Accountancy Insights

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 Director
• George Oliver, Audit Associate, KPMG
• Chris Lawton, Group MD, Executive Search, Robert Half

Producer
Natalie Chisholm

Series Lead
Mark Rowland

Episode first published: 15 April
Podcast recorded: 11 March

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 Directors
• Tess Buckley, Expert and Senior Programme Manager in Digital Ethics & AI at TechUK
• Tom Pugh, RSM Chief Economist

Producer
Natalie Chisholm

Series Lead
Mark Rowland

Episode first published: 1 April
Podcast recorded: 27 March

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 Assurance
• Richard Barker, a member of the International Sustainability Standards Board

Producer 

Natalie Chisholm

Series Lead

Mark Rowland

Episode first published: 10 March
Podcast recorded: 9 February

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-digital
• ICAEW: MTD: How to prepare your clients - https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2026/jan-2026/mtd-how-to-prepare-your-clients
• ICAEW: 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-frs105
• ICAEW: Government publishes UK Sustainability Reporting Standards - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/feb-2026/government-publishes-uk-sustainability-reporting-standards
• Regulation plan update: Modernisation of Corporate Reporting - https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-10-21/hcws973
• ICAEW: 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-18
• ICAEW: IFRS 18 fact sheet (ICAEW members only) - https://www.icaew.com/restrictedmedia?mediaItemId=03545ebb-a068-48eb-b50c-13eede0e3804

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Sally Baker, Head of Corporate Reporting Strategy, ICAEW
• Rebecca Benneyworth, ICAEW Chartered Accountant

Producer 

Natalie Chisholm

Series Lead

Mark Rowland

Episode first published: 4 March

Podcast recorded: 23 and 25 February

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 Oracle
• Zana Goic Petricevic, leadership transformation expert
• Richard Davis, founder and CEO, FNLY

Producer

Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 10 February 2026
Podcast recorded: 21 January 2026

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 ICAEW
• Catherine Hardinge, Partner, Price Bailey    

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 3 February 2026

Podcast recorded: 28 January 2026

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, ICAEW
• Jessica Caws, Co-Head of Financial Services at Birketts LLP
• Shermeen Kazmi, Partner, Grant Thornton

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 12 January 2026

Podcast recorded: 16 December 2025

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, ICAEW
• David Williamson, Political Editor, Sunday Express
• Frances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UK

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 31 December 2025
Podcast recorded: 15 December 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, ICAEW
• David Williamson, Chief Political Commentator, The Express 
• Frances Haque, Santander Chief Economist 
• Neil Hare-Brown, Founder, STORM Guidance
• Michael Hoare, partner, Kekst CNC
• Paul Guess, Case Management Officer at CABA
• Riaz Shah OBE, Professor of Practice, Hult International Business School
• Tony Moore, Lecturer in Finance, Henley Business School
• Polly Tsang, Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager, ICAEW

Producer

• Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 18 December

Podcast recorded: 7 November 2025

This episode is all about the Budget. What was in it? What are the implications? Was there anything positive to glean from it? 

Stepping in for Philippa Lamb on this episode, Guy Ruddle speaks to the usual economic dream team of Santander Chief Economist Frances Haque, David Williamson, who joins us from Portcullis House, and Iain Wright, ICAEW’s Chief Policy and Communications Officer. 

They share their views on the early publication of the OBR’s projections, the constant leaking ahead of the Budget, the economic implications of the measures included within it, and who it was actually for. 

Time codes

01’53”: The OBR’s leaked report

05’48”: The content of the Budget and its implications

10’07”: The lack of growth measures

Links

• ICAEW: Budget 25: Do the tax changes meet the tenets? - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/the-tax-track/budget-25-do-the-tax-changes-meet-the-tenets

Host

• Guy Ruddle

Guests

• Frances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander
• David Williamson, Chief Political Commentator, The Express
• Iain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, ICAEW

Producer

• Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 1 December 2025

Podcast recorded: 27 November 2025