In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss how accountants can build the skills needed to take on leadership and executive roles during their careers. In a recent report by the Financial Times, one anonymous headhunter was quoted as saying: “If America is run by lawyers, then the UK is run by accountants.” It’s backed up by the data, too: around…

In this episode, we discuss why the arrival of the 2024/25 tax year is particularly busy for accountants, and the main changes to be aware of from 6 April. Plus, six months on from the passing of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, we learn what progress has been made to enact its various provisions. To shed light on those two topics…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss how changes to the funding of British farms could affect the UK’s broader economic resilience. As a result of Brexit, British farms will stop benefiting from the EU Common Agricultural Policy by the end of 2027. The policy paid subsidies largely regardless of land use. Now, farmers need to transition to…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss the contents of the 2024 Spring Budget and their likely impacts on the UK economy. The Spring Budget was delivered against the backdrop of recession and persistent inflation. While the Chancellor had better-than-expected headroom for delivering tax cuts, the UK economy and its public finances are still …

In this Insights In Focus episode, we catch up with ICAEW Chief Executive Michael Izza ahead of his stepping down from his role later this month. Izza has been with ICAEW since 2002 and Chief Executive since 2006. In that time, he’s steered the Institute through the global financial crisis, the pandemic and the early stages of a global technologica…

In this episode, we discuss how firms can maintain momentum on the International Standard of Quality Management, as well as changes in preparation and filing as a result of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. We also hear about ICAEW’s new podcast, The Tax Track, and changes to the Engaging in Public Practice certificate. Philippa La…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss the future of audit and corporate governance reform. Back in May 2022, after years of reviews and consultations, the government announced its plans for reform. The key proposals included the area of a new audit regulator, a wider definition of public interest entities, and ensuring that FTSE 350 firms w…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss what 2024 is likely to bring for businesses and their accountants. Beyond a Spring Budget and elections on both sides of the Atlantic, there are few certainties for the coming 12 months. Looking at ICAEW’s Business Confidence Monitor and forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Bank o…

In the second of two special Insights In Focus episodes, guest host Mark Rowland shares news and views from COP28 in Dubai. This episode focuses on capacity building within the finance profession and making the business case for a nature-positive transition. Mark is joined in the studio by Sarah Reay, Climate Change Manager, ICAEW; Jessica Fries, E…

In the first of two special Insights In Focus episodes, guest host Mark Rowland shares news and views from COP28 in Dubai. This episode focuses on the importance of transition plans in achieving net zero. In the studio, ICAEW Climate Change Manager Sarah Reay and Resilience First’s Shazre Quamber-Hill explain why transition planning is a vital part…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we explore the contents and implications of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. After a challenging route through Parliament, the Act finally received Royal Assent in late October. It promises sweeping changes to Companies House and reporting requirements for SMEs. Crucially, it also covers whe…

The ICAEW Insights podcast explores the month’s top stories in accountancy. In this episode, we explain how ICAEW members can apply for dual membership with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). We also discuss the key points and learnings from this year’s Cyber Security Awareness Month and hear how ICAEW’s Resilience a…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we explore strategies to expand and upskill Britain’s workforce. Low unemployment is currently twinned with high vacancies, leading to a tight labour market. One cause is an increase in the number of economically inactive. And ICAEW’s Business Confidence Monitor has flagged a lack of non-management skills as an es…

In this episode, we discuss a new content series recently launched by ICAEW: ‘Resilience and renewal: building an economy fit for the future’. The campaign explores the main challenges facing the UK economy and how chartered accountants are integral in addressing them. Plus, we share key deadlines for those filing self assessment returns and the pe…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss professional ethics and seek to answer the age-old question: why do good people do bad things? Accountants are increasingly acting as an ethical compass for their employers and clients. It’s a natural fit for a profession that has a deep understanding of business and a professional duty to act in the pu…

The ICAEW Insights podcast explores the month’s top stories in accountancy. In this episode, we discuss Labour’s proposals for removing VAT exemptions from private schools and the disagreement over just how much money it would raise for the public purse. Plus, in our final CPD update before the new regulations come into force on 1 November, we answ…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we analyse the health of the UK economy through the lens of the Prime Minister’s pledges for 2023. Back in January, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made five pledges for the year ahead. Three of those related to indicators of economic and fiscal health: halving inflation, stimulating growth, and reducing the national d…

