Accountancy Insights

ICAEW

In this podcast series from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), a panel of guests dissect the latest headlines and provide expert analysis on the top stories from across the world of business, finance and accountancy

  1. 14h ago

    EY’s backing AI agents; and a new form of insider trading

    In this episode, EY UK Digital Assurance Leader Richard Harrison joins us to talk about how the firm is using AI agents in audit. How do they divide tasks between people and tech?  And how are they understanding and mitigating risk? Then, Polly Tsang, ICAEW’s Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager tells us about Prediction Markets. While you may not have heard of them, they’re opening up a whole new market for Insider Traders. Polly explains how they work, where the risks lie and what needs to happen to minimise them. Links EY principles of responsible AI - https://www.ey.com/en_uk/insights/ai/principles-for-ethical-and-responsible-ai?channel=TxtV-BPrediction markets spark insider trading fears - https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/09/prediction-markets-spark-insider-trading-fears-how-firms-are-responding.htmlMicrosoft bans prediction markets - https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-prediction-markets-employee-policy-2026-7Prediction markets are minting a new type of insider trader - https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2026-polymarket-traders-who-knew-the-future/Google worker charged with using internal data to make $1.2m - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c052yv259jvoICAEW CPD record - https://www.icaew.com/membership/cpd/online-cpd-record Host: Philippa Lamb  Guests:   Richard Harrison, UK Digital Assurance Leader, EYPolly Tsang, ICAEW’s Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager Producer: Natalie Chisholm  Series Lead:  Mark Rowland  Episode first published: 4 August  Podcast recorded: 27 July

  2. Jul 14

    Behind the Numbers: Is there really a growing AI bubble?

    The question of whether an ‘AI bubble’ is going to burst doesn’t seem to be going away. There’s a compelling case to be made on both sides of the argument, with the growing demand for AI tools, and the huge amount of money and resources needed to deliver on that demand.  So what are the actual risks of an AI bubble, and what would that mean for the tools that businesses and firms are investing in right now? We interrogate the various indicators of whether there might be a bubble or not, and discuss the considerations and failsafes that businesses should consider when adopting AI software. Links Data centre planning policy - https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-10315/CBP-10315.pdf Gas use in data centres - https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/dramatic-increase-in-data-centre-developers-wanting-gas-grid-connections-21-04-2026/ Water use for data centres - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/688cb407dc6688ed50878367/Water_use_in_data_centre_and_AI_report.pdf AI company IPOs - https://www.blackrock.com/us/financial-professionals/insights/mega-ai-ipos-and-index-inclusion Increasing demand for AI – Forbes - https://www.forbes.com/advisor/uk/business/software/uk-artificial-intelligence-ai-statistics/ AI boom leaves data centre demand beyond supply - https://datacentrenews.uk/story/ai-boom-to-leave-data-centre-demand-far-above-supply ICAEW CPD record - https://my.icaew.com/cpdrecord Host Philippa Lamb Guests Tom Pugh, Chief Economist, RSM UK Tasmin Lockwood, tech and environment journalist Hothyfa Elbeera, Senior Software Engineer, Claimsgate, MoJ  Producer Natalie Chisholm Series Lead Mark Rowland  Episode first published: 15 July Podcast recorded: 08 June

    Behind the Numbers: Is there really a growing AI bubble?

  3. Jul 1

    Accountancy Insights: Looking ahead: HMRC’s digital moves and impacts of Iran war

    We’ll have a new PM soon, while the war in the Middle East rages on. Does this mean more uncertainty for businesses in the second half of 2026? ICAEW’s Chief Economist tries to predict what might happen next.  If that wasn’t enough, there’s a lot going on in tax at the moment, from MTD Income Tax to new agent registration rules and more tax changes than expected mid-year. Lindsey Wicks explains all the changes.  Finally, we get an insight from Junaidy Ab-Mutalib about the profession in Malaysia. What are the unique opportunities and challenges for the profession in the region? Links ICAEW: Suren Thiru on how US-Iran peace deal could influence UK’s economic outlook - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/jun-2026/suren-thiru-on-how-us-iran-peace-deal-could-influence-uk-economyICAEW: Significant changes announced at Tax Update 2026 - https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2026/jun-2026/significant-changes-announced-at-tax-update-2026ICAEW: HMRC sets timetable for agent multi factor authentication rollout - https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2026/jun-2026/hmrc-sets-timetable-for-agent-multi-factor-authentication-rolloutICAEW: HMRC publishes detailed guidance on mandatory tax adviser registration - https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2026/jun-2026/hmrc-publishes-detailed-guidance-on-mandatory-tax-adviser-registrationICAEW: MTD income tax and claims for averaging relief - https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2026/jun-2026/mtd-income-tax-and-claims-for-averaging-reliefICAEW: CPD record - https://www.icaew.com/membership/cpd/online-cpd-record Host Philippa Lamb Guests Suren Thiru, Chief Economist, ICAEWLindsey Wicks, Senior Tax Technical Manager, ICAEWJunaidy Ab-Mutalib, Managing Partner, JM & Co Producer Natalie Chisholm Series Lead Mark Rowland Episode first published: 1 July Podcast recorded: 26 June

