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. 18H AGO

    Accountancy Insights: What does the Iran conflict really mean for British Business?

    We’ve already seen immediate spikes and fluctuations in the oil price and the wider financial and commodity markets.  But how will the UK economy be affected in the months to come and how heavy a price will British Business pay? RSM Chief Economist Tom Pugh shares his thoughts.  Liz Barclay is Co-founder of Business 111, Special Adviser on Small Business & Entrepreneurship at the Institute of Directors and campaigner for tighter rules on late payments. She gives her views on the Government’s recently announced plans. Finally, with demand growing for AI assurance, what does good actually look like?  Expert and Senior Programme Manager in Digital Ethics & AI at TechUK, Tess Buckley, fills us in. Links ICAEW: Iran conflict sends economic shockwave across the Gulf -https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/mar-2026/iran-conflict-sends-economic-shockwave-through-the-gulf Oil prices to stay elevated across Iran War scenarios - https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-prices-stay-elevated-across-iran-war-scenarios-2026-03-27/ Late payments consultation response - https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/late-payments-tackling-poor-payment-practices/outcome/late-payment-consultation-time-to-pay-up-government-response-web-version Government AI assurance roadmap - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trusted-third-party-ai-assurance-roadmap/trusted-third-party-ai-assurance-roadmap Ensuring responsible AI development - https://www.techuk.org/resource/ensuring-responsible-ai-development-let-s-talk-about-ai-assurance.html Host Philippa Lamb Guests Liz Barclay, Co-founder of Business 111, Special Adviser on Small Business & Entrepreneurship at the Institute of DirectorsTess Buckley, Expert and Senior Programme Manager in Digital Ethics & AI at TechUKTom Pugh, RSM Chief EconomistProducer Natalie Chisholm Series Lead Mark Rowland Episode first published: 1 April Podcast recorded: 27 March

    36 min
  2. Behind the Numbers: UK SRS – what’s in it, and the FCA consultation

    MAR 10

    Behind the Numbers: UK SRS – what’s in it, and the FCA consultation

    UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS) are bringing sustainability reporting in line with international standards. So who will be mandated to use them and how will they apply in practice? The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is consulting on this at the moment. One of the people behind the international standards joins us and ICAEW’s Sustainability Reporting and Assurance Director to discuss the implications of this. Links UK Sustainability Reporting Standards - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-sustainability-reporting-standards FCA Consultation - https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/consultation-papers/cp26-5-sustainability-disclosures IFRS Sustainability Disclosures navigator - https://www.ifrs.org/issued-standards/ifrs-sustainability-standards-navigator/ ICAEW Government publishes UK SRS - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/feb-2026/government-publishes-uk-sustainability-reporting-standards Host Philippa Lamb Guests Ravi Abeywardana, ICAEW's Director of Sustainability Reporting and AssuranceRichard Barker, a member of the International Sustainability Standards BoardProducer  Natalie Chisholm Series Lead Mark Rowland Episode first published: 10 March Podcast recorded: 9 February

    23 min

  3. MAR 4

    Accountancy Insights: Corporate reporting is changing, MTD on the way

    There’s just one month to go till Making Tax Digital kicks in for Income Tax; we take a look at how the transition will go. There’s also a lot happening in corporate reporting at the moment – Sally Baker brings us up to speed. Links ICAEW: Making Tax Digital - https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/making-tax-digitalICAEW: MTD: How to prepare your clients - https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2026/jan-2026/mtd-how-to-prepare-your-clientsICAEW: FRC issues amendments to FRS 102 and FRS 105 - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/mar-2026/frc-issues-amendments-to-frs-102-and-frs105ICAEW: Government publishes UK Sustainability Reporting Standards - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/feb-2026/government-publishes-uk-sustainability-reporting-standardsRegulation plan update: Modernisation of Corporate Reporting - https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-10-21/hcws973ICAEW: UK adopts IFRS 18 - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/dec-2025/landmark-moment-for-financial-reporting-as-uk-adopts-ifrs-18ICAEW: IFRS 18 fact sheet (ICAEW members only) - https://www.icaew.com/restrictedmedia?mediaItemId=03545ebb-a068-48eb-b50c-13eede0e3804Host Philippa Lamb Guests Sally Baker, Head of Corporate Reporting Strategy, ICAEWRebecca Benneyworth, ICAEW Chartered AccountantProducer  Natalie Chisholm Series Lead Mark Rowland Episode first published: 4 March Podcast recorded: 23 and 25 February

