Syllabus area E4 of the SBL study guide requires students to discuss, assess and evaluate the security of IT systems. This podcast explains why these skills are crucial for those seeking to become effective strategic business leaders and demonstrates how they can be applied in practice.

This podcast explores the three "V"s of big data: Velocity, Variety and Volume. It also looks at the processing and analysing of big data, as well as the dangers and risks.

Finance Director Analysis & Control at Hays Specialist Recruitment in London Richard Snowden shares his experiences of managing a team responsible for internal and external reporting, and discusses what skills accountants need in the jobs market right now, the importance of creativity and communication, and how to stay relevant in an ever-changing profession.

Climate change is one of the hottest topics in business right now; at the recent World Economic Forum it was declared that the top five global risks were all linked to the environment. As consumers become more eco-conscious, "sustainability" has become a buzzword, and many companies say they are committed to reducing their "carbon footprint." But is enough being done by the finance world to stem the crisis, and what can accountants specifically do to contribute?

Barbara Davidson is the former head of Investor Engagement at the International Financial Reporting Standards Board and has over 20 years of experience in the accounting and finance sector, as well as an MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation. In this podcast she shares some of her wealth of knowledge and experience on this subject, including a discussion of the Sustainable Development Goals, and what individuals as well as organisations can do to bring about positive change.

In this episode we talk to the UK director of Hays Accountancy and Finance, Karen Young, about the advantages of working with a recruitment agency, the key things to focus on when looking for a job, how to tailor your CV and prepare for interviews, and what makes candidates stand out from the crowd.

Islamic finance rests on the application of Islamic law, or Shariah, whose primary sources are the Qur'an and the sayings and practice of the Prophet Muhammad. Shariah, and very much in the context of Islamic finance, emphasises justice and partnership. The ACCA Financial Management syllabus contains a section on Islamic finance (Section E3). This podcast explores the main tenets of Islamic finance and how it applies in a contemporary business world.

Your ability to constantly evolve your technology skills – your digital quotient – is a pivotal competency that will keep your career, indeed your profession, in the game. This podcast explores the notion of DQ and how it affects the path of the contemporary accountant.

Understanding the business model of an entity is helpful in analysing and communicating the essence of a business and for predicting the implications of a change in circumstance on a business. Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) candidates should use this technique to improve their answers to SBR questions and this podcast should help them to do this.

The Strategic Business Leader exam mirrors the workplace, providing opportunities to demonstrate a blend of technical, practical and professional skills. In this episode we speak to SBL prizewinner Aminat Kamaru, senior associate risk assurance professional at PwC Nigeria, about how she tackled studying for this exam, what inspired her and what were the key factors in enabling her success.

The perception of stress and the ability to manage it vary from person to person, but there are techniques for coping with whatever comes your way. In this podcast we explore some of the more effective - and ineffective - ways of tackling stress.