IFA Regional Ambassador Mujibur Rahman on embracing the future of accounting

As the owner of RSA Accountants and a prominent figure in the Midlands business community, Mujibur Rahman has built a career that extends beyond number crunching to encompass comprehensive client service and agile professional development.

Rahman’s role as Midlands Ambassador for the IFA and long-time participation in the IFA’s Member Advisory Committee have allowed him to advocate for the profession and actively contribute to shaping the educational and ethical landscape of accounting.

More than numbers

Rahman’s professional journey was sparked by an influential summer stint at his uncle’s accountancy firm in London.

“I saw the respect this profession holds and how accountancy was much more than just numbers,” he says. “I knew then that this was the career I wanted to pursue.”

Rahman founded RSA Accountants in 2014 with a vision of creating a practice that could adapt to the evolving needs of its clients.

“Over the years, the growth has been organic, with a focus on customer service,” he says.

Noting a shift in client demand from traditional statutory work to more consultative roles, the practice has adapted its offerings accordingly, with a constant focus on the evolving needs and pain points of its client base.

For instance, Rahman recalls that the implementation of modern systems like Real Time Information (RTI) and Making Tax Digital (MTD) posed hurdles for many of his clients. However, the potential of these systems was too great to ignore.

“Trying to get clients on board has been a challenge. Many clients who are used to manual bookkeeping or filing paper returns found this change difficult,” he says.

“We overcame this challenge by adapting a proactive approach, talking to our clients early and providing advice and support, to enable a smooth transition.”

Looking ahead, Rahman is not one to rest on his laurels. He aims to expand his business reach internationally, with particular interest in establishing a presence in Dubai, where he hopes to relocate in the future.

Shaping the future of the profession

As the Midlands’s Regional Ambassador for the IFA, Rahman has had numerous opportunities to influence and lead within the accounting community, both locally and nationally.

His contributions include speaking at Accountex, Europe’s largest accounting and finance event, on the transition from business to practice in the accounting profession.

“I clearly remember the hundreds of visitors taking in my presentation – this was a proud moment, and I was honoured to represent the IFA,” he says.

He recalls another memorable moment representing the IFA at the Annual Accountancy Lunch at the House of Commons. Experiences like this have placed him at the forefront of industry discussions and developments.

In the coming years, Rahman predicts that the accounting profession will see increased regulatory scrutiny and higher standards.

“Personally, I welcome this,” he says. “I believe accountancy is a very respected profession, and strengthening the regulation will only improve this in the future.

“My approach [to adapting to this change] would be developing my skills through CPD and further studies.”

He envisions a future in which accountants play an increasingly critical role as strategic advisors beyond traditional accounting functions.

With the rapid integration of technology in financial operations, he sees a significant opportunity for accountants to provide more comprehensive, value-added services that go beyond mere compliance and extend into strategic business planning and analysis.

By leveraging these opportunities for growth, Rahman aims to position RSA Accountants not only as a leader in the traditional accounting space but also as a pioneer in leveraging regulatory and technological changes to define the future of the profession.