  4. Jun 16

    Behind the Numbers: When is CEO pay a problem?

    Last year CEO pay rose 20 times faster than workers’ pay, according to new research from Oxfam and the International Trade Union Confederation. At the most extreme end of that pay scale, investors approved an executive package for Elon Musk worth a potential $1tn. So when does CEO pay become too high?  What are the commercial, ethical and cultural implications for organisations if they’re perceived to be over-paying their CEOs?  And as businesses compete globally for the best executive talent what can Boards do to keep pay packages in check? Links Top CEO pay statistics from Oxfam - https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/top-ceo-pay-increased-20-times-faster-workers-pay-2025ICAEW: Remuneration Committee ebooks - https://www.icaew.com/technical/corporate-governance/committees/remuneration-committees/remuneration-committee-ebooksICAEW: Guidance on remuneration - https://www.icaew.com/technical/corporate-governance/committees/remuneration-committeesICAEW: How a CEOs pay package influences corporate culture - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/apr-2025/how-a-ceos-pay-package-influences-corporate-cultureICAEW CPD record - https://www.icaew.com/membership/cpd/online-cpd-recordHost Philippa Lamb Guests Shefaly Yogendra, independent Board director, board adviser and author Peter van Veen, Governance and Ethics Director, ICAEW Producer Natalie Chisholm Series Lead Mark Rowland Episode first published: 17 June Podcast recorded: 11 May

    Behind the Numbers: When is CEO pay a problem?

  5. Jun 2

    Accountancy Insights: Understanding tokenisation plans; rethinking the audit report

    The government has plans to tokenise financial markets. What exactly is tokenisation? What might it look like in practice and what are the big questions about it that still need answering? Polly Tsang, ICAEW’s Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager, explains. After that, audit reports: ICAEW has created the Auditor Reporting Lab, alongside audit firms, to encourage modernisation in the market. KPMG Partner in Professional Practice, Accounting & Reporting, Pamela Taylor, has been thinking hard about how to make them more useful and more user-friendly. This podcast counts towards your annual CPD – click the link below to log your time. Links ICAEW: What is tokenisation, and what are the challenges for accountants? - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/may-2026/what-is-tokenisation-and-the-challenges-for-accountantsGovernment tokenisation announcement - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-fintech-backed-to-embrace-future-payments-technologyFCA call for input on the future of tokenisation - https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/calls-input/future-tokenisation-joint-vision-authorities-uk-wholesale-marketsICAEW: Digital Assets Conference - https://www.icaew.com/learning-and-development/events/digital-assets-conferenceICAEW: Auditor Reporting Lab - https://www.icaew.com/policy-and-research/thought-leadership/audit-and-assurance-thought-leadership/auditor-reporting-labICAEW: Rethinking the auditor’s report - https://www.icaew.com/policy-and-research/thought-leadership/audit-and-assurance-thought-leadership/auditor-reporting-lab/rethinking-the-auditors-reportICAEW: Audit and Assurance Conference - https://www.icaew.com/learning-and-development/events/audit-and-assurance-conferenceICAEW podcasts - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast Host Philippa Lamb Guests Polly Tsang, Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager Pamela Taylor, Partner in Professional Practice, Accounting & Reporting, KPMG Producer Natalie Chisholm Series Lead Mark Rowland Episode first published: 3 June 2026 Podcast recorded: 19 May 2026

  6. May 19

    Behind the Numbers: Are you taking fraud seriously enough?

    Fraud is the largest reported crime in England and Wales, and the UK government wants to bring numbers down. With failure to prevent fraud now an offence, there is some onus on business to address the issue. But are enough businesses taking it seriously? In this episode, we take a look at the common types of fraud, what businesses should be vigilant of, and how can they protect themselves? Links UK government fraud strategy - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fraud-strategy-2026-to-2029UK fraud statistics - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/natureoffraudandcomputermisuseinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2025ICAEW: Fraud helpsheets - https://www.icaew.com/technical/tas-helpsheets/fraudICAEW: What the government’s new fraud strategies mean for business - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/apr-2026/what-the-governments-new-fraud-strategies-mean-for-businessICAEW: podcasts - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast Host Guy Ruddle Guests Tristan Yelland, Partner, Forensic and Investigations, Grant ThorntonWill Christopher, Partner, Kinsgsley NapleyProducer Natalie Chisholm Series Lead Mark Rowland Episode first published: 20 May 2026 Podcast recorded: 20 April 2026

  7. May 5

    Accountancy Insights: Can businesses mitigate rising energy prices? Plus AI in audit, UK GAAP

    Everyone’s talking about energy costs at the moment. Greenfields Energy Group’s co-founder LIAM CONWAY walks us through the energy impacts of the Iran War and outlines the best ways for businesses to protect themselves from global energy shocks.    Elsewhere on the episode, we discuss new guidance from the Financial Reporting Council on managing the risks for auditors when it comes to AI adoption; and a quick update on UKGAAP: the challenges that the changes pose for smaller entities Links How higher oil prices will change Britain -https://www.thetimes.com/article/f754197a-859b-460b-8ad0-1e36fc878ff1FRC – AI in Audit: Generative and Agentic AI guidance -https://www.frc.org.uk/library/standards-codes-policy/audit-assurance-and-ethics/guidance/ai-in-audit/ICAEW UK GAAP hub - https://www.icaew.com/technical/corporate-reporting/uk-gaap/changes-to-uk-gaapICAEW: Changes to UK GAAP Conference - https://www.icaew.com/learning-and-development/events/corporate-reporting-conferenceICAEW podcasts - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast Host Philippa Lamb Guests Liam Conway, Co-Founder, Greenfield Energy GroupIan Pay, Head of Data Analytics, ICAEWFahad Asgar, Technical Manager, Corporate Reporting, ICAEW  Producer Natalie Chisholm Series Lead Mark Rowland Episode first published: 6 May Podcast recorded: 29 April

  8. Apr 13

    Behind the Numbers: Is AI accelerating the brain drain?

    AI is already having an impact on the make-up of audit teams and there’s some evidence it’s already reducing the number of junior roles. But it’s all still new, and developing all of the time. What about the medium and longer term effects? How might it change training and career paths and will it ultimately boost or diminish the appeal of a career in accountancy? We’re joined by a young accountant, an ex-accountant turned HR advisor, and the MD of a leading hiring firm in the audit and accounting sector, about how roles, skills and hiring practices are evolving, and what that means for the profession. Links ICAEW: Why we still need junior accountants in the age of AI - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/apr-2026/why-we-still-need-junior-accountants-and-how-their-role-might-change Is There a Brain Drain in Auditing? - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/402277496_Modeling_the_Consequences_of_the_Auditors'_Leaving_the_Public_Accounting_Profession_Is_There_a_Brain_Drain_in_Auditing ICAEW: How to stop accountancy's brain drain - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/how-to-stop-accountancys-brain-drain/transcript ICAEW: How is AI transforming roles in industry? - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/apr-2026/how-is-ai-transforming-roles-in-industry ICAEW podcasts - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast Host Philippa Lamb Guests Lola Abitogun, Fractional HR DirectorGeorge Oliver, Audit Associate, KPMGChris Lawton, Group MD, Executive Search, Robert Half Producer Natalie Chisholm Series Lead Mark Rowland Episode first published: 15 April Podcast recorded: 11 March

    Behind the Numbers: Is AI accelerating the brain drain?
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About

In this podcast series from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), a panel of guests dissect the latest headlines and provide expert analysis on the top stories from across the world of business, finance and accountancy

Information

  • Creator
    ICAEW
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    138
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Accountancy Insights
  • Show Website
    Accountancy Insights

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