Explore every episode of the podcast Accountancy Insights
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
Behind the Numbers: Is AI accelerating the brain drain?
13 Apr 2026
00:34:46
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
Chris Lawton, Group MD, Executive Search, Robert Half
Producer Natalie Chisholm
Series Lead Mark Rowland
Episode first published: 15 April Podcast recorded: 11 March
Accountancy Insights: What does the Iran conflict really mean for British Business?
31 Mar 2026
00:36:04
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
Accountancy Insights: How should audit firms use AI?
11 Nov 2025
00:21:45
This episode focuses on the integration of AI in audit processes, emphasising the need for practical guidance from the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) to build industry confidence, especially with smaller firms. The conversation highlighted the importance of human oversight, the role of third-party technology providers, the challenges of explainability and data security, and the need for clear communication with clients.
Philippa Lamb is joined by Ramana McConnon, Head of Assurance Technology at the FRC, Jon Morris, Director of Audit and Professional Standards for Grant Thornton, and Martin Brown, Gen AI lead in Deloitte’s Audit technical team.
Time codes
04’50”: Discovering the AI use cases and benefits of the new technology for smaller firms
13’49”: Understanding explainability and the need for human oversight with AI solutions
18’25”: Are off-the-shelf solutions enough and will firms need to make big investments?
Links
ICAEW: FRC publishes landmark guidance on the uses of AI in audit - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/jul-2025/frc-publishes-landmark-guidance-on-the-uses-of-ai-for-audit
FRC guidance on audit and AI - https://media.frc.org.uk/documents/AI_in_Audit.pdf
ICAEW: AI in audit: opportunities and challenges - https://www.icaew.com/technical/audit-and-assurance/faculty-resources/webcasts/ai-in-audit
Host
Philippa Lamb
Guests
Ramana McConnon, Head of Assurance Technology at the FRC
Jon Morris, Director of Audit and Professional Standards for Grant Thornton
Martin Brown, Gen AI lead in Deloitte’s Audit technical team
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 11 November 2025
Podcast recorded: 7 November 2025
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Levelling Up won’t leave with Boris, and the big opportunity ahead
21 Jul 2022
00:42:53
In this special edition of Insights In Focus, Iain Wright, ICAEW’s Managing Director, Reputation & Influence, is joined by Majeed Neky, Head of Policy, Levelling Up Taskforce at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Gill Morris, Chief Executive, Devo Connect and Sarah Longlands, Chief Executive, Centre for Local Economic Strategies.
In the interregnum between Boris Johnson’s resignation speech and a new leader taking over, it’s easy to declare an end to the Conservatives’ flagship Levelling Up policy. But Majeed and Gill are quick to tell Iain how unlikely that is. As Majeed points out: “The diagnosis of the problem is very difficult to argue with, it’s going to be a priority under a government of whatever stripe.”
Regional inequality has been a blight on the UK population and economy for over a century and generations of politicians have struggled with the issue. As the guests point out, the analysis in February’s White Paper comprehensively detailed a lot of the problem. The much harder bit, of course, is solving it. Our guests discuss the importance of devolving decision-making away from Westminster – and why that is likely to continue – the huge role that business, R&D, new jobs and new skills will play in creating a better, more balanced economy and the opportunities that will create across the country. Finally, they outline why chartered accountants have a crucial job to do.
They also discuss the biggest benefits of getting this right: the UK lags behind many of its G7 counterparts on inequality. This is a debilitating state of affairs. In some parts of the country – one of the richest in the world – life expectancy is falling. A baby born in Blackpool tomorrow is not only likely to have a considerably shorter life than a baby born tomorrow in Wokingham, but is also likely to spend twice the amount of its life in ill health. Time for us all to help build a better economy, whatever slogan is attached to it.
Guests - Majeed Neky, Head of Policy, Levelling Up Taskforce at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities - Gill Morris, Chief Executive, Devo Connect - Sarah Longlands, Chief Executive, Centre for Local Economic Strategies
Episode first published: 22 July 2022 Podcast recorded: 13 July 2022
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Recession? What recession? Time for business to stop worrying and start investing
18 Jul 2022
00:34:05
In this special edition of Insights In Focus, Iain Wright, ICAEW’s Managing Director, Reputation and Influence is joined by Kitty Ussher, Chief Economist at the Institute of Directors, and Suren Thiru, ICAEW’s Director, Economies.
Talking on the morning that UK GDP figures for May were released showing an unexpected return to economic growth, Kitty and Suren both tell Iain why managers and business owners should be more confident in the economy’s medium-term health. Inflation rates are likely to come back within a manageable margin by next year, and the fundamentals of the UK economy are in better shape than many business leaders think.
As Kitty points out, “Everyone’s feeling worried at the moment. That means your competitors are also feeling worried. And so if you think the fundamentals of your business are actually okay … then you should be investing for your future because it may be that your competitors are too nervous to do so.”
Beyond advising everyone to stop worrying, the team also discuss why the labour market is so hot, how the government should help ease the staff shortages so many businesses face, and what changes to economic policy will really make a difference to the UK’s companies.
And finally, when we have a new Conservative government eight weeks from now, what would Kitty and Suren advise the next Chancellor to focus on. Would you agree?
Guests - Kitty Ussher, Chief Economist at the Institute of Directors - Suren Thiru, Director, Economies, ICAEW
Host Iain Wright, Managing Director, Reputation and Influence, ICAEW
Episode first published: 18 July 2022 Podcast recorded: 13 July 2022
ICAEW Insights: The pain – and potential gains – of rising inflation
13 Jul 2022
00:19:58
On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast, we speak to Martin Wheatcroft about rising inflation and what that means for businesses, plus capital allowances reforms.
Inflation is rising at a record pace across the world, triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbated by a perfect storm of world events, including the war in Ukraine. We explore the impacts of this, both negative and positive, and what it might mean for public finances.
We also take a look at the government’s plans for capital allowance reforms. As the end of the superdeducton approaches, the UK government is considering reforms to capital allowances to support and encourage business investment. ICAEW has responded to the government plans. Richard Jones from ICAEW’s Tax Faculty to discuss this and the ongoing delays to R&D processing.
Guests: - Martin Wheatcroft, financial strategy consultant - Richard Jones, ICAEW’s technical manager, business tax
Producer: Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 14 July 2022 Podcast recorded: June 2022
ICAEW Insights In Focus: What are the issues with tackling fraud?
30 Jun 2022
00:21:30
In this Insights In Focus episode, we take a look at the upward trend in instances of fraud: what factors make it easier for fraudsters, and what can the profession do about it?
Instances of fraud have been on the rise since 2019, particularly during the pandemic, as economic criminals exploited new weaknesses created as a result of the rapid introduction of COVID-19 measures.