    18 min
  4. Behind the Numbers: How to get to the c-suite

    FEB 10

    Behind the Numbers: How to get to the c-suite

    This episode looks at routes to the C-suite, and the traits, skills and capabilities you’ll need to get you there. Accountants are highly represented in the C-suite, with one in four CEOs holding the qualification according to research by Robert Half. However, the working world is going through rapid technological and cultural transformation. So how is that changing the competencies that organisations look for in their leaders?  And how can you best prepare yourself for taking on those roles in the future? Transcript Read the full transcript of this episode here - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/how-to-get-to-the-c-suite/transcript Links ICAEW: Soft skills for leaders (CPD) - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/jul-2025/free-cpd-soft-skills-for-leaders ICAEW: Traits of modern CFOs - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2024/jul-2024/what-traits-make-up-the-modern-cfo ICAEW: Eight lessons from my first year as CFO - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/feb-2026/eight-lessons-from-my-first-year-as-a-cfo ICAEW: How to deal with team conflict - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/jan-2026/management-skills-how-to-deal-with-team-conflict Host Philippa Lamb Guests Neil Cutting, Transformation Director at OracleZana Goic Petricevic, leadership transformation expertRichard Davis, founder and CEO, FNLYProducer Natalie Chisholm  Episode first published: 10 February 2026 Podcast recorded: 21 January 2026

    39 min

  5. FEB 2

    Accountancy Insights: How to use AI in tax ethically, and group audit best practice

    This episode covers AI and tax work and ISA 600 on group audits, following the release of two pieces of guidance on the topics.  With several tax cases in which AI has been used and provided incorrect or misleading information, we outline how to apply the five fundamental ethical principles to AI use.  ISA 600 on group audits was revised, effective for audits of financial statements for periods commencing on or after 15 December 2023. These changes are quite wide ranging, particularly when it comes to the treatment of component auditors. We go through the details.  Links: ICAEW: Professional conduct in relation to taxation (PCRT) - https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/working-in-tax/pcrt ICAEW: Auditing groups of companies - https://www.icaew.com/technical/audit-and-assurance/audit/group-audit HMRC v Gunnarsson - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/688240632b6fd60b7c16100d/HMRC_v_Gunnarsson_final_decision.pdf ICAEW: PCRT Guidance on ethical use of AI - https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/working-in-tax/pcrt/topical-guidance-application-of-pcrt-to-ethical-use-of-artificial-intelligence-tools ICAEW: Use of AI criticised in tax case - https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2025/aug-2025/use-of-ai-criticised-in-tax-case ICAEW: Group auditing: nine key changes for auditors - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/jan-2026/group-auditing-nine-key-changes-for-auditors Host Philippa Lamb Guests Sophie Wales, Director of Regulatory Policy at ICAEWCatherine Hardinge, Partner, Price Bailey    Producer Natalie Chisholm Episode first published: 3 February 2026 Podcast recorded: 28 January 2026

    19 min
  6. Behind the Numbers: How the Celsius scandal is reshaping Crypto regulation

