Accountancy Insights

By ICAEW

What's Accountancy Insights 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

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Accountancy Insights episodes:

06.27.2024
Behind the numbers: Groupthink – the boardroom’s most pervasive problem?
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss strategies to prevent and tackle groupthink at board level. By suppressing debate and disrupting effective decision-making, groupthink poses a significant governance challenge for firms. Notably, the recent scandal over fee...
06.05.2024
Accountancy Insights: Corporate reporting update and VAT on private hire vehicles
In this episode, we discuss important developments in corporate reporting, including amendments to UK GAAP, new standards IFRS18 and IFRS19, and the timeline for implementing IFRS S1 and IFRS S2. We also discuss the evolving VAT treatment of private hire...
05.29.2024
ICAEW Insights In Focus: AI in audit - the good, the bad and the ugly
In this ICAEW Insights In Focus episode, we discuss the use of artificial intelligence in audit. Depending on who you talk to, generative AI is either going to revolutionise the way auditors work or replace certain roles in the...
05.10.2024
ICAEW Insights: Company size thresholds and CGT on residences
In this episode of the ICAEW Insights podcast, we discuss upcoming changes to company size thresholds and what they mean for reporting requirements. Plus, with capital gains tax in the headlines, we explore the rules and restrictions when it comes...
05.02.2024
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Lessons in leadership from ICAEW's CEO
In this special bonus episode of Insights In Focus, we meet new ICAEW CEO Alan Vallance to discuss the leadership lessons of his career. Alan is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and joined the Institute as CEO in April 2024....
04.16.2024
ICAEW Insights In Focus: So you want to be a leader?
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...
04.04.2024
ICAEW Insights: A busy new tax year, plus progress on the Economic Crime Act
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...
03.22.2024
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Does Britain have a farming problem?
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...
03.08.2024
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Budget 2024 – does it change anything?
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...
02.29.2024
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Will accountants save the world? With ICAEW CEO Michael Izza
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...
02.08.2024
ICAEW Insights: ISQM, preparing and filing accounts, and public practice
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...
02.01.2024
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Where next for audit and governance reform?
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...
12.14.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: What can we expect from 2024?
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...
12.11.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: COP28 - making the business case for nature
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...
12.06.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: COP28 - what does transition planning mean for accountants?
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...
12.04.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: What’s in the Economic Crime Act 2023?
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...
11.06.2023
ICAEW Insights: ICAEW/CIPFA dual membership, cyber security trends, and economic renewal
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...
10.27.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: How to build a workforce of the future
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...
10.05.2023
ICAEW Insights: Building a resilient economy, plus self assessment deadlines
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...
09.28.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Why do good people do bad things?
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...
09.08.2023
ICAEW Insights: VAT exemptions for private schools and final CPD update
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...
09.01.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: The PM’s pledges: where are we now?
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...
08.11.2023
ICAEW Insights: ISSB standards, E-Commerce Trade Commission, and CPD update
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’...
07.28.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Commercial property - economic bellwether or laggard?
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?...
07.07.2023
ICAEW Insights: Digitalisation and gender bias in tax, plus CPD update
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...
06.29.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: can SMEs keep up with ESG?
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...
06.16.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: How can tax design better deliver tax policy?
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...
06.08.2023
ICAEW Insights: Cyber security, taxing green travel and public finances
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...
05.25.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Managing talent in a hybrid world
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...
05.05.2023
ICAEW Insights: VAT at 50, TAM Day and engaging in public practice
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...
04.28.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Getting SME investment back on track
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...
04.21.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Ageing population – a public finance timebomb?
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...
04.05.2023
ICAEW Insights: ChatGPT, corporation tax and FRED 82
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;...
03.31.2023
ICAEW In Focus: What's the problem with local audit?
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...
03.16.2023
ICAEW Insights: Budget 2023 - a hope or hindrance for business?
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...
03.02.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: How accountancy can win the talent war
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...
03.02.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: How is HMRC digitalising taxation?
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...
02.15.2023
ICAEW Insights: Carillion five years on – can we regulate ‘good’ judgement?
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...
02.14.2023
ICAEW Insights In Focus: How should a board approach exec pay and what are the risks of getting it wrong?
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 –...
01.25.2023
ICAEW Insights: How can accountants make sense of crypto?
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...
01.03.2023
ICAEW Insights: What can we expect from 2023?
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...
12.15.2022
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Untangling the events and impacts of 2022
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...
12.07.2022
ICAEW Insights In Focus: What’s in the second Economic Crime Bill?
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...
11.30.2022
ICAEW Insights In Focus: How will quantitative tightening affect the UK economy?
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...
11.25.2022
ICAEW Insights In Focus: How a Board should balance major strategic issues with staff retention and wellbeing
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...
11.21.2022
ICAEW Insights In Focus: How a board should maintain the right culture during periods of fast growth
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...
11.16.2022
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Countdown to ISQM 1 – is your practice ready?
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...
11.02.2022
ICAEW Insights: The energy crisis – what can businesses do?
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...
10.19.2022
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Protecting SMEs against cyber criminals
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...
10.12.2022
ICAEW Insights: Making sense of Russia, M&A and conflicts of interest
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...