Last month, the UK government issued its feedback statement on audit and corporate governance reform, which outlined how auditors and businesses should monitor and respond to potential instances of fraud.
What’s the real picture when it comes to the prevalence of fraud? We look at the common types of fraud, the challenges of trying to combat it, the red flags that accountants might come across, and how professionals should respond.
Host: Philippa Lamb
Guests: - Arun Chauhan, founder of Tenet Law and Fraud Advisory Panel trustee. - Chris Osborne, partner and head of the forensic services team, FRP.
Episode published: 5 July 2022 Podcast recorded: 27 June 2022
ICAEW Insights: Levelling up - data and devolution
07 Jun 2022
00:23:48
On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast, we speak to Ed Humpherson, Director General of The Office for Statistics Regulation about the importance of data for the Levelling Up agenda.
The levelling up agenda aims to bring a better balance to the UK economy, but this is no easy undertaking, involving huge infrastructure projects and changes to everything from tax to devolution to regional funding. Ed discusses the importance of good data in moving the Levelling up agenda, where the critical gaps lie, and how statistics can be used to monitor and measure progress.
Then, ICAEW’s Head of Taxation Strategy Frank Haskew discusses the possibilities for the further devolution of tax, in light of Levelling up. He weighs up the pros and cons of what is a complex and divisive issue.
Guests: - Ed Humpherson, Director General of The Office for Statistics Regulation. - Frank Haskew, Head of Taxation Strategy, ICAEW.
Producer: Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 7 June 2022 Podcast recorded: May 2022
ICAEW Insights: Economic crime, Russia/Ukraine and the Spring Statement
29 Mar 2022
00:31:08
The horrific situation in Ukraine has had wide-ranging impacts and implications across the world, not least the fight against economic crime.
In the UK, this is a huge undertaking. Will the new Economic Crime Act make a difference? Solicitor and economic crime specialist Matt Corn discusses the climate for economic crime in the UK and how the new Act will work in the context of existing UK law.
Last week, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his Spring Statement with expectations high for measures to lessen the pain of inflation, rising energy and fuel costs, and the larger cost of living crisis. Did he do enough?
Frank Haskew, Head of Taxation Strategy, Tax for ICAEW, analyses the Chancellor’s decisions and discusses the implications of high inflation.
Guests: - Matt Corn, economic crime specialist solicitor, Olliers. - Frank Haskew, Head of Taxation Strategy, Tax, ICAEW.
Producer: Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 30 March 2022 Podcast recorded: 24 March 2022
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Death and digital assets
21 Mar 2022
00:40:12
In this Insights in Focus episode, we look at what happens to your digital assets after you die.
A large proportion of our lives are now lived online. The digital footprint of the average person on the street is getting bigger and bigger. Some of that includes assets that we really value, both from an emotional and financial perspective. Journalist and author Jamie Bartlett looks to answer the question: what happens to those assets when we die, and what do we need to consider?
Catherine Mayer understands how hard it can be to deal with a loved one’s digital assets. When her husband, Andy Gill, guitarist from the band Gang Of Four, died in 2020, his death trended on Twitter. Getting hold of his digital assets and accounts has been an uphill battle. She speaks about her experiences and what she’s learned from them.
Then Elaine Kasket, Bereavement Lead at the Digital Legacy Association and author of All the Ghosts in the Machine, explains the various complexities of people’s digital afterlife. David Lyford-Tilley, ICAEW’s Technical Manager, Tech and the Profession, gives a technology and legal perspective on how to manage your digital legacy.
Host: Jamie Bartlett, technology journalist and author
Guests: - Catherine Mayer, activist, journalist, co-founder of Women’s Equality Party and Primadonna Festival, author, 'Good Grief: Embracing Life at a Time of Death'. - Elaine Kasket, psychologist, Bereavement Lead at the Digital Legacy Association, author, 'All the Ghosts in the Machine: The Digital Afterlife of Your Personal Data'. - David Lyford-Tilley, Technical Manager, Tech and the Profession.
Episode published: 22 March 2022 Podcast recorded: 11 March 2022
ICAEW Insights: Digital assets and inflation issues
28 Feb 2022
00:20:16
On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast, we speak to Jamie Bartlett, author and presenter about the importance of digital assets.
These assets can include NFTs, cryptocurrencies and prizes email addresses and social media handles. What happens to them when we die? Jamie discusses how to look after your digital shadow.
Then, Sunday Times Economics Editor and author David Smith discusses the conditions that have created the rising inflation we’re seeing in the UK. Are those conditions easing? What will this mean for the cost of living? What’s the impact of the Great Resignation? Who suffers most from high inflation?
Links to resources on topics discussed in the show:
Episode first published: 28 February 2022 Podcast recorded: 21 February 2022
ICAEW Insights In Focus: How do we tackle domestic modern slavery?
16 Feb 2022
00:30:04
We take a look at the issue of domestic modern slavery, and how authorities and prosecutors look to build a case under the Modern Slavery Act.
Before the Modern Slavery Act came into force in 2015, criminals would get a longer sentence for moving 3kg of cocaine than for trafficking 300 people. It is a critical piece of legislation in tackling modern slavery in the UK, where it is still a significant issue.
Businesses are feeling considerable pressure as a result of rising inflation, supply chain issues, and other spiralling costs. Some struggle to find the workers they need. This could mean greater bargaining power for workers; equally it could mean greater numbers of people being coerced.
In challenging times, some people are willing to push, and breach, the limits to succeed, or simply survive. Such conditions can also heighten the risk of modern slavery, and Chartered Accountants need to be aware of the risks and know what to look out for.
Host: Philippa Kelly, Director of Financial Services, ICAEW
Guests: - Caroline Haughey OBE QC, barrister, Furnival Chambers, who prosecuted the very first case brought under the Modern Slavery Act; - Laura Thomas, Senior Prevention and Partnerships Officer of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (the GLAA); and - Dipak Vashi, Sustainability Manager at ICAEW.
Episode published: 15 February 2022 Podcast recorded: 8 February 2022
ICAEW Insights: Charity challenges, non-financial misconduct and tax fraud
20 Jan 2022
00:34:37
In this episode of ICAEW Insights, we look at the issues facing charities in the UK, the increasing focus of regulators, investors and stakeholders on non-financial misconduct and what’s new with tax.
Host and ICAEW financial services director Philippa Kelly is joined by the Institute’s head of charities and voluntary sector, Kristina Kopic, to discuss the challenges the sector has faced over the past two years. It has been difficult for charities to both operate sustainably and support users at a time when they particularly need it.
Barrister at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square and Financial Services Faculty Board Member Nikesh Pandit discussed the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) increased focus on non-financial misconduct. The FCA takes a fairly strong stance on non-financial misconduct; some individuals have been banned from working in the financial services industry because of it. Nikesh looks at the parallels for Chartered Accountants.
