We are only two weeks away from the Festival of Accounting & Bookkeeping (FAB) 2025, taking place on 12-13 March at the NEC Birmingham. Our Sift team has been working hard to create an event filled with new ideas, practical talks, and friendly networking. Here is a look at what we have planned and why we are so excited to bring it all together.
A quick look at what is new
We have been listening to feedback, considering speaker requests, and adjusting the programme to include more real-life examples and discussions. Recent additions include:
- “Redefining the bookkeeper” – a talk on how bookkeepers move beyond back-office tasks and become trusted advisers.
- “Feel the fear and do it anyway: from employment to entrepreneurship” – a panel on leaving a stable job to start a new practice, hosted by professionals who have made that switch.
- “The MTD panel” – featuring speakers from HMRC and other industry experts, focusing on strategies for managing digital tax requirements.
- “Today’s top cyber risks” – a session on protecting finance data from potential threats, led by experts who follow the latest issues in finance and IT.
Support for all roles
FAB 2025 brings something for everyone, including mid-tier firms, finance leaders in large organisations, small practice owners, and bookkeepers. We want you to be able to customise your experience, whether you prefer tech-focused sessions, in-depth looks at VAT or advisory work, or bookkeeper-specific talks at the Bookkeepers’ Retreat stage. We will also have networking opportunities and interactive panels that help you chat with like-minded peers and discover new approaches.
Why Sift is involved
At Sift, our aim is to provide digital and event services that help professionals connect and learn. AccountingWEB, one of our key brands, has close ties to the accounting community, so FAB is the next step in bringing practical training, live demonstrations, and face-to-face learning to those who want to move forward in finance. We believe in sharing knowledge and encouraging open discussion.
What to expect on the day
When you arrive, our registration team will guide you. If you have signed up for meetings, you can visit the 1-2-1 stands or use the FAB app to find your appointments. We have multiple sessions running at once, so you can choose which ones fit your interests. The exhibitor area will host tech providers who can show their latest tools for automation, compliance, and practice management. If you need a quiet moment, our breakout areas are there to help you recharge.
Practical knowledge at the heart
Our focus is on talks that offer clear takeaways. Speakers will give examples drawn from real experience, and workshops will show you methods you can apply straight away. Interested in growing a firm? You can explore marketing, M&A, or hiring sessions. Want to save time? Look for discussions on automation, data security, or newer software. We also feature panels that cover VAT, tax legislation, and Making Tax Digital changes, to help you make confident decisions no matter the size or type of your practice.
Our commitment to quality
We appreciate the speakers who have dedicated time to share their insights, and the exhibitors who have helped shape the event. We have structured the day so you can talk informally with speakers after their sessions or ask suppliers about how they tailor solutions to your needs. Everyone on the Sift team is doing their best to keep the atmosphere open, so you can get meaningful answers to your questions.
See you in two weeks
We look forward to welcoming you to FAB 2025. Book your free ticket, come along to the NEC in Birmingham, and see the latest developments in finance and accounting. We hope you will leave with new ideas, supportive contacts, and a positive outlook on what comes next.