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 months. Looking at ICAEW’s Business Confidence Monitor and forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Bank of England, 2024 is likely to be another challenging year of low growth and weak business and consumer sentiment. As with recent years, uncertainty is set to be the only constant. 

A year on from making their predictions for 2023, host Philippa Lamb is again joined by Iain Wright, ICAEW Managing Director, 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
• ICAEW Resilience and Renewal hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy/resilience-and-renewal 

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: 15 December 2023
Podcast recorded: 11 December 2023

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 transition.

Mark is joined in the studio by Sarah Reay, Climate Change Manager, ICAEW; Jessica Fries, Executive Chair, A4S; and Mardi McBrien, Chief of Strategic Affairs and Capacity Building, IFRS Foundation. Reay and Fries discuss why it is essential that the transition to a sustainable global economy places nature and biodiversity at its heart. And McBrien shares how the IFRS Foundation is driving capacity building and how all accountants can get involved.

Access ICAEW’s Making COP Count content series for more insights on sustainability and the topics covered in this episode.

Links

• ICAEW: Making COP Count: http://www.icaew.com/making-cop-count

Host

Mark Rowland

Guests

• Sarah Reay, Climate Change Manager, ICAEW
• Jessica Fries, Executive Chair, A4S
• Mardi McBrien, Chief of Strategic Affairs and Capacity Building, IFRS Foundation

Producer

Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 11 December 2023
Podcast recorded: 9 December 2023

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 Climate Change Manager Sarah Reay and Resilience First’s Shazre Quamber-Hill explain why transition planning is a vital part of the COP28 agenda. And on the conference floor, LSE Professor Nick Robins and the Transition Plan Taskforce’s Nina Pimblett discuss the role that accountants and business will play in putting plans into action.

Access ICAEW’s Making COP Count content series for more insights on sustainability.

Links

• ICAEW: Making COP Count: http://www.icaew.com/making-cop-count

Host

Mark Rowland

Guests

• Sarah Reay, Climate Change Manager, ICAEW
• Shazre Quamber-Hill, Director, Strategy and Impact, Resilience First
• Nick Robins, Professor in Practice for Sustainable Finance, London School of Economics and Political Science
• Nina Pimblett, Sector Guidance Lead, Transition Plan Taskforce 

Producer

Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 5 December 2023
Podcast recorded: 4 December 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 to Companies House and reporting requirements for SMEs. Crucially, it also covers where accountability will lie for economic crime. Many of the details are yet to be ironed out, but it’s clear that accountants will take on much of the responsibility for delivering these changes. 

Host Philippa Lamb discusses what accountants need to know with Mike Miller, ICAEW Economic Crime Manager; Alun Milford, Partner at Kingsley Napley and former General Counsel at the Serious Fraud Office; and Alice Bessell, Finance Director at Brown & Bright.
 

Links 

• ICAEW Economic Crime hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/trust-and-ethics/economic-crime 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Mike Miller, Economic Crime Manager, ICAEW
• Alun Milford, Partner, Kingsley Napley
• Alice Bessell, Finance Director, Brown & Bright 

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 4 December 2023
Podcast recorded: 29 November 2023

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 points and learnings from this year’s Cyber Security Awareness Month and hear how ICAEW’s Resilience and Renewal campaign is progressing.

Philippa Lamb is joined by Will Holt, Managing Director of Education and Training; Bani Lamba, Data Analytics and Tech Manager; and Suren Thiru, Economies Director.

Links

• ICAEW: Dual membership expression of interest form: https://www.icaew.com/about-icaew/who-we-are/accelerated-route-to-gain-aca-and-cpfa-designation-and-dual-membership 
  
  
• Current route for ICAEW members to join CIPFA: https://www.cipfa.org/join/joining-from-another-membership-organisation 
  
  
• ICAEW Cyber Security Awareness Month 2023 hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/technology/cyber-security/cybercrime-awareness-month
  
  
• ICAEW Resilience and Renewal hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy/resilience-and-renewal 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Will Holt, Managing Director, Education and Training, ICAEW
• Bani Lamba, Data Analytics and Tech Manager, ICAEW
• Suren Thiru, Director, Economies, ICAEW

Producer

Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 3 November 2023
Podcast recorded: 26 October 2023

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 ICAEW’s Business Confidence Monitor has flagged a lack of non-management skills as an escalating challenge for the nation’s employers. 
 