Finally, Lindsey Wicks, ICAEW’s technical editor, tax, looks at the latest tax news, including the deferment of the new VAT penalty regime and HMRC’s briefing on its approach to tax fraud.
Guests: - Kristina Kopic, Head of Charities and Voluntary Sector, ICAEW. - Nikesh Pandit, Barrister, 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square and Financial Services Faculty Board Member. - Lindsey Wicks, Technical Editor, Tax, ICAEW.
Producer: Natalie Chisholm
Episode published: 20 January 2022 Episode recorded 17 January 2022
Accountancy Insights: LLMs and spreadsheets, Companies House IDV, and the OBR’s role
28 Oct 2025
00:34:11
In this episode, we’re exploring just how useful Large Language Models (LLMs) are when it comes to spreadsheets; what needs to happen by 18 November when it comes to Companies House ID verification; and how the OBR comes to its conclusions.
Host Philippa Lamb is joined by Simon Thorne, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, Cardiff Metropolitan University, to talk about his research into LLMs' effectiveness when it comes to spotting errors in spreadsheets, with some clear winners and losers from the process.
Next, Mike Miller, ICAEW’s Economic Crime Manager, gives an update on Companies House ID verification and what Directors and accounting firms have to do to prepare. Finally, Martin Wheatcroft, Advisor on public finances for ICAEW, explains the role and methodology of the OBR.
Time codes:
Spreadsheets and AI – 01’06”
Companies House ID Verification – 13’28”
How the OBR works – 23’14”
Transcript
You can read a full transcript of the episode here: https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/oct-2025/the-best-and-worst-genais-for-spreadsheets
Links:
ICAEW: The best and worst gen AIs for spreadsheets - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/oct-2025/the-best-and-worst-genais-for-spreadsheets
Simon Thorne’s study on LLMs and spreadsheets - https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.17330
ICAEW: Authorised corporate service providers (ACSP) and ID verification - https://www.icaew.com/regulation/aml-supervision/aml-resources/acsp-and-id-verification
ICAEW: ID verification is coming – everything directors need to know - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/oct-2025/co-house-id-changes-what-directors-need-to-know
ICAEW: ID verification is coming – everything accounting firms need to know - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/oct-2025/co-house-id-changes-what-accountants-need-to-know
ICAEW: Companies House: who needs to be an ACSP and when should they register? - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/aug-2025/companies-house-who-needs-to-be-an-acsp-and-when-should-they-register
UK productivity downgraded - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0rpve82jxvo
Rachel Reeves v the OBR: chancellor aims to loosen the watchdog’s grip - https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/oct/11/rachel-reeves-v-the-obr-chancellor-aims-to-loosen-the-watchdogs-grip
Labour fury at OBR is understandable but misplaced - https://www.ft.com/content/f1b53cb4-ba83-4b0a-a8f3-65ffab93b299
New Economics Foundation – A democratic fiscal framework - https://neweconomics.org/2025/08/a-democratic-fiscal-framework
Host
Philippa Lamb
Guests
Simon Thorne, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, Cardiff Metropolitan University
Mike Miller, Economic Crime Manager, ICAEW
Martin Wheatcroft, Advisor on public finances, ICAEW
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 28 October 2025
Podcast recorded: 22nd October 2025
All views expressed on this podcast are those of the contributors and don’t necessarily reflect those of ICAEW or its members.
ICAEW Insights In Focus: What to expect from 2022 – part 2
23 Dec 2021
00:23:09
In the second of a two-part special Insights In Focus podcast, ICAEW Chief Executive Michael Izza discusses non-financial reporting, public sector finances, and the big tech trends of 2022.
At the end of 2021, we saw some significant developments towards a coherent framework for non-financial reporting standards. The formation of the International Sustainability Standards Board by IFRS in November was a huge step forward.
But if we’re going to make progress in tackling climate change issues, we will have to deal with the rising levels of public debt. Fiscal resilience will be under the spotlight as much as sustainability issues.
Emerging technologies are also transforming the way we live and work, from the need for new data skills to the digitalisation of tax.
The implications of all of this are discussed in part two of our special Insights In Focus podcast.
Host: Michael Izza, Chief Executive, ICAEW
Guests: Philippa Kelly, ICAEW’s Director of Financial Services; Richard Spencer, Director of Sustainability; Alison Ring, Director of Public Sector and Taxation; and David Lyford-Tilley, Technical Manager, Tech and the Profession
Episode published: 04 January 2022 Podcast recorded: 30 November 2021
ICAEW Insights In Focus: What to expect from 2022 – part 1
23 Dec 2021
00:22:40
In the first ICAEW In Focus podcast of 2022, Chief Executive Michael Izza looks at the biggest issues facing business and the wider economy, with help from experts from around the Institute.
The global economy is going through significant change at the moment, some of it long term, some of it short. For instance, we’re seeing the start of a gradual transition away from fossil fuels, starting with coal. At the same time, we’re seeing a huge increase in inflation – a symptom of more immediate economic challenges.
With the messages from COP26 still ringing in our ears, businesses and governments are considering how to turn promises into action. Much has been made of the ‘green and fair recovery’ as we come out of the pandemic. We will need new skills in order to facilitate that.
In the first part of an in-depth discussion between ICAEW Chief Executive Michael Izza and its experts in sustainability, the public sector, financial services and technology, we look at the impacts of COP26, how to cope with rising inflation, and the skills and jobs needed for the economy to ‘level up’.
Host: Michael Izza, Chief Executive, ICAEW
Guests: - Philippa Kelly, ICAEW’s Director of Financial Services; - Richard Spencer, Director of Sustainability; - Alison Ring, Director of Public Sector and Taxation; and - David Lyford-Tilley, Technical Manager, Tech and the Profession.
Episode published: 04 January 2022 Podcast recorded: 30 November 2021
ICAEW Insights: Greenwashing, EBITDAC and TAM Day
16 Dec 2021
00:32:49
Welcome to this ICAEW Insights podcast, where we analyse the latest news from the world of accountancy, business and finance.
On the show, ICAEW’s financial services director Philippa Kelly joins host Tom Herbert to assess the potential for regulating ‘greenwashing’ and ask whether 2022 will be another year of calculating EBITDAC for the nation’s businesses.
ICAEW Tax Faculty’s Lindsey Wicks puts the government’s Tax Administration and Maintenance day under the microscope and outlines the next milestone in the government’s phased timetable for border controls with the EU.
And joining the podcast to outline the challenges posed to local audit by the pandemic and the steps auditors are taking to overcome them is Ann-Marie Harkin from Audit Wales and Oliver Simms from ICAEW’s public sector team.