What's Accountancy Insights about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Accountancy Insights episodes:

Behind the numbers: Groupthink – the boardroom’s most pervasive problem?

Accountancy Insights: Corporate reporting update and VAT on private hire vehicles

ICAEW Insights In Focus: AI in audit - the good, the bad and the ugly

ICAEW Insights: Company size thresholds and CGT on residences

ICAEW Insights In Focus: Lessons in leadership from ICAEW's CEO

ICAEW Insights In Focus: So you want to be a leader?

ICAEW Insights: A busy new tax year, plus progress on the Economic Crime Act

ICAEW Insights In Focus: Does Britain have a farming problem?

ICAEW Insights In Focus: Budget 2024 – does it change anything?

ICAEW Insights In Focus: Will accountants save the world? With ICAEW CEO Michael Izza

ICAEW Insights: ISQM, preparing and filing accounts, and public practice

ICAEW Insights In Focus: Where next for audit and governance reform?

ICAEW Insights In Focus: What can we expect from 2024?

ICAEW Insights In Focus: COP28 - making the business case for nature

ICAEW Insights In Focus: COP28 - what does transition planning mean for accountants?

ICAEW Insights In Focus: What’s in the Economic Crime Act 2023?

ICAEW Insights: ICAEW/CIPFA dual membership, cyber security trends, and economic renewal

ICAEW Insights In Focus: How to build a workforce of the future

ICAEW Insights: Building a resilient economy, plus self assessment deadlines

ICAEW Insights In Focus: Why do good people do bad things?

ICAEW Insights: VAT exemptions for private schools and final CPD update

ICAEW Insights In Focus: The PM’s pledges: where are we now?

ICAEW Insights: ISSB standards, E-Commerce Trade Commission, and CPD update

ICAEW Insights In Focus: Commercial property - economic bellwether or laggard?

ICAEW Insights: Digitalisation and gender bias in tax, plus CPD update

ICAEW Insights In Focus: can SMEs keep up with ESG?

ICAEW Insights In Focus: How can tax design better deliver tax policy?

ICAEW Insights: Cyber security, taxing green travel and public finances

ICAEW Insights In Focus: Managing talent in a hybrid world

ICAEW Insights: VAT at 50, TAM Day and engaging in public practice

ICAEW Insights In Focus: Getting SME investment back on track

ICAEW Insights In Focus: Ageing population – a public finance timebomb?

ICAEW Insights: ChatGPT, corporation tax and FRED 82

ICAEW In Focus: What's the problem with local audit?

ICAEW Insights: Budget 2023 - a hope or hindrance for business?

ICAEW Insights In Focus: How accountancy can win the talent war

ICAEW Insights In Focus: How is HMRC digitalising taxation?

ICAEW Insights: Carillion five years on – can we regulate ‘good’ judgement?

ICAEW Insights In Focus: How should a board approach exec pay and what are the risks of getting it wrong?

ICAEW Insights: How can accountants make sense of crypto?

ICAEW Insights: What can we expect from 2023?

ICAEW Insights In Focus: Untangling the events and impacts of 2022

ICAEW Insights In Focus: What’s in the second Economic Crime Bill?

ICAEW Insights In Focus: How will quantitative tightening affect the UK economy?

ICAEW Insights In Focus: How a Board should balance major strategic issues with staff retention and wellbeing

ICAEW Insights In Focus: How a board should maintain the right culture during periods of fast growth

ICAEW Insights In Focus: Countdown to ISQM 1 – is your practice ready?

ICAEW Insights: The energy crisis – what can businesses do?

ICAEW Insights In Focus: Protecting SMEs against cyber criminals

ICAEW Insights: Making sense of Russia, M&A and conflicts of interest