Accountancy Insights

On 7 September, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey delivered a speech setting out his goals for the Budget, amid twitchiness in the bond markets. What did he hope to achieve, and what does it tell us about the Budget in October? We discuss the speech, the factors that are likely to shape the Budget, and what options the Chancellor has to encourage growth, balance tax and spend, and calm the markets.

Transcript

You can read the full transcript of this episode here -https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/john-healeys-pre-budget-speech-what-does-it-tell-us/transcript

Links

• John Healey’s speech - https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/chancellor-john-healeys-growth-speech-2026
• The bond market shock and what it means for Andy Burnham - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/bond-markets-andy-burnham-budget-uk-b3043257.html
• Jump in energy bills drives UK inflation to highest rate for four months - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdrv7jr8n74o
• Stock up on food to prepare for extreme weather - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp931m8n3p5o
• ICAEW CPD record - https://my.icaew.com/cpdrecord

Host
Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Frances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UK
• David Wooding, Political commentator and former Sunday Express Editor
• Suren Thiru, Chief Economist, ICAEW

Producer
Natalie Chisholm

Series Lead
Mark Rowland

Episode first published: 10 September
Podcast recorded: 7 September

In this episode, we take a look at the government’s Fraud in the Digital Age report: what does it tell us about trends and what can businesses do to protect themselves? And with the first submissions deadline for Income Tax under the new Making Tax Digital system just passed - how did it go? We discuss the lessons learned for the next submission.

Links

• ICAEW: HMRC to begin signing up taxpayers for MTD Income Tax - https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2026/aug-2026/hmrc-to-begin-signing-up-taxpayers-for-mtd-income-tax
• ICAEW: Tax Track Podcast: are you (and HMRC) ready for MTD? - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/the-tax-track/mtd-live-are-you-and-hmrc-ready-for-mtd
• ICAEW: Making Tax Digital Hub - http://icaew.com/MTD
• Report Fraud - https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/
• Fraud in the Digital Age - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fraud-in-the-digital-age
• ICAEW CPD record - https://my.icaew.com/cpdrecord

Host
Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Katy Worobec, Fraud Prevention Consultant, A Jolly Consulting
• Lindsey Wicks, Senior Tax Technical Manager, ICAEW

Producer
Natalie Chisholm

Series Lead
Mark Rowland

Episode first published: 27 August
Podcast recorded: 25 August

For Business, faraway wars feel way closer than they used to. In the current volatile geopolitical environment, businesses need to consider planning for these events. So in this episode, we run through such an exercise: what if Russia tests NATO resolve by firing on Poland and amassing troops near the region? We explore this hypothetical but increasingly plausible scenario in this episode. 

Links

• Charles Hecker’s book - https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/zero-sum/
• US intel finds Putin could test NATO’s resolve with limited incursion - https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/u-s-intel-finds-putin-could-test-natos-resolve-with-limited-incursion-e3b02e2c
• Atlantic Council on likely Russian attack on NATO - https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/western-weakness-is-encouraging-putin-to-test-nato/
• Oakwood Risk Group - https://oakwoodriskgroup.com/
• ICAEW CPD record -  https://my.icaew.com/cpdrecord

Host
Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Luke Blake, Founding Director, Business advisors Oakwood Risk Group
• Charles Hecker, Geopolitical Risk Expert, Author of Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business In Russia

Producer
Natalie Chisholm

Series Lead
Mark Rowland

Episode first published: 19 August
Podcast recorded: 28 July

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-B
• Prediction markets spark insider trading fears - https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/09/prediction-markets-spark-insider-trading-fears-how-firms-are-responding.html
• Microsoft bans prediction markets - https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-prediction-markets-employee-policy-2026-7
• Prediction 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/c052yv259jvo
• ICAEW CPD record - https://www.icaew.com/membership/cpd/online-cpd-record

 Host: Philippa Lamb

 Guests:  

• Richard Harrison, UK Digital Assurance Leader, EY
• Polly Tsang, ICAEW’s Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager

 Producer: Natalie Chisholm

 Series Lead:  Mark Rowland

 Episode first published: 4 August

 Podcast recorded: 27 July

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

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-economy
• ICAEW: Significant changes announced at Tax Update 2026 - https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2026/jun-2026/significant-changes-announced-at-tax-update-2026
• ICAEW: 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-rollout
• ICAEW: 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-registration
• ICAEW: 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-relief
• ICAEW: CPD record - https://www.icaew.com/membership/cpd/online-cpd-record 

Host
Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Suren Thiru, Chief Economist, ICAEW
• Lindsey Wicks, Senior Tax Technical Manager, ICAEW
• Junaidy Ab-Mutalib, Managing Partner, JM & Co

Producer
Natalie Chisholm

Series Lead
Mark Rowland

Episode first published: 1 July
Podcast recorded: 26 June

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-2025
• ICAEW: Remuneration Committee ebooks - https://www.icaew.com/technical/corporate-governance/committees/remuneration-committees/remuneration-committee-ebooks
• ICAEW: Guidance on remuneration - https://www.icaew.com/technical/corporate-governance/committees/remuneration-committees
• ICAEW: 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-culture
• ICAEW CPD record - https://www.icaew.com/membership/cpd/online-cpd-record

Host
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

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-accountants
• Government tokenisation announcement - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-fintech-backed-to-embrace-future-payments-technology
• FCA call for input on the future of tokenisation - https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/calls-input/future-tokenisation-joint-vision-authorities-uk-wholesale-markets
• ICAEW: Digital Assets Conference - https://www.icaew.com/learning-and-development/events/digital-assets-conference
• ICAEW: Auditor Reporting Lab - https://www.icaew.com/policy-and-research/thought-leadership/audit-and-assurance-thought-leadership/auditor-reporting-lab
• ICAEW: 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-report
• ICAEW: Audit and Assurance Conference - https://www.icaew.com/learning-and-development/events/audit-and-assurance-conference
• ICAEW 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

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-2029
• UK fraud statistics - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/natureoffraudandcomputermisuseinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2025
• ICAEW: Fraud helpsheets - https://www.icaew.com/technical/tas-helpsheets/fraud
• ICAEW: 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-business
• ICAEW: podcasts - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast

Host
Guy Ruddle

Guests

• Tristan Yelland, Partner, Forensic and Investigations, Grant Thornton
• Will Christopher, Partner, Kinsgsley Napley

Producer
Natalie Chisholm

Series Lead
Mark Rowland

Episode first published: 20 May 2026
Podcast recorded: 20 April 2026

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-8ad0-1e36fc878ff1
• FRC – 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-gaap
• ICAEW: Changes to UK GAAP Conference - https://www.icaew.com/learning-and-development/events/corporate-reporting-conference
• ICAEW podcasts - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast

Host
Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Liam Conway, Co-Founder, Greenfield Energy Group
• Ian Pay, Head of Data Analytics, ICAEW
• Fahad Asgar, Technical Manager, Corporate Reporting, ICAEW 

Producer
Natalie Chisholm

Series Lead
Mark Rowland

Episode first published: 6 May
Podcast recorded: 29 April