Host: Tom Herbert, online editor ICAEW Insights, We Are Sunday
Guests: - Philippa Kelly, Director, Financial Services at ICAEW. - Lindsey Wicks, Technical Editor, ICAEW Tax Faculty. - Ann-Marie Harkin, Executive Director for Audit Services, Audit Wales. - Oliver Simms, Manager, Public Sector Audit and Assurance at ICAEW.
Producer: Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 16 December 2021 Episode recorded: 13 and 14 December 2021
ICAEW Insights In Focus: What next after COP26?
29 Nov 2021
00:40:55
On the latest Insights In Focus podcast, we reflect as the dust settles on the COP26 discussions in Glasgow, it’s time to assess and reflect on what was – and wasn’t – achieved.
For almost 30 years, governments and policy makers have been meeting at the Conference Of Parties (COP) to try to solve the problem of climate change. In that time, it has gone from a seemingly distant issue to an imminent existential threat.
Paris 2015 was the first major COP event to feel significant to the wider population. There, governments agreed to limit global warming to below two degrees, with an ultimate goal to keep it to 1.5 degrees. To achieve this, countries would adapt to the impacts of a changing climate, and make funds available to deliver on those aims.
Six years on from the Paris Agreement, COP26 felt like a crunch point: it was essential for the assorted countries to make progress and outline a plan that would further limit emissions.
Now that COP26 is over and done with, is the new agreement enough? This podcast explores what happened at Glasgow and what it means for business and the accountancy profession.
Host: Richard Spencer, Director of Sustainability, ICAEW
Guests: - Kate Levick. The Associate Director, Sustainable Finance, at the leading climate change think tank E3G. Kate leads E3G's activities in Sustainable Finance. She is responsible for overseeing E3G’s work on public and private finance including systemic financial reform and is a veteran of many COP meetings. - Mark Gough. The CEO of the Capitals Coalition, a collaboration of businesses and other organisations from across the global economy focused on embedding social, human and natural capital into organisational decision-making. Mark has worked extensively in the private sector, leading programs and strategy for the Crown Estate and Reed Elsevier (now RELX), as well as advising many more. - Jessica Fries. Jessica is Executive Chair of Accounting for Sustainability. Established by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2004, its aim is to transform finance to make sustainable business, business as usual. While at A4S, Jessica has been responsible for establishing the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), as well as A4S’s CFO Leadership Network and capital markets programme.
Episode first published: 29 November 2021 Podcast recorded: 25 November 2021
ICAEW Insights: SME recovery, sustainability standards and cryptoassets nudge
18 Nov 2021
00:33:39
Welcome to this ICAEW Insights podcast, where we analyse the latest news from the world of accountancy, business and finance.
On the show, we speak to Small Business Minister Paul Scully about how the government intends to help small businesses hit hard by the pandemic, what chartered accountants working in or advising small businesses can do, and how to tackle the UK’s productivity puzzle.
With the resolutions from the COP26 climate conference fresh in our minds, ICAEW’s Sarah Dunn outlines why the formation of the International Sustainability Standards Board (or ISSB) is an important step forwards for better-quality climate disclosures.
And ICAEW Tax Faculty’s Lindsey Wicks unpacks key pieces of legislation from the recent Finance Bill, assesses HMRC’s efforts to clear a backlog of self assessment registrations, and outlines the content of recent ‘nudge’ letters sent to holders of cryptoassets encouraging them to consider their capital gains tax position.
Host: Tom Herbert, online editor ICAEW Insights, We Are Sunday
Guests: - Paul Scully, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets, Minister for London and MP for Sutton and Cheam. - Sarah Dunn, Technical Manager Financial Reporting, ICAEW. - Lindsey Wicks, Technical Editor, ICAEW Tax Faculty.
Producers: Natalie Chisholm and Guy Lessor
Episode first published: 18 November 2021 Episode recorded: 15 and 16 November 2021
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Prizing the public pound
27 Oct 2021
00:19:43
On the latest ICAEW Insights in Focus podcast, we take a look at The Fabian Society’s new pamphlet on delivering value for money on public spending.
Transparency in public spending has never been more important. With public services under increasing pressure, government debt rising and targets in areas such as carbon emissions to be met, any spending must be backed with evidence that it will deliver value to the taxpayer.
The Fabian Society, Britain’s oldest think tank, has been developing ideas around progressive political ideas and public policy for 140 years. Its recent pamphlet 'Prizing the public pound', outlines its thoughts and recommendations on how to deliver value for money to the taxpayer in the 2020s.
In it, the Fabian Society reviews the current architecture for public audit and value for money, recommending that all expenditure proposals should be assessed against its five ‘E’s of value for money: Effectiveness, Efficiency, Equity – ensuring fair allocation of resources to meet need, Equality – pursuing both equality of opportunity and addressing all forms of inequality, and Environmental sustainability.
The pamphlet’s authors, John Tizard and David Walker, sat down with ICAEW’s Director of Public Sector and Taxation Alison Ring to discuss the recommendations within the pamphlet and the wider context in which it was written.
Host: Alison Ring, Director of Public Sector and Taxation, ICAEW
Guests: - John Tizard. A strategic adviser and commentator focusing on public policy, public services, and governance. John is a former county councillor and joint council leader, and has extensive board experience in the public sector, in business, and in charity, social business and arts organisations. - David Walker. David is an honorary member of CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. He was Managing Director for communications and public reporting at the Audit Commission before it was disbanded. He was previously an editor of Guardian Public and has co-authored books with Polly Toynbee, including 'The Lost Decade' and 'The Verdict – Did Labour Change Britain?'. - Martin Wheatcroft. Martin is an adviser and author on public finances who works closely with the ICAEW Public Sector team. He helped write ICAEW’s response to the Fabian Society pamphlet. Martin has extensive business experience as a former Big Four auditor, a chief accountant and a financial controller in international businesses. He is the author of several of ICAEW’s Better Government Series publications, ICAEW’s chart of the week and the Simply UK Government Finances series of books.
Episode first published: 27 October 2021 Podcast recorded: 15 October 2021
ICAEW Insights: Autumn Budget and Spending Review: turbocharge or temperance?
19 Oct 2021
00:34:36
Welcome to this ICAEW Insights podcast, where we analyse the latest news from the world of accountancy, business and finance.
In this special edition, we’re joined by experts from across ICAEW’s tax and public sector team to preview the government’s Autumn Budget 2021 and Spending Review, which takes place on Wednesday 27 October.
Normally one of the biggest financial events of the year in its own right, this Budget has assumed even greater significance, being the first since the easing of lockdown measures and the tapering down of a number of key Covid support schemes, and also because the same day will see the first three-year government Spending Review in six years.
Will Rishi Sunak produce any tax rabbits from his hat, or has the biggest policy announcement already come in the form of the new Health and Social Care Levy? How much headroom does the Chancellor have to act? And what of longstanding issues such as Brexit, Making Tax Digital and the net zero agenda?