The ICAEW Insights podcast explores the month’s top stories in accountancy. In this episode, we discuss the contents of the International Sustainability Standards Board’s first two published standards; ICAEW’s role in the newly launched E-Commerce Trade Commission; and firms’ responsibilities under new CPD regulations launching 1 November 2023. Phi…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we analyse the UK’s current economic turbulence through the lens of the commercial property sector. With capital values down 15% in the last year, has bricks and mortar lost its attractiveness to investors? And, with inflation remaining stubbornly persistent, what do trendlines in the sector tell us about the UK e…

The latest ICAEW Insights podcast shares the month’s top stories in accountancy. This episode analyses the tax system from two different angles: progress made in digitalisation and towards gender equality. Plus, details of changes to ICAEW member CPD are explored ahead of their November live date. Philippa Lamb learns more from ICAEW experts Caroli…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we explore how the introduction of sustainability assurance, both voluntary and mandatory, is affecting firms of all sizes. Back in April 2022, the UK became the first G20 nation to bring recommendations from the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) into law. TCFD requirements only apply to t…

In this special Insights In Focus episode, we discuss the changes to tax architecture and design that may strengthen the UK’s national bargain as economic turbulence continues. The national bargain – the broad agreement that taxation is a fair exchange for the provision of public services – has fluctuated over time. Most recently, polling by YouGov…

On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast, we explore the month’s key developments in accountancy. This episode discusses the findings of the government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey, how hybrid working is affecting the taxation of greener forms of transport, and the release of public finance figures for April 2023. Philippa Lamb goes beyond the head…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss best practice in hiring, training and safeguarding talent under hybrid working. It has been more than three years since the pandemic saw office workers decamp to living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms, upending decades of established working practices. Now, hybrid working is the norm and considered essenti…

On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast, we discuss the month’s key developments in accountancy. This episode examines VAT as the tax reaches its 50th birthday, announcements made by the government at Tax Administration and Maintenance Day on 27 April, and upcoming changes to ICAEW’s statement on engaging in public practice. Philippa Lamb is joined by…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss the obstacles and incentives to SME investment. In recent years, a string of crises and ongoing economic uncertainty has dampened investment across the board. Office for National Statistics figures show that business investment remains lower than pre-pandemic levels and fell 0.2% in Q4 2022. The March B…

In this special Insights In Focus episode, we discuss how the UK’s changing demographics are having an impact on public finances and policymaking. The latest census revealed that almost a quarter of the UK’s population is now aged 60 or over. Meanwhile, recent research claims NHS spending will have to increase yearly by 3% to meet demand. There’s a…

On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast, we examine how recent developments are affecting the accountancy profession. This month, we discuss the responsible use of generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT; the impact of rising corporation tax and changing R&D credits; and how to get involved in the FRED 82 consultation on UK GAAP. Phil…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss the effectiveness of local authority audit and assurance. Many local authorities are facing a difficult financial situation, with pressure to deliver services at a time of stretched resources. There are also questions regarding the timely delivery and usefulness of their audited accounts – and whether c…

On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast, we explore the contents of the 2023 Spring Budget and the likely impacts on UK businesses and the work of finance professionals alike. Coming only five months after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement, which hastily course-corrected from September 2022’s ‘fiscal event’, the Spring Budget was expected to b…

In this ‘Insights In Focus’ episode, we discuss ways to attract and retain talent in the accounting profession. Last year saw the UK accountancy sector’s graduate intake fall for the first time since 2008. Meanwhile, job applications across the sector fell by more than a third, compared with 2021. While the numbers have coincided with significant e…

In this special ‘Insights In Focus’ episode, we discuss the ways in which HMRC is using digital technology to influence tax calculation and collection. The UK’s first electronic tax return was filed in 1997. Since then, technology has dramatically transformed the calculation of tax, the filing of forms and the way that HMRC and tax authorities abro…

On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast, we consider the future of audit – and the impact of the government’s proposed reforms on professionals in the sector. It has now been five years since Carillion was liquidated, leaving behind debts of £7bn and the taxpayer a bill for £150m. The collapse of the construction services giant increased scrutiny on a…

