In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss the necessary ingredients to support economic growth.

It’s a clear priority for the government. An industrial strategy is due to be published in the coming months – with eight key sectors for the UK already identified – and reviews of taxation and regulation are also taking place. As the Spring Statement arrives on 26 March, our panel explores whether government policy is pulling all the right levers.

Host Philippa Lamb is joined by John Boulton, ICAEW Director of Policy; John Godfrey, Managing Director of Public Affairs and Research at TheCityUK; Anne Allibone, fractional CFO; and Peter Arnold, EY UK Chief Economist.

Links 

• ICAEW: Economy: https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• John Boulton, Director, Policy, ICAEW
• John Godfrey, Managing Director, Public Affairs and Research, TheCityUK 
• Peter Arnold, Chief Economist, EY UK
• Anne Allibone, fractional CFO, Allibone Consulting

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 25 March 2025
Podcast recorded: 21 March 2025

In this episode, we have a report by Mark Rowland from the ’20 Years of HMRC’ event held on 11 March at Chartered Accountants’ Hall, in which he speaks to James Murray, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, and Lord O’Donnell, former Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, among others, about the future of digitisation and HMRC.

Tax changes announced at the budget are coming into effect in April and one of the biggest concerns is the revisions to employers’ national insurance contributions and thresholds, as well as to NI employment allowances. Also changing is the way that double cab pick-ups are treated for tax purposes. 

Auditing of SMEs has come under FRC’s spotlight recently, and it has launched a market study to determine what is working and what it not under the current regulation, including the complexity and cost of auditing standards.

Philippa Lamb explores the latter two subjects with Stephen Relf, Technical Manager, Tax, ICAEW, and Catherine Hardinge, Partner, Technical, Price Bailey LLP.

Links 

• The future of a tax administration authority: https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2025/mar-2025/the-future-of-a-tax-administration-authority
• Ten tax changes taking effect from April 2025: https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/tax-faculty/taxline/articles/2025/ten-tax-changes-taking-effect-from-april-2025 
• Don’t forget April tax changes for double cab pick-ups, says ICAEW: https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2025/feb-2025/dont-forget-april-tax-changes-for-double-cab-pick-ups-says-icaew
• Is the FRC doing enough to support small audits?: https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/feb-2025/is-the-frc-doing-enough-to-support-small-audits

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Stephen Relf, Technical Manager, Tax, ICAEW
• Catherine Hardinge, Partner, Technical, Price Bailey LLP
• James Murray, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and chair of HMRC board
• Lord O’Donnell, former Permanent Secretary to the Treasury
• Heather Self, Consultant, Blick Rothenberg
• Paul Aplin, Vice-President, Chartered Institute of Taxation
• David Gauke, former Treasury minister
• Amanda Tickel, Head of Tax and Trade Policy, Deloitte

Producer

Natalie Chisholm  

Episode first published: 17 March 2025
Podcast recorded: 6 March 2025

In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss the appropriateness of employee ownership trusts (EOTs) for accountancy practices.

The majority of mid-tier accountancy and audit firms are still structured as limited liability partnerships. But, with nearly half of firms citing succession planning as a critical talent challenge, and private equity investors taking more interest in the sector, some firms are now looking at other options.

Philippa Lamb explores the key issues with Graeme Nuttall OBE, author of 2012’s Nuttall Review into employee ownership and International Ambassador for the Employee Ownership Association; Simon Blake, Head of Strategic Corporate Finance at Price Bailey; and Peter Hollis, whose firm recently became an EOT.

Links 

• ICAEW: Employee ownership: https://www.icaew.com/technical/business/business-start-up-and-finance/employee-ownership 
• Insight: employee ownership trusts: https://www.icaew.com/technical/corporate-finance/corporate-finance-resources/corporate-financier/2025/articles/february/insight-employee-ownership-trusts 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Graeme Nuttall OBE, International Ambassador, Employee Ownership Association
• Simon Blake, Head of Strategic Corporate Finance, Price Bailey
• Peter Hollis, Principal, Hollis & Co

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 3 March 2025
Podcast recorded: 24 February 2025

In this episode, we discuss the latest developments in President Trump’s tariffs rollout and how they may affect UK businesses. We also explore a new joint report by ICAEW and the Chartered Institute of Taxation into HMRC service standards, which includes research findings from 31 agent firms.

Philippa Lamb is joined in the studio by ICAEW’s Iain Wright, Managing Director of Reputation and Influence, and Ed Saltmarsh, Technical Manager for VAT and Customs.

Time codes

• 00:52 Trump tariffs update
• 15:17 HMRC service standards 

Links

• ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor: https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy/business-confidence-monitor 
• ICAEW-CIOT event: 20 years of HMRC – reflections and looking ahead: https://events.icaew.com/pd/30211/
• ICAEW podcast: The Tax Track: https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/the-tax-track 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Iain Wright, Managing Director, Reputation and Influence, ICAEW
• Ed Saltmarsh, Technical Manager, VAT and Customs, ICAEW

Producer

Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 13 February 2025
Podcast recorded: 6 February 2025

In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss continuous learning around technology and artificial intelligence.

For accountants, getting the most out of fast-evolving technologies involves more than simply training people how to use them. Judgement, communication and granular accountancy skills all come into play. So how can firms identify their training needs and what are the best ways to deliver that training?

Philippa Lamb explores the key issues with Jenny Blewett, Head of Finance at Costello Medical; Daniel Clark, business trainer and writer; and Julia Penny, Director at JS Penny and ICAEW past-President.