Host: Tom Herbert, online editor ICAEW Insights, We Are Sunday
Guests: - Alison Ring Director, Public Sector & Taxation, ICAEW. - Frank Haskew, Head of Tax, ICAEW. - Anita Monteith Technical Lead & Senior Policy Adviser, Tax, ICAEW. - Martin Wheatcroft, an adviser on public finances who works closely with the ICAEW Public Sector team.
Producer: Natalie Chisholm
Episode published: Tues 19 October 2021 Episode recorded: Weds 13 October 2021
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Anatomy of a cyber attack
13 Oct 2021
00:36:26
On this week’s ICAEW Insights in Focus podcast, we take an in-depth look at a real-life cyber attack.
It was a seemingly ordinary day in Gareth’s* life. Then the phone started ringing, and it never stopped. His company was the target of a ransomware attack. Years later, he shares his story with journalist and author of 'The Dark Net', Jamie Bartlett, as part of ICAEW’s Cyber Crime Week.
Cyber attacks such as phishing and ransomware are on the increase, as cyber criminals identify new ways to breach company systems in the new hybrid working environment.
According to the latest Cyber Security Breaches Survey, four in 10 businesses and just over a quarter of charities experienced security breaches or attacks during the first 12 months of the pandemic.
Host: Jamie Bartlett, internet culture and technology journalist, author of 'The Dark Net', 'The People Vs Tech' and 'Radicals', host of 'The Missing Cryptoqueen' podcast.
Guests: - Gareth*. Gareth is an IT manager whose previous employer suffered a major ransomware attack in 2014, before such attacks were common knowledge. He was able to overcome several hurdles in order to restore the company’s systems, and learned some valuable lessons about how to protect organisations from such attacks. - Mike O’Neill. Mike O’Neill is managing director of Optimal Risk Group and a member of the Chartered Security Professionals Regulation Authority. He and his team provide security and risk consultation services to organisations around the world, including penetration testing. - Sophie Wales. Sophie is the director of trust and ethics at ICAEW with responsibility for ethics, economic crime, fraud and business law. Sophie leads ICAEW’s policy work in these areas, engaging with government and other regulators, as well as providing guidance for members.
*Name has been changed
Producer: Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 15 October 2021 Podcast recorded: 7 October 2021
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Less Complex Entity audits
06 Oct 2021
00:20:25
Welcome to this ICAEW Insights ‘In Focus’ podcast. This is where we interrogate a specific but timely topic from the world of accountancy, business and finance. This time we examine Less Complex Entity (LCE) audits.
There’s been a lot of talk about LCE audits recently and that’s because the international auditing standard-setter, the IAASB, recently issued an exposure draft for a standard for LCE audits.
This is major progress. The exposure draft issued is far from perfect, but the fact that it has been issued is a cause for celebration. ICAEW has been a robust supporter of less complex auditing standards for the audit of LCEs for many years.
The issue of an exposure draft is the start of a journey. There are significant technical issues to address before we even think about the potential for adoption and it is important to remember for now that the exposure draft has been issued by the international standard setter, the IAASB – and not by the Financial Reporting Council in the UK.
Today’s podcast panel is well versed in all the issues.
Host: Sophie Campkin, ICAEW Technical Lead, Audit and Assurance
Guests: - Fiona Wilkinson. Fiona was President of ICAEW from 2019 to 2020 and is a Board member of the International Federation of Accountants, and Chair of its Public Policy and Regulatory Advisory Group. She has been a member of the ICAEW’s Council since 2003 and has also served as chair of the Professional Standards Board, an ICAEW Board Director and chair of the Ethics Advisory Committee. She qualified as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant in 1980 with Deloitte and spent 11 years in the firm’s Audit Department before setting up her own practice as a technical consultant providing engagement quality control reviews and audit compliance reviews for small and medium-sized firms. - Catherine Hardinge. Catherine is a partner with Price Bailey. She joined the firm in 2003, having qualified with EY. She’s the firm’s compliance partner, chair of ICAEW’s LCE Audits Working Group, a member of ICAEW’s main auditing committee and an ICAEW Board member for Education and Training. - Katharine Bagshaw. Katharine is a long-standing staff member with ICAEW’s Audit and Assurance Faculty. She qualified in 1990 with EY and is a former member and deputy chair of IFAC’s SMP Committee. She’s Secretary to ICAEW’s LCE Audits Working Group.
Producer: Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 8 October 2021 Podcast recorded: 4 October 2021
ICAEW Insights: National Insurance rise, ransomware and charity fraud
23 Sep 2021
00:29:58
Welcome to this ICAEW Insights podcast, where we analyse the latest news from the world of accountancy, business and finance.
On the show we speak to Eleanor Fairford, the National Cyber Security Centre’s Deputy Director for Incident Management, about the rising tide of ransomware, and how chartered accountants can protect themselves and their businesses.
ICAEW Tax Faculty’s Lindsey Wicks outlines the details of the government’s new health and social care levy and talks us through the Office for Tax Simplification’s report on the costs and benefits of moving tax year away from 5 April.
And ahead of Charity Fraud Awareness Week (18 – 22 October 2021), Mia Campbell, Head of Fraud Advisory Panel and Kristina Kopic, Head of Charity and Voluntary Sector, ICAEW tell us about fraud in the sector, how the pandemic has changed criminals’ behaviour, and how charities should react if the worst happens.
Host: Tom Herbert, online editor ICAEW Insights, We Are Sunday
Guests: - Lindsey Wicks, Technical Editor, ICAEW Tax Faculty. - Eleanor Fairford, Deputy Director for Incident Management, the National Cyber Security Centre. - Mia Campbell, Head of Fraud Advisory Panel. - Kristina Kopic, Head of Charity and Voluntary Sector, ICAEW.
Producer: Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 23 September 2021 Podcast recorded: 15 September 2021 (ransomware section) and 21 September 2021 (tax and charity fraud sections)
Behind the Numbers: How to bounce back from a cyber attack
14 Oct 2025
00:32:29
In this episode, we discuss how prepared organisations really are for cyber attacks, what to do if and when your business is affected, and how to manage the communications challenges. We have a great case study from a company that suffered a cyber attack, with plenty of lessons about how to mitigate the impact on customers and return quickly to business as usual.
Philippa Lamb is joined by Peter Davenport, Crisis Communications Specialist, Definition Group; Michael Hoare, Director, Kekst CNC; Neil Hare-Brown, Founder, Storm Guidance; and Nadeem Raza, CEO, Microlise.
