Predicting our financial future

There’s no denying it: 2009 has been a difficult year for finance and accounting professionals.

This year, we’ve watched the banking crisis unfold on a global scale. Nowhere has remained immune; even Dubai has had to curb the spending of its monopoly money. But as countries including Germany, France, China and even the US start to show strong signs of recovery, it’s only natural for us to wonder: is it the UK’s turn next?

Another common theme this year has been the UK’s changeable financial forecast. We’ve heard varying stories about the state of business, employment and housing markets and whether or not we’re bouncing back to economic health or plummeting further into debt.

On a local level, CFOs everywhere are making predictions for what 2010 holds for their company. If anything, I think this year has taught us to expect the unexpected. I’d hazard a guess that the term ‘cautious optimism’ is flying around boardrooms everywhere.

Most of us are putting our faith in the latest industry news, with positive predictions for both accountancy graduates and Financial Directors.

As a very wise man once said (and I’ll take the liberty to paraphrase), it’s probably not the beginning of the end of the UK’s financial rollercoaster ride, merely the end of the beginning. At least we’re all better prepared for what next year will bring.

January is a great opportunity to start afresh and bring your ideas to a new role. From all of us here at GAAPweb, we’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.