the FACT podcast (UK edition)

Are you debating a £100,000 MBA to secure your path to the C-suite? In 2026, that traditional "golden ticket" might be an overpriced relic. In this episode of the FACT Podcast, we break down the cold, hard ROI of executive education. With the hiring market violently shifting from "well-rounded" generalists to "technically elite" specialists, we explore why stacking microcredentials is the fastest...

The 2026 budget season is upon us, and finance leaders are facing a critical crossroads: Do you spend your L&D budget teaching your team to write Python, or teaching them to manage Agentic AI? For a decade, Python was the golden ticket out of "Excel Hell." But the rise of autonomous AI agents has completely shifted the ROI of upskilling. We are no longer just choosing between software platform...

Are you staying up late studying for your next set of exams, wondering if getting Chartered is really the secret to landing that Finance Director role? You aren't alone. For decades, the UK finance industry has promised that putting in the hours and getting the right letters after your name guarantees career progression. But is it true? In this episode of the FACT Podcast, we bust the "Certificati...

Think your IT department has your company's cybersecurity covered? Think again. In 2026, the most sophisticated hackers aren't trying to crack your firewalls, they are targeting the people with the keys to the treasury. They are targeting you . In this episode of the FACT Podcast, we explore why finance professionals have become the absolute primary target for cybercriminals and how you can defend...

In this episode, we cover: The "It Wasn’t Me" Defence: How immutable ERP logs protect you from taking the fall for someone else's mistake. Excel 365 Secrets: How to use the "Show Changes" feature to instantly find and reverse formula breaks in shared documents. The Danger of "Ghost Users": Why letting a colleague "just use your login for a minute" is a massive UK SOX compliance disaster. The Power...

It’s the final episode of 2025. As you wrap up your year-end close and prepare for the holidays, you might be asking: “Is this it? Am I ready for another 12 months of the same routine?” If you’ve been watching the rise of digital assets and wondering how an accountant breaks into the industry without learning to code—this episode is your answer. In this festive special, we map out exactly how to p...

Are you sending out CVs for finance roles you're perfect for, only to hear... silence? The problem isn't your experience; it's the algorithm. Over 90% of large companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that filter your application before a human ever sees it. In this episode, we break down exactly why traditional F&A CVs fail and give you the framework to beat the bots. We cover: How to s...

Burnout isn't just an HR buzzword - it's a critical, unrecorded liability draining your profits. In this episode of The FACT Podcast, we move the conversation from the wellness workshop to the balance sheet, revealing how the high-pressure culture in finance directly impacts your company's financial health. Discover the true cost of attrition and lost productivity, and learn actionable strategies...

Making strategic decisions based on last quarter's data is like driving a race car while looking in the rear-view mirror. In today's volatile economy, it’s a risk finance leaders can no longer afford. In this episode of The FACT Podcast – UK Edition, we tackle the big question: Is your financial strategy still relying on the outdated metric of GDP? We'll explore why this traditional indicator ofte...

From fraud detection to personalised lending, AI is reshaping the world of banking as we know it. It's no longer just a futuristic concept. In this episode of The FACT Podcast – UK Edition, we tackle the big question: Is the banking workforce truly ready for this AI-powered future? We'll explore how AI is transforming roles across financial services and creating a new set of demands for profession...

From automated reconciliations to real-time fraud detection — AI is no longer just a futuristic buzzword. It's reshaping finance and accounting as we speak. In this episode of The FACT Podcast – UK Edition, we explore how artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming roles across financial services, corporate finance, and public practice. You'll learn how AI is helping professional...

AI is no longer a buzzword — it’s at the core of modern banking. But while the technology evolves at lightning speed, is the workforce evolving with it? In this episode, we unpack: How banks like NatWest, JP Morgan, and Citi are already deploying AI Why McKinsey estimates $340B in value from AI across global banking The roles at risk — and the new ones emerging Four essential skills to thrive in a...

In this episode of the FACT podcast, we dive into the pivotal finance and accounting trends shaping the UK in 2025. Based on Randstad's expert analysis, discover how the finance and accounting sectors are evolving, pushing beyond traditional roles to embrace advisory, data analytics, and ESG. We'll explore: The impact of automation and AI on daily tasks. New skills crucial for your finance career....