In this special Insights In Focus episode, we discuss the thorny and often contentious topic of executive pay. The highly experienced panel doesn’t ignore the most common exec pay conversation – the eye-watering amounts sometimes paid to senior managers – but the discussion doesn’t stop there either. We hear first about the growing use of ESG metri…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss the pros and cons of crypto and its impact on the work of finance professionals. The collapse of crypto exchange and hedge fund FTX in December took $8bn of its customers’ money with it and raised fresh questions about the sector. Fans claim crypto will revolutionise how businesses and customers interac…

On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast, we look ahead to what 2023 might hold for the UK economy and the work of finance professionals. While 2020 and 2021 were dominated by the need to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, 2022 posed new challenges. Economic and political pressures collided at home and abroad, resulting in significant uncertainty th…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we review the major events of 2022 and their contribution to ongoing economic uncertainty. Despite inflation already beginning to rise, the year began with optimism, as tracked by the ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor. But events moved quickly and the effects of the invasion of Ukraine in February and successive p…

In this episode of the ICAEW Insights podcast, we look at the Economic Crime Bill currently passing through Parliament. The Bill follows the Economic Crime Act, which became law in March. That legislation was fast tracked in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and included a raft of measures to sever economic ties with Russia. Now, this new…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we explore the Bank of England’s recent policy switch from quantitative easing to quantitative tightening. The Bank of England has been supporting the UK economy by buying government bonds since 2009. The policy has been a stabilising force through successive economic shocks: the global financial crisis, the euro …

We hear an update from the CFO about how advanced the company’s merger plans are and how this will secure their future in a competitive industry dominated by far larger global players. But the HR director has more worrying news about the numbers of staff that are quitting the company, especially the large amount of trainees leaving before they comp…

Our panel talk through the situation and provide their advice on how a board might manage a situation like this. The conversation has pointers not only for senior managers and board members who might face a similar situation but also for anyone who aspires to be in senior roles in the future. Host Peter van Veen, Director, Corporate Governance and …

In this Insights In Focus special episode, we discuss the rollout of the International Standard on Quality Management (ISQM) and what firms need to do before ISQM 1 is implemented on 15 December 2022. The aim of ISQM is to raise audit quality and encourage practitioners to think about the risks that may affect their work. But the imminent arrival o…

On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast, we discuss the impact of the energy crisis on how businesses are sourcing their energy as well as planning for the longer term. With government support for business energy bills only lasting six months, many firms are looking at securing their own energy supply. We learn what some of the options are – and wheth…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we explore why SMEs are tempting targets for cyber criminals, and what can be done to protect smaller firms against attacks. Databases full of sensitive client information are a huge draw for cyber criminals and there are signs that attackers know all about the yearly rhythm of an accountant’s work, waiting until …

On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast, we explore how accountants can go about approaching some of the year’s most challenging professional issues. World events have moved quickly this year. Successive waves of sanctions against Russia and the return of M&A activity – as well as the subsequent spike in conflict-of-interest queries – have meant that …

In this Insights in Focus episode, we discuss the major challenges facing UK businesses, including energy costs, recruitment and retention of staff, and wage inflation. Recent headlines haven’t made easy reading. A recession looms, inflation continues to rise, and sterling plunged following the ‘mini-Budget’ on 23 September. Understandably, busines…

On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast, we discuss the economic challenges facing new Prime Minister Liz Truss, and the policy commitments made during the summer’s campaign trail. The Prime Minister has a sizeable in-tray to tackle. Stalling growth and rising inflation have led to warnings of economic stagnation for the UK. The energy crisis and indu…

In this Insights In Focus episode, we explore the multifaceted role of the insolvency professional by hearing from both practitioner and client. Fraser Dick, managing director of Perfection Alloys, shares how the technical and emotional support of Tyrone Courtman, partner at RSM UK Restructuring Advisory, steered the business away from insolvency a…

On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast, we explore the problems facing the aviation sector with experts Matthew Davy, director at Strategy& UK, and Eleni Kaloyirou, CEO of Hermes Airports, Cyprus. The panel discuss the business drivers behind this summer’s flight woes, including the effects of ongoing staff shortages. Plus, we examine the long-term p…

In this special edition of Insights In Focus, Iain Wright, ICAEW’s Managing Director, Reputation & Influence, is joined by Majeed Neky, Head of Policy, Levelling Up Taskforce at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Gill Morris, Chief Executive, Devo Connect and Sarah Longlands, Chief Executive, Centre for Local Economic Strateg…