So, how can we tackle these big, structural problems in the economy? Host Philippa Lamb discusses possible solutions with Suren Thiru, ICAEW Economies Director; Dan Lucy, HR Research and Consulting Director at the Institute for Employment Studies; and April Homer, Chief People Officer at accountancy practice Cooper Parry. 
 
Links  
ICAEW Resilience and Renewal hub 
https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy/resilience-and-renewal 
 
ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor 
https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy/business-confidence-monitor  
 
Host 
Philippa Lamb 
 
Guests 
Suren Thiru, Director, Economies, ICAEW  
Daniel Lucy, Director, HR Research and Consulting, Institute for Employment Studies  
April Homer, Chief People Officer, Cooper Parry   
 
Producer 
Natalie Chisholm 
 
Episode first published: 27 October 2023 
Podcast recorded: 18 October 2023 

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 in addressing them. Plus, we share key deadlines for those filing self assessment returns and the penalties that may be handed down should they be missed.

Philippa Lamb is joined by ICAEW’s Suren Thiru, Economies Director, and Mei Lim Cooper, Technical Manager, Personal Tax.

Links

• Resilience and renewal: building an economy fit for the future: https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy/resilience-and-renewal 
• UK Regions: Economic Summit (9 November 2023): https://events.icaew.com/pd/27584/uk-regions-economic-summit-9-november-2023 
• Self assessment registration deadline approaches: https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2023/sep-2023/self-assessment-registration-deadline-approaches 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Suren Thiru, Director, Economies, ICAEW
• Mei Lim Cooper, Technical Manager, Personal Tax, ICAEW

Producer

Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 6 October 2023
Podcast recorded: 29 September 2023

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 natural fit for a profession that has a deep understanding of business and a professional duty to act in the public interest, but it’s also a weighty responsibility where situations aren’t always black-and-white.

To discuss how accountants can best inhabit this role, as well as ensuring they are acting ethically themselves, host Philippa Lamb is joined by Laura Hough, ICAEW director of trust and ethics, and Christopher Cowton, emeritus professor at the University of Huddersfield and associate of the Institute of Business Ethics.

Links 

• ICAEW Ethics hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/trust-and-ethics/ethics
• ICAEW technical and ethics support: https://www.icaew.com/membership/support-throughout-your-career/technical-and-ethics-support 
• ICAEW Continuing Professional Development: https://www.icaew.com/membership/cpd 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Laura Hough, director, trust and ethics, ICAEW
• Christopher Cowton, emeritus professor, University of Huddersfield; associate, Institute of Business Ethics

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 29 September 2023
Podcast recorded: 11 September 2023

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 purse. Plus, in our final CPD update before the new regulations come into force on 1 November, we answer ICAEW members’ most frequently asked questions. 

Philippa Lamb is joined by ICAEW’s Ed Saltmarsh, Technical Manager, and Liz Shaw, Senior Manager, Professional Standards. 

Links 
 

• ICAEW TAXline: https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/tax-faculty/taxline
• ICAEW: Would removing the VAT exemption for private schools make VAT simpler?: https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/tax-faculty/taxline/2023/articles/would-removing-the-vat-exemption-for-private-schools-make-vat-simpler
• ICAEW Continuing Professional Development: https://www.icaew.com/membership/cpd
• ICAEW CPD learning resources: https://www.icaew.com/membership/cpd/cpd-resources 

Host 

Philippa Lamb 

Guests 

• Ed Saltmarsh, Technical Manager, ICAEW 
• Liz Shaw, Senior Manager, Professional Standards, ICAEW 

Producer 

Natalie Chisholm  

Episode first published: 8 September 2023
Podcast recorded: 4 September 2023 

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 of those related to indicators of economic and fiscal health: halving inflation, stimulating growth, and reducing the national debt. With 2024 rapidly approaching, how is the Prime Minister faring in meeting his goals?

Host Philippa Lamb is again joined by Iain Wright, Managing Director, Reputation and Influence, at ICAEW, and Frances Haque, Chief Economist at Santander UK, to discuss the key issues.

Links

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

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Iain Wright, Managing Director, Reputation and Influence, ICAEW
• Frances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UK

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 1 September 2023
Podcast recorded: 29 August 2023