Accountancy Insights

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

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’ responsibilities under new CPD regulations launching 1 November 2023.

Philippa Lamb is joined by Sally Baker, Head of Corporate Reporting Strategy; Ed Saltmarsh, Technical Manager; and Sophie Wales; Head of Regulatory Affairs.

Links

• ICAEW non-financial reporting hub: www.icaew.com/nfr
• ICAEW: By All Accounts: www.icaew.com/byallaccounts
• ICAEW Corporate Reporting Faculty: www.icaew.com/joincrf
• ICAEW joins newly formed E-Commerce Trade Commission: www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2023/jun-2023/icaew-joins-newly-formed-e-commerce-trade-commission 
• ICAEW: CPD is changing: www.icaew.com/membership/cpd/cpd-is-changing
• ICAEW: Firm responsibilities for revised CPD Regulations: www.icaew.com/membership/cpd/cpd-is-changing/firm-responsibilities-for-revised-cpd-regulations
• ICAEW webinar - CPD is changing, is your firm ready?: https://events.icaew.com/pd/27422/cpd-is-changing-is-your-firm-ready?pk_vid=74016cd0fb237a4716914827100e0ced 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

·      Sally Baker, Head of Corporate Reporting Strategy, ICAEW

·      Ed Saltmarsh, Technical Manager, ICAEW

·      Sophie Wales, Head of Regulatory Affairs, ICAEW

Producer

Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 11 August 2023
Podcast recorded: 4 August 2023

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? And, with inflation remaining stubbornly persistent, what do trendlines in the sector tell us about the UK economy as a whole?

Host Philippa Lamb is joined by Suren Thiru, Director of Economies at ICAEW, and Mat Oakley, Head of European commercial research at Savills, to discuss the key issues.

Links

• ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor: https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy/business-confidence-monitor
• ICAEW Commercial Property hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/business/business-start-up-and-finance/commercial-property
• ICAEW Economy hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Suren Thiru, Director, Economies, ICAEW
• Mat Oakley, Head of European commercial research, Savills

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 28 July 2023
Podcast recorded: 24 July 2023