Links 

• ICAEW technology resources: https://www.icaew.com/technical/technology
• Mid-Tier Tech Forum: digital skills: https://events.icaew.com/pd/30692?code=ijMH8fKJCg

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Daniel Clark, business trainer and writer
• Julia Penny, Director, JS Penny; ICAEW past-President
• Jenny Blewett, Head of Finance, Costello Medical

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 30 January 2025
Podcast recorded: 23 January 2025

In this special episode of Accountancy Insights, we look ahead to the most significant events and trends anticipated in 2025.

Last year brought a new UK government and its controversial first Budget. With things now appearing more settled at home, the upcoming inauguration of President Trump in the US and the recent collapse of governments in Europe will bring new opportunities and challenges for the British economy.

For the third year, host Philippa Lamb is joined in forecasting by Iain Wright, ICAEW Managing Director of Reputation and Influence; Frances Haque, Chief Economist at Santander UK; and David Williamson, Political Editor of the Sunday Express.

Links 

ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor: https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy/business-confidence-monitor

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Iain Wright, Managing Director, Reputation and Influence, ICAEW
• David Williamson, Political Editor, Sunday Express
• Frances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UK

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 3 January 2025
Podcast recorded: 17 December 2024

In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss the progress of sustainability reporting.

Across the globe, sustainability reporting has become increasingly mandated for large organisations. Now, with the CSRD introduced in the European Union and the first two ISSB standards set to be endorsed by the UK, the challenge for accountants lies in ensuring that the quality of non-financial information matches that of financial information.

To discuss the key issues, Philippa Lamb is joined by Richard Spencer, ICAEW Director of Sustainability; David Wray, founder of ESG consultancy DWG and IESBA Ethics Board member; and Marie-Josée Privyk, ESG coach and adviser.

Links 

• ICAEW: Connecting sustainability and finance: https://www.icaew.com/technical/sustainability/resources-collection/connecting-sustainability-and-finance 
• ICAEW Sustainability Accelerator Programme: https://www.icaew.com/learning-and-development/icaew-sustainability-accelerator-programme

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Richard Spencer, Director, Sustainability, ICAEW
• Marie-Josée Privyk, ESG coach and adviser
• David Wray, Founder, DWG; IESBA Ethics Board member

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 12 December 2024
Podcast recorded: 5 December 2024

In this episode, we speak to Ray McCann, fresh from delivering this year’s Hardman Lecture on Monday 25 November, about regulating the provision of tax advice. Plus, Sophie Wales, ICAEW Director of Regulatory Policy, explains upcoming changes to the ICAEW Code of Ethics around professional behaviour.

Time codes

• 00:55 Regulating tax advice
• 08:09 New professional behaviour wording

Links

• ICAEW: Hardman Lecture shines spotlight on ‘shadow’ tax advisers: https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2024/nov-2024/hardman-lecture-shines-spotlight-on-shadow-tax-advisers
• ICAEW: The new Code of Ethics: understanding professional behaviour: https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2024/nov-2024/the-new-code-of-ethics-understanding-professional-behaviour 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Reporter

Mark Rowland

Guests

• Ray McCann, Consultant, Charter Tax
• Sophie Wales, Director of Regulatory Policy, ICAEW

Producer

Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 2 December 2024
Podcast recorded: 25 November 2024

In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss whether the filing of local authority audited accounts will ever get back on track.

Just 1% of local bodies published audited accounts on time for the 2022/23 [LE1] financial year. Now, the government has introduced backstop dates in the hopes of resetting the system, with the first arriving on 13 December. But will they anything change? And how should local authorities be managing the external audit process to ensure timely filing?

To answer those questions, host Philippa Lamb is joined by Alison Ring, ICAEW Director of Public Sector and Taxation; Cecilie Booth, Executive Director of Resources at Peterborough City Council; and Paul Dossett, Head of Public Sector, London and South East, at Grant Thornton UK.

Links 

• ICAEW Public Sector Conference: https://www.icaew.com/learning-and-development/events/public-sector-conference 
• ICAEW Local government finance: skills for the future: https://www.icaew.com/technical/public-sector/public-sector-financial-management/local-government-finance-skills-for-the-future 
• ICAEW Public Sector Community: https://www.icaew.com/groups-and-networks/communities/public-sector 
• ICAEW vision for local audit: https://www.icaew.com/technical/public-sector/public-sector-audit-and-assurance/uk-public-sector-audit/icaew-vision-for-local-audit

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Alison Ring, Director, Public Sector and Taxation, ICAEW
• Cecilie Booth, Executive Director of Resources, Peterborough City Council
• Paul Dossett, Head of Public Sector Assurance, London and South East, Grant Thornton UK

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 21 November 2024
Podcast recorded: 14 November 2024

In this special episode of Accountancy Insights, we discuss whether the Autumn Budget will provide a much-needed shot in the arm for business confidence and investment activity.

Philippa Lamb is joined by Iain Wright, Managing Director, Reputation and Influence, ICAEW; Frances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UK; and David Williamson, Political Editor, Sunday Express.

Links

• ICAEW: Autumn Budget 2024: https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy/autumn-budget-2024 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Iain Wright, Managing Director, Reputation and Influence, ICAEW
• Frances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UK
• David Williamson, Political Editor, Sunday Express

Producer

Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 1 November 2024
Podcast recorded: 31 October 2024