    JAN 12

    Behind the Numbers: How the Celsius scandal is reshaping Crypto regulation

    Celsius network claimed to be a safe place to trade digital currencies and assets. In reality, it was using customers’ money for its own ends. In the first Behind the Numbers of the New Year, we explore the collapse of digital currency platform Celsius network, the scandal that followed, and its lasting impact on crypto asset regulation, particularly custody.   Since that scandal, international regulators including the Financial Conduct Authority have been looking at custody rules and wider regulation around digital assets. But are they on the right track? Transcript Read the full transcript of this episode here - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/how-the-celsius-scandal-is-reshaping-crypto-regulation/transcript Links Founder of Celsius sentenced to 12 years for fraud - https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/founder-celsius-sentenced-12-years-fraud-and-market-manipulation Celsius investigation: all the red flags - https://fortune.com/2023/02/07/celsius-network-investigation-red-flags/ FCA Crypto Roadmap - https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/documents/crypto-roadmap.pdf FCA: Stablecoin issuance and Cryptoasset Custody proposals - https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/consultation-papers/cp25-14-stablecoin-issuance-cryptoasset-custody ICAEW: The Future of crypto regulation: key considerations - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/nov-2025/the-future-of-crypto-regulation-key-considerations Host Philippa Lamb Guests Polly Tsang, Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager, ICAEWJessica Caws, Co-Head of Financial Services at Birketts LLPShermeen Kazmi, Partner, Grant ThorntonProducer Natalie Chisholm Episode first published: 12 January 2026 Podcast recorded: 16 December 2025

    30 min
  7. Behind the Numbers: A World Cup bump, an AI slump? 2026 predictions

    12/30/2025

    Behind the Numbers: A World Cup bump, an AI slump? 2026 predictions

    In the first episode of 2026, our usual team of soothsayers David Williamson, Frances Haque and Iain Wright review the events of the past 12 months, and look ahead to what we might expect in the coming year. Will 2026 be more of the same, or will there be some reasons to be cheerful? Could the AI bubble burst, or will it just deflate? And did our panel get anything right last year? Transcript Read the full transcript of this episode - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/a-world-cup-bump-an-ai-slump-2026-predictions/transcript Links ICAEW: The 2025 predictions episode - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/accountancy-insights/trump-tariffs-and-eu-turmoil-2025-predictions ICAEW: UK Business Confidence Monitor - https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy/business-confidence-monitor ‘The AI bubble will burst’ - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0m7h23s Host Philippa Lamb Guests Iain Wright, Managing Director, Reputation and Influence, ICAEWDavid Williamson, Political Editor, Sunday ExpressFrances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UKProducer Natalie Chisholm Episode first published: 31 December 2025 Podcast recorded: 15 December 2025

    31 min
  8. Behind the Numbers: Best of 2025

    12/17/2025

    Behind the Numbers: Best of 2025

    With Christmas round the corner, we’ve put together a special best of episode of Behind the Numbers, featuring some of the most memorable conversations from throughout the year.  From discussions of Trump and tariffs on our 100th episode to one of our favourite conversations on the history of money, it’s an excellent way to remind yourself of what went on this year – or catch up on what you’ve missed.  Links: ICAEW: Rebuilding trust in volatile times - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/rebuilding-trust-in-volatile-times ICAEW: Appraising Starmer’s Labour - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/appraising-starmers-labour ICAEW: How to bounce back from a cyber attack - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/how-to-bounce-back-from-a-cyber-attack ICAEW: Dealing with uncertainty and mental health - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/dealing-with-uncertainty-and-mental-health ICAEW: Can history teach us anything about digital money? - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/can-history-teach-us-anything-about-digital-money Host Philippa Lamb Clips featuring Iain Wright, Chief Policy & Communications Officer, ICAEWDavid Williamson, Chief Political Commentator, The Express Frances Haque, Santander Chief Economist Neil Hare-Brown, Founder, STORM GuidanceMichael Hoare, partner, Kekst CNCPaul Guess, Case Management Officer at CABARiaz Shah OBE, Professor of Practice, Hult International Business SchoolTony Moore, Lecturer in Finance, Henley Business SchoolPolly Tsang, Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager, ICAEWProducer Natalie ChisholmEpisode first published: 18 December Podcast recorded: 7 November 2025

    18 min
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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
    130
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Accountancy Insights
  • Show Website
    Accountancy Insights

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