PQ Magazine

08/10/2025

AI errors ‘star’ in Deloitte report
Deloitte Australia has agreed to issue a partial refund to the federal government after admitting that AI had been used to create a $440,000 report littered with errors, reports Financial Review.
The report in question included three non-existent academic references, and a made-up quote from a Federal Court Judgement.
It was University of Sydney’s Dr Christopher Rudge (pictured) who highlighted the multiple errors in the document produced for the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).
Rudge has suggested that any recommendations of the report can no longer be trusted as core analysis was done by AI.
He said: “You cannot trust the recommendations when the very foundation of the report is built on a flawed, originally undisclosed, and non-expert methodology.”
Deloitte has now supplied a replacement report and acknowledged the original was written with the assistance of Microsoft’s Azure software.
PQ magazine - always first with the news! We aim to inspire, connect and entertain, so sign up for your free subscription to the magazine at

As well as our magazine, we provide content through videos, featuring some of the leading figures from the world of accountancy.

06/10/2025

AI is going to change your world – are you ready?
It really is time to unlock the power of AI, and to this end we are running a free live online roundtable event with Rogo, on Wednesday 8 October at 4pm (GMT).
We have pulled together a top panel to delve into this hot topic, and all you need to do to join us is go to Eventbrite to sign up: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/accountants-time-to-unlock-the-power-of-ai-tickets-1571101840899?utm
Experts like Stuart Pedley-Smith, and Sean Robertson from ICAS, will be looking at when it is a good time for accountants to use AI, and when it is not!
We will discuss what it means for the future of assessment with Eintech’s Anna Kate Phelan, and more importantly what new skills will you need in the future, and what skills will become redundant!
IFA’s Kyle Baker-Kemp is the final member of the panel, and along with his fellow experts he will look at how AI is affecting the world of work and the issue of ethics and risk.
It is going to be a fascinating discussion, and come and join us!
Big thanks as always to our sponsors ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS, IFA, and Reed Learning

PQ magazine and Rogo have joined forces again to host an online roundtable on how AI is going to affect every facet of your life!

03/10/2025

Do the ACCA exams make you cry?
ACCA’s September SBR exam left some students in tears this session. It was also described as ‘torture’ by one sitter, and the worse exam they had even done by another!
A PQ admitted: “I cried when I got home because after all the months of hard work, I did not expect to see what I saw. But I am still hoping for the best.”
One sitter who was on their fifth SBR attempt (they got 49% last time), said they have never faced anything like it before: “All the questions were extremely difficult, and the exam felt very unbalanced. Each new question seemed even worse than the one before – it was a complete nightmare.”
There appear to be problems with logging on to some remote exams, and PQ magazine has heard of lots of individuals struggling to sit the exam.
While some students go a sitting the following week many will now have to wait until December to try again!
There seem to have been problems with PM, APM, ATX and AFM. Do tell if you had a problem too. Email [email protected].
Check out the feedback from all the papers in the October issue of the magazine, out now: https://issuu.com/pqpublishing/docs/pq_magazine_october_2025
PQ magazine - always first with the news! We aim to inspire, connect and entertain, so sign up for your free subscription to the magazine at www.pqmagazine.com

03/10/2025

CIMA and me, ADHD and FLP
Read the wonderful success story of Mandy Ross who recently qualified with CIMA in the latest magazine, out now: https://issuu.com/pqpublishing/docs/pq_magazine_october_2025
She accidentally fell into finance, like many do, and admits at times she found the whole exam process overwhelming. Balancing study with working full time is tough, so if you throw in neurodivergence it all becomes that bit more difficult. However, by opting for the FLP route Mandy changed the narrative and the proof is where she is today!
Read Mandy’s story on page 35 of the October issue. We aim to inspire, connect and entertain, so sign up for your free subscription to the magazine at www.pqmagazine.com

02/10/2025

Sustainability will be key part of AAT’s new qualification
AAT is embedding sustainability throughout its new qualification, preparing the next generation of finance professionals to lead in this space, says AAT’s Clare Dye.
In her latest piece for PQ magazine she stressed student will engage with real-world case studies, showcasing businesses that have successfully integrated their sustainability policies.
But AAT hasn’t forgotten about the challenges too! Barriers and benefits will be considered so students can develop both a practical and balanced perspective.
Check out in the October issue of PQ magazine what will happened in the different levels (on page 20): https://issuu.com/pqpublishing/docs/pq_magazine_october_2025
PQ magazine - always first with the news! We aim to inspire, connect and entertain, so sign up for your free subscription to the magazine at www.pqmagazine.com

02/10/2025

Deloitte UK FY25 revenue down
Deloitte UK has reported revenue for year ended 31 May 2025 down 1% at £5.68bn, with what it says was “differing performance across the business”.
This is the first fall in revenue for Deloitte in 15 years, with the 10% drop from technology and transformation business the main culprit!
That said partner pay went up! Read our full story at www.pqmagazine.com
PQ magazine - always first with the news! We aim to inspire, connect and entertain, so sign up for your free subscription to the magazine while you are there.

01/10/2025

Unique AAT degree apprenticeship will ‘turbocharge’ careers!
The University of Exeter’s Accounting Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship programme has welcomed its first cohort of students (pictured).
Delivered by the university and AAT, the programme is unique in offering both academic and professional accounting and finance qualifications.
Apprentices work towards the AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting in the first year of the programme, making them immediately ready for a range of finance and accounting roles.
After three years the apprentices receive a BSc in Applied Finance from Exeter, and completion of the programme provides maximum exam exemptions when progressing to complete full chartered accountancy qualifications.
Apprentices work in full-time jobs while they study, so by the time they complete all their formal qualifications they also have three years’ work experience under their belts.
Rachael Johnstone, Dean of Professional Education and Partnerships at the University of Exeter, said: “We are proud to be building an inclusive route into accounting and finance that equips apprentices to thrive from the start thanks to our special partnership with AAT.”
Read all the news first at www.pqmagazine.com

30/09/2025

More ACCA students caught taking pictures of exam papers
PQ magazine recently covered the ACCA disciplinary case of Melbourne-based PQ Naveed Hussain, who was removed from the student register and fined £7,000 in costs for taking pictures of his exam and then sharing them.
Well, Hussain is not alone, and over the last few months five other students have been caught taking pictures of their ACCA exam papers!
Read the full story in the latest PQ magazine (See page 10): https://issuu.com/pqpublishing/docs/pq_magazine_october_2025
PQ magazine - always first with the news! We aim to inspire, connect and entertain, so sign up for your free subscription to the monthly magazine at www.pqmagazine.com

30/09/2025

Learning to ‘learn fast’
Top tutor Liliya Kirylenka says it is time to strip out the noise, so you can double what you are learning!
You may need to take those dirty mugs off the ‘to-do’ list, but what she really wants you to do is the five-finger reset.
Read the first of her two articles in the latest PQmagazine (See page 27): https://issuu.com/pqpublishing/docs/pq_magazine_october_2025
PQ magazine - always first with the news! We aim to inspire, connect and entertain, so sign up for your free subscription to the monthly magazine at www.pqmagazine.com

26/09/2025

Making the most of past papers
Some CIMA PQs are worried that when they use past papers to practice their exam technique their answers never look the same as the official solution!
CIMA’s Nasheen Wuisman, in her new series in PQ magazine, sets about answering this dilemma. Check out what she has to say on page 26: https://issuu.com/pqpublishing/docs/pq_magazine_october_2025
She stresses you can’t assume that if your answer looks different from the model answer it won’t score well!
Wuisman says you must remember past papers are a powerful tool to help sharpen your exam skills and confidence.
In each month’s PQ magazine Wuisman will be tackling you questions about CGMA exam prep. If you have a dilemma then send it in!
PQ magazine - always first with the news! We aim to inspire, connect and entertain, so sign up for your free subscription to the monthly magazine at www.pqmagazine.com

25/09/2025

Accountancy needs to go truly global
International career mobility is the key to attracting the next generation of professional accountants, says Madeleine Knopf (pictured).
Writing for the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) she explained international mobility is no longer just a benefit of professional accountancy – it’s a strategic recruitment tool.
She said: “For professional accountancy organisations navigating talent shortages and evolving workforce expectations, promoting the profession as a global passport to opportunity may be one of the most effective ways to attract, inspire, and retain the next generation of accounting leaders.”
Read more of what Knopf says accountancy bodies need to do to make the profession more attractive on the cover of this month’s PQ magazine: https://issuu.com/pqpublishing/docs/pq_magazine_october_2025
PQ magazine - always first with the news! We aim to inspire, connect and entertain, so sign up for your free subscription to the monthly magazine at www.pqmagazine.com

25/09/2025

Accounting for digital assets
How do you pay for a pint of milk with a currency that changes every minute!
Well, CASSL chair Sophie Armstrong suggests that his is why digital currencies are not ready to replace the money in your wallet just yet.
If you wan to read more about the challenges for accountants and auditors then take a look at page 22 in the latest issue: https://issuu.com/pqpublishing/docs/pq_magazine_october_2025
PQ magazine - always first with the news! We aim to inspire, connect and entertain, so sign up for your free subscription to the monthly magazine at www.pqmagazine.com