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Strategic Growth: Innovation, Capital, and Risk in Global Markets
IAB’s October 2026 edition examines how businesses and professional firms can turn shifting trends into opportunity from innovating and developing AI tools in the workplace, to private equity’s growing influence on the accountancy profession, the changing demands of advisory work to geopolitical risk, corporate security and the pressures facing business leaders, our contributors explore the decisions shaping growth, resilience and long-term success.
In the C-Suite interview, I speak with Allan Koltin, CEO of Koltin Consulting Group, Inc, and Jeremy Dubow, CEO of Prosperity Partners about private equity investment, dealmaking and the evolving advisory landscape. As Prosperity Partners enters its next growth chapter with Lightyear Capital, their conversation reveals how strategic investment is transforming the profession and creating new possibilities for growth.
Risk and resilience are also high on the agenda. In our Talking Heads feature, I bring together Ilkay Sarpdag of Zenvest Partners, Mike Davies of Kigoda Consulting and Keith Morrow of Kamolyn Ltd., all senior advisors at Global Advisory Alliance, to examine how Boards can assess geopolitical risk and strengthen corporate security across jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, TC group's research highlights the growing pressures facing UK business leaders and the importance of proactive business advisory support. The Nexia Global Growth Index Report 2026, explored by CEO Matthew Howell, considers what it takes to start, scale and sustain a successful business, recognising the vital contribution of growth to jobs, economic momentum and national confidence.
We also turn to practical risk management, with Michael Whitehead of Aon South Africa explaining why SMEs should prepare for the financial implications of a SARS audit.
Our international rankings reports offer further perspective. Che Golden examines how political uncertainty is constraining Mexico's growth ambitions, while the Uruguay report explores reforms designed to attract major investors while strengthening opportunities for smaller businesses. There are further rankings tables for Peru and Argentina and the usual news round-up.
In a special supplement produced in partnership with HLB, we turn our attention to technology innovation in the workplace, exploring how digital transformation is changing the way organisations work, collaborate and prepare for the future.
HLB International’s technology at work supplement titled, People Powered: the talent, skills and collaborations putting technology to work in professional services in partnership with International Accounting Bulletin, focusses on the shift from theoretical AI awareness to practical deployment, experimentation, and governed risk management across member firms.
"From experimentation to application: HLB advances its AI agenda in Barcelona," examines how cross-border collaboration and a hackathon mindset translate emerging tools into measurable efficiency and quality gains.
"HLB & Lovable: Prototype-Driven AI Innovation," explores how agile prototyping helps firms test new solutions quickly while establishing the governance needed to scale responsibly.
"Women Lead Accounting Tech—Beyond Linear Paths," shows how non-traditional career journeys can overcome industry skills shortages and strengthen innovation across the profession.
The timing of this supplement is critical. As AI adoption accelerates, firms must ensure that awareness is matched by practical training, giving members the confidence to experiment safely with new tools and understand their risks and limitations. Developing prototypes around the specific needs of users and clients will help move AI from an abstract possibility to a valuable, well-governed part of everyday work. This combination of learning, testing, and shared experience will be essential to building capability across HLB’s member firms and delivering meaningful benefits to clients.
Zoya Malik
editor-in-chief