Time Codes
11:01: Nadeem Raza from Microlise shares his cyber attack case study
15:07: A deeper dive into how M&S and Jaguar Land Rover are managing the ongoing challenges from cyber attacks
27:25: The speakers share their top tips for cyber attack preparedness
Peter Davenport, Crisis Communications Specialist, Definition Group
Michael Hoare, Director, Kekst CNC
Neil Hare-Brown, Founder, Storm Guidance
Nadeem Raza, CEO, Microlise
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 14 October 2025
Podcast recorded: 7 October 2025
ICAEW Insights In Focus: The gender pension gap
14 Sep 2021
00:33:55
Welcome to this ICAEW Insights ‘In Focus’ podcast. This is where we interrogate a specific but timely topic from the world of accountancy, business and finance. This time we examine the gender pension gap.
We hear a lot about the gender pay gap – the difference between the average earnings of men and women, but the pensions gap has had little attention, yet it is actually more acute. While the gender pay gap among full-time employees in April 2020 was 7.4%, and it was 15.5% among all employees, the gender pension gap is much wider. A recent report found a 40% gap in pension savings between women and men – that's an average difference in pension income by gender of about £7,500 a year.
According to research released by Scottish Widows earlier this year, the average woman in her twenties is on course to have £100,000 less in her pension pot at retirement than a man of the same age. Women face a higher risk of retiring in poverty than men. And the pandemic appears to have increased the gender pension gap, because women were more likely to be furloughed or lost their jobs.
Women live longer, earn less and save less. They are more likely to take long breaks from their career for caring responsibilities or to work part-time. Even the state pension is based on how many years you’ve worked or National Insurance credits you’ve received during time off for parenting or caring.
This podcast will explore all these issues, and explain how individuals, businesses and government can go about closing the gender pension gap.
Host: Rosamund Urwin
Guests: - Jane Portas, a former financial services partner at two big 4 accountancy firms, the co-founder of Insuring Women’s Futures which is a market-led programme for improving women’s and society’s financial resilience, and the author of ‘The Risks in Life’ series of reports and practical including ‘Solving women’s pension deficit to improve retirement outcomes for all. - Philippe Seidel of AGE, the largest EU-funded network of organisations of and for older people in Europe. He specialises in the fields of employment of older workers and social protection, as well as gender equality. Philippe also coordinates AGE’s relations with the European Parliament. - Philippa Kelly, ICAEW’s Director of Financial Services who leads ICAEW’s work across banking, insurance and investment management. She qualified as a chartered accountant with PwC.
Producer: Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 16 September 2021 Podcast recorded: 13 September 2021
ICAEW Insights: Late payments, basis period reform and football finance
26 Aug 2021
00:35:00
Welcome to this ICAEW Insights podcast, where we analyse the latest news from the world of accountancy, business and finance.
On this show, we’ll speak to Liz Barclay, the government’s new Small Business Commissioner, on efforts to tackle the scourge of late payments.
ICAEW Tax Faculty’s Lindsey Wicks outlines the implications of the government’s proposed reforms to basis periods.
Football finance expert and chartered accountant Kieran Maguire gives us the story behind his hit podcast ‘The Price of Football’.
And ICAEW’s Katharine Bagshaw explains why the IAASB thinks we need an audit standard for less complex entities.
Host: Tom Herbert, online editor ICAEW Insights, We Are Sunday
Guests: - Katharine Bagshaw, Manager, Auditing Standards, ICAEW - Kieran Maguire, Football Finance Lecturer, University of Liverpool and co-founder, Price of Football podcast - Lindsey Wicks, Technical Editor, ICAEW Tax Faculty - Liz Barclay, Small Business Commissioner
Producer: Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 26 August 2021 Podcast recorded: 24 and 25 August 2021
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Access to finance - supporting small businesses
18 Aug 2021
00:30:47
Welcome to this ICAEW Insights ‘In Focus’ podcast. ICAEW’s Head of Corporate Finance, David Petrie, is joined by a panel of experts to discuss debt, equity and other funding options for small businesses in the light of government intervention as a consequence of the pandemic and the return to growth.
Host: David Petrie, Head of Corporate Finance, ICAEW;
Guests: - Graeme Sands, Corporate and Growth Banking Director, Virgin Money UK; - Steve Cordiner, Head of Unquoted Investment, Gresham House Ventures; - Maggie Rodriguez-Piza, Chief Executive, Funding London; - Asif Ahmed, Founder & Managing Director, Acclivity Advisors; - Wendy Smith, Senior Innovation and Growth Specialist, Innovate UK EDGE North.
Producer: Natalie Chisholm.
Episode first published: 19 August 2021. Podcast recorded: 12 August 2021.
ICAEW Insights: Blurring boundaries, e-money accounts and the future of tax
21 Jul 2021
00:27:04
Welcome to this ICAEW Insights podcast, where we analyse the latest news from the world of accountancy, business and finance.
On this show, we’ll look at how the boundaries between accountants’ personal and business lives have blurred during the pandemic, resulting in a rising number of disciplinary cases involving social media. What are the professional bodies doing about this?
ICAEW has responded to the government’s future-facing Tax Administration Framework Review, which is likely to affect all taxpayers, businesses and those who advise them. We’ll examine the review and ask why the Institute has called for more resourcing for HMRC to deliver the government’s vision.
Details of the fifth self-employment income support scheme grant have been released - how different is it from its predecessors and what should you look out for?
And what is the difference between an e-money business account and a traditional business bank account, and why does it matter?
Host: Tom Herbert, online editor ICAEW Insights, We Are Sunday
Guests: - Philippa Kelly, Director, Technical Strategy Business Group, ICAEW - Lindsey Wicks, Technical Editor, ICAEW Tax Faculty - Sophie Wales, Director, Technical Strategy, Tax, Ethics & Law Group, ICAEW
Producers: Guy Ruddle, Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 22 July 2021 Podcast recorded: 19 July 2021
ICAEW Insights In Focus: Women on boards - how do we reach equality?
09 Jul 2021
00:34:12
The pandemic has pushed back gender parity across the UK FTSE 350 to 2036, with women holding just 22% of all executive committee roles. Just 15 of the top companies have female chief executives. While we’ve made some progress in recent years, what needs to change to reach true equality? ICAEW's Susanna Di Feliciantonio and Jane Berney discuss the issue with a panel of experts.
The panel: - Andrew Weir, Regional Senior Partner of KPMG in Hong Kong and Vice-Chairman of KPMG China, and Global Chair of Asset Management for KPMG. - Leda Condoyanni, Chair of the Non-Executive Directors’ Club in Greece + board member of ecoDa. - Catherine Musakali, Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and Chairperson of Women on Boards in Kenya. - Susannah Haan, a non-profit leader currently holding a portfolio of non-executive director roles.
ICAEW Insights In Focus: The BEIS White Paper - how do we measure audit quality?
