IN THIS ISSUE A note from the Editor

Where else can you read six pages of ACCA June exam tips, what big data is all about, and the best way to tackle questions on foreign currency hedging? Yes, your latest PQ magazine is here!

We also pick out the bones of GAAPweb’s salary survey, look at how the public sector can save the planet, and ask if the Big 4 can ever solve their ‘conflicts of interest’.

I think it is fair to say we managed to celebrate of 20th PQ magazine awards in style at Proud Embankment recently! Among the top guests were AAT CEO Sarah Beale and President Christina Earls. Our new PQ of the Year is the wonderful Evie Todd, who is studying towards the ACCA qualification, and our Accountancy Body of the Year award went to CIPFA. You can see who picked up this year’s coveted trophies in our short winners video at https:// tinyurl.com/59jntb3c.

Don’t forget we have another fantastic seminar coming up with Queen Mary University of London on Wednesday 7 June. This time we are looking at: ‘The Future is Net Zero – can accountants help to save the planet?’ You can sign up on Eventbrite – go to https:// tinyurl.com/n6mkesf4

Among the speakers so far signed up are ICAEW’s Sarah Reay, David Rothera, Climate Change Project Manager at NetZero Now, and AAT’s Adam Williamson.

Graham Hambly, Editor and Publisher, PQ magazine

12 Tech news

Microsoft’s thwarted in proposed purchase of Activision Features, etc

14 Have your say ACCA’s July launch date for new initiative is confusing; talent crunch is helping PQs; and what’s happening at Oxford Brookes? Plus our social media round-up

17 Awards 2023 in pictures

Three pages focusing on all the action at the PQ Awards, with photos of all the winners

20 CIMA spotlight

How to make online learning work for you

23 What is big data?

Karen Groves outlines the uses, values and limitations of big data

25 Remote learning

Why online training offers a more student-focused experience

26 ACCA spotlight

Got ACCA study worries? Well don’t worry, be appy!

27 EY’s audit U-turn

Can the Big 4 ever really sort out their ‘conflicts of interest’?

28 A question for Tom

Top tutor Tom Clendon explains the concept of fair value measurement

29 June ACCA exam tips

Six pages of top tips start here!

35 Beat the hackers

Can you defeat a ransomware attack? Security expert David Fleming can help you find out

36 Hedge your bets

Sunil Bhandari explains how to best tackle questions of foreign currency hedging

39 TARA explained

Teresa Clarke explains how TARA can help you understand and manage risks when making business decisions p22

40 Sustainability

The public sector has huge role to play in saving the planet

42 The state of pay

We run the rule over the latest GAAPweb 2023 salary survey

43 Careers

Women at work increasing struggling with menopause and mental health; tackling your career issues; and our Book Club review

44 Fun

The lighter side of life – and accountancy

The columnists

Lisa Nelson It might seem obvious, but telling is not teaching 4

Robert Bruce Does anyone in government care about business? 6 something with it. This might be as simple as answering a question or thinking back on what was said last week; either way it takes effort (by the student) and that’s when the learning really happens.