of the contract system. The contract system restricts the number and quality of available chartered accountants because: it requires a three- to four-year contract, to which many students cannot commit; it limits students to experience with one firm; and it does not recognize students' other relevant experience. The contract system should be replaced with a more flexible system allowing students to: work with a number of different companies; take advantage of their other relevant experiences; and write examinations when they are prepared.

Research, Human resource planning, Accountants, Institute of Manpower Studies

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The worth of academic sponsorship

Article Abstract:

UK accounting firms are creating closer links with British universities by sponsoring academic chairs and instituting special student prizes. The immediate benefits sponsorship are name promotion, recruitment, and easy access to research facilities. Sponsors choose institutions based on prior connections, the institution's reputation, and prior familiarity with the academic who will occupy the position. One potential conflicting area is the role of the sponsoring firm as the auditor of the university. The Institute of Chartered Accountants should be more active in acting as a watch dog agency , and at the same time, as a promoter of academic research.

Management, Accounting and auditing, Accounting, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Study and teaching

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