05 Jul 2021
00:32:50
High profile frauds and corporate failures has put the spotlight on auditors. Regulators have questioned the quality of audits and the lack of competition in the audit market, leading to some of the more contentious elements of the BEIS whitepaper. What’s the right approach? Anna Draper, lead partner, BDO, Jayne Kerr, director audit strategy and public policy, PwC, Tracy Gordon, director of corporate governance, Deloitte, and Katharine Bagshaw, manager, auditing standards, ICAEW, join ICAEW’s Iain Wright to discuss.
ICAEW Insights In Focus: The BEIS White Paper – how do we restore trust through corporate governance?
30 Jun 2021
00:21:53
Trust in business and other institutions, such as Parliament and the press, has been declining for decades. How do we reverse the tide? Do the measures in the BEIS whitepaper set out a path to build back trust? In the second part of our corporate governance discussion, panellists Mala Shah-Coulon, associate partner at EY; Tom Gosling, fellow at London Business School; Andrew Ninian, director of stewardship and corporate governance, The Investment Association; John Odada, head of board and committees at BP; and Elizabeth Richards, head of corporate governance, ICAEW, talk trust with ICAEW’s Iain Wright.
ICAEW Insights In Focus: The BEIS White Paper – is ARGA the corporate governance regulator we need?
30 Jun 2021
00:35:19
The BEIS whitepaper proposes replacing the current regulator, the Financial Reporting Council, with a new, more powerful body, the Audit Reporting and Governance Authority – ARGA. ICAEW’s Iain Wright is joined by a mega-panel of experts to discuss this proposal: Mala Shah-Coulon, associate partner at EY; Tom Gosling, fellow at London Business School; Andrew Ninian, director of stewardship and corporate governance, The Investment Association; John Odada, head of board and committees at BP; and Elizabeth Richards, head of corporate governance, ICAEW. Part one of two.
ICAEW Insights In Focus: The BEIS White Paper – why do we need audit and corporate governance reform now?
27 Jun 2021
00:33:42
The BEIS consultation on audit and corporate governance reform proposes sweeping changes that will have a profound impact on the way corporate Britain operates. Why is this necessary now? What will it mean in practical terms? And is the timing right? Cosette Reczek, a Chartered Governance Professional with over 30 years' experience and a member of the ICAEW Corporate Governance Committee, Janet Williamson, Senior Policy Officer at the TUC, and John Boulton, Director of Technical Policy at ICAEW, speak to ICAEW’s Managing Director for Reputation and Influence Iain Wright to find out more.
ICAEW Insights In Focus: The Economics of Biodiversity: what the Dasgupta Review means for business and the profession
24 Jun 2021
00:32:11
In 2019, the UK was the first major government to commission a review into the economics of declining biodiversity. Here Philippa Kelly speaks with Thomas Viegas, economic advisor to the Review, about the implications for the finance sector.
Behind the Numbers: Dealing with uncertainty, and mental health
06 Oct 2025
00:30:06
We’re all navigating uncertainty right now. How can accountants manage it professionally and personally? Riaz Shah OBE, former EY Partner and Professor of Practice at Hult International Business School, breaks down the biggest factors affecting the profession at the moment, and how it might shape the role and future of accountants.
Then Paul Guess, Case Management Officer for accountants’ support charity CABA, talks about the mental toll that the current environment is taking on professionals, and the kind of support that they can expect to receive.
Riaz Shah OBE, Professor of Practice, Hult International Business School
Paul Guess, Case Management Officer, CABA
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 8 October 2025
Podcast recorded: 25 September 2025
ICAEW Insights: Tax year end, Bounce Bank Loans and cryptocurrency
23 Jun 2021
00:28:53
ICAEW’s Philippa Kelly and Lindsey Wicks and PwC’s Mike Jervis join host Tom Herbert to discuss the potential moving of tax year end, Bounce Back Loan repayment options, business restructuring and cryptocurrency.
Welcome to this new ICAEW Insights podcast, where we analyse the latest news from the world of accountancy, business and finance.
On today’s show, with news that the government is considering moving tax year end away from 5 April, what impact could this have on businesses and individuals? The first coronavirus Bounce Back Loans are now falling due for repayment: what should businesses consider when drawing up their plans for the rest of 2021 and beyond? And you can’t get away from cryptocurrency in the press, but should chartered accountants be taking a closer look?
Host: Tom Herbert, online editor ICAEW Insights, We Are Sunday
Guests: - Philippa Kelly, Director, Technical Strategy Business Group, ICAEW. - Lindsey Wicks, Technical Editor, ICAEW Tax Faculty. - Mike Jervis, Restructuring and Insolvency Partner, PwC.
Producer: Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 24 June 2021 Podcast recorded: 21 June 2021
Behind the Numbers: Should we compensate whistleblowers?
25 Sep 2025
00:31:00
Whistleblowing is a vital process but often fraught with far more risk and emotional upheaval than it should be. In Western Europe, 43% of all occupational fraud cases come to light thanks to whistleblowers. And it’s not just fraud: cases from poor health-and-safety practices to bad team management have all been righted thanks to people speaking out.
Although many whistleblowing cases do result in bad practice being stopped and workplaces improved, some whistleblowers have been victimised or forced out of their jobs. In the UK, the new Failure to Prevent Fraud offence will mandate large employers to put clear whistleblowing policies in place, and both the Serious Fraud Office and HMRC are looking at schemes to incentivise whistleblowing.
Andrew Pepper-Parsons, Director of Policy and Communications at whistleblowing charity Protect, and Brendan Weekes, Associate Director at accountancy firm, S&W, join our host Philippa Lamb to discuss the topic, why a significant minority of whistleblowers don’t get the requisite protection and what the forthcoming regulation and potential SFO and HMRC schemes will mean for UK business.
They also both discuss some best practice case studies from organisations that are doing a good job of encouraging people to speak up when they see something that’s not right. This includes the Wellcome Trust’s excellently named scheme “The Only Way is Ethics”.
● Andrew Pepper-Parsons, Director of Policy and Communications, Protect
● Brendan Weekes, Associate Director, S&W
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 25 September 2025
Podcast recorded: 12 September 2025
Accountancy Insights: Kemi Badenoch on growth and the profession
17 Sep 2025
00:23:20
In this special episode of Accountancy Insights, we bring you a timely interview of Kemi Badenoch by ICAEW’s Chief Executive Alan Vallance who sat down with her after a speech she gave at Chartered Accountants’ Hall.
Badenoch talked about tackling perennial long-term problems like productivity and smarter regulation. She spoke with feeling about her frustration when, as Business Secretary in the previous Conservative government, she would meet with business leaders who showed her how debilitating regulation could be for business if the consequences of new laws are not thought through properly.
Drawing on her tech background, she also disagreed with her former colleague Jeremy Hunt that AI would replace accountants, saying “I don’t think accountants have anything to worry about.”
ICAEW’s Chief Policy and Communications Officer Iain Wright then joins our host Philippa Lamb to discuss Badenoch’s proposals and how it’s further evidence of ICAEW’s unique position as a leading voice for business.
Iain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, ICAEW
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 18 September 2025
Podcast recorded: 12 September 2025
Accountancy Insights: Companies House update, scaling up smartly and the Next Generation ACA
10 Sep 2025
00:34:09
Accountancy Insights explores the month’s top stories in the profession.
In this episode, we discuss the introduction of four statutory instruments to enforce Companies House reform, as well as the common mistakes to avoid when scaling up a business. We also cover the introduction and content of the Next Generation ACA qualification.
Philippa Lamb is joined by Mike Miller, ICAEW Economic Crime Manager; Anne Allibone, fractional CFO and commercial advisor; and Shaun Robertson, ICAEW Director of Education and Qualifications.
Anne Allibone, fractional CFO and commercial advisor
Shaun Robertson, Director, Education and Qualifications, ICAEW
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 11 September 2025
Accountancy Insights: Can history teach us anything about digital money?
19 Aug 2025
00:33:47
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we explore what the history of money can tell us about its future.
Currency has been evolving for thousands of years, but the pace of change has now escalated with the introduction of online banking and digital currencies. We discuss the parallels between modern and historical advances in currency, and key lessons as central banks look to introduce their own digital currencies.
Host Philippa Lamb is joined by Polly Tsang, Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager at ICAEW; and Dr Tony Moore, Lecturer in Finance at Henley Business School.
Dr Tony Moore, Lecturer in Finance, Henley Business School
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 20 August 2025
Podcast recorded: 13 August 2025
Accountancy Insights: Bonus episode - how to tackle late payments
12 Aug 2025
00:23:16
ICAEW’s Iain Wright hosts a conversation with Emma Jones CBE, the government’s newly appointed Small Business Commissioner, in this special episode of Accountancy Insights.
Jones discusses the Small Business Plan, launched on 30 July, which introduces new measures to tackle late payments. Estimates place the cost of late payments to the UK economy at £11bn per year as well as contributing to the closure of 38 businesses each day. Upcoming legislation will also reduce maximum payment terms from 60 to 45 days .
She also shares learnings from a career spent in small business. Jones founded and exited her first business at the age of 27 and then went on to establish both Enterprise Nation and StartUp Britain to support small and young businesses across the country. She has also previously served as SME Representative for the Crown Commercial Service.
Iain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, ICAEW
Guest
Emma Jones CBE, Small Business Commissioner
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 12 August 2025
Podcast recorded: 7 August 2025
Accountancy Insights: Inside the Post Office Inquiry and new mid-tier research
24 Jul 2025
00:34:12
In this episode, we discuss the findings of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry’s first report, including lessons for other companies around culture and values. We also explore ICAEW’s latest research into mid-tier practices, covering the key drivers of growth and the biggest challenges ahead.
Philippa Lamb is joined in the studio by Peter van Veen, ICAEW Director of Corporate Governance and Stewardship; and Sarah Ghaffari, ICAEW Director of Communities, Business and Practice.
Peter van Veen, Director, Corporate Governance and Stewardship, ICAEW
Sarah Ghaffari, Director, Communities, Business and Practice, ICAEW
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 22 July 2025
Podcast recorded: 15 July 2025
Behind the Numbers: UK SRS – what’s in it, and the FCA consultation
10 Mar 2026
00:23:13
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
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
Behind the numbers: Appraising Starmer’s Labour
14 Jul 2025
00:42:06
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss the hits and misses of the Labour government’s first year in power.
While there have been some clear wins over the past 12 months, particularly on the international stage, domestic politics have felt far less controlled. Our panel evaluates the previous year, as well as suggesting where the government goes from here as it enters its second year.
Host Philippa Lamb is joined by Iain Wright, ICAEW’s Chief Policy and Communications Officer; Frances Haque, Santander UK’s Chief Economist; and David Williamson, Chief Political Commentator at the Daily Express.
Iain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, ICAEW
Frances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UK
David Williamson, Chief Political Commentator, Daily Express
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 14 July 2025
Podcast recorded: 7 July 2025
Accountancy Insights: Inside the Industrial Strategy and navigating VAT reform
08 Jul 2025
00:37:48
In this episode, we discuss the government’s new Industrial Strategy and, in particular, its sector plan for professional and business services with Iain Wright, ICAEW Chief Policy and Communications Officer. Iain is Chair of the Professional and Business Services Council, which has worked closely with government in devising the final plans.
We also met speakers at ICAEW’s How to Fix VAT conference on 18 June 2025 to learn about the complexity of the UK’s VAT system and the obstacles to reforming the tax.
Those interested in sharing their views on the Industrial Strategy can contact Iain Wright by emailing iain.wright@icaew.com.
Iain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, ICAEW
Max Schofield, Barrister, Devereux Chambers
Rebecca Porter, CEO, The VAT Team
John Whiting CBE, Former Tax Director, Office of Tax Simplification
Yige Zu, Associate Professor, Durham University
Dennis Lui, CEO, Tax Academy of Singapore
Ed Saltmarsh, Technical Manager, VAT and Customs, ICAEW
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 8 July 2025
Podcast recorded: 1 July 2025
Behind the numbers: Investment risk - lessons from Russia
20 Jun 2025
00:35:11
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss how businesses can best navigate geopolitical risk.
With the Trump administration’s push for tariffs, and wars taking place in Europe and the Middle East, doing business internationally is increasingly unpredictable. We explore the lessons learned from Russia’s recent history – beginning with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 all the way through to the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 – and the strategies that businesses can put in place to move quickly should similar risks materialise.
Host Philippa Lamb is joined by Peter van Veen, ICAEW Director of Corporate Governance and Stewardship, and Charles Hecker, author and risk analyst.
Peter van Veen, Director, Corporate Governance and Stewardship, ICAEW
Charles Hecker, author and risk analyst
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 20 June 2025
Podcast recorded: 13 June 2025
Accountancy Insights: Supporting SME growth and professional judgement in audit
13 Jun 2025
00:23:33
In this episode, we discuss how SMEs can pursue growth in today’s environment of economic uncertainty, as well as explaining how auditors should be fulfilling their responsibilities to exercise professional judgement and scepticism.
Philippa Lamb is joined by start-up consultant Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam and Rhodri Whitlock, Director at HPL Associates.
Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam, Founder, The FD Consultant
Rhodri Whitlock, Director, HPL Associates
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 13 June 2025
Podcast recorded: 5 June 2025
Behind the Numbers: Rebuilding trust in volatile times
29 May 2025
00:52:05
Accountancy Insights is celebrating its 100th episode.
To mark the occasion, we’ve brought together experts from across business, politics and technology to look at a fundamental problem that’s holding back economic growth: trust. Just how deep is the trust crisis in business and institutions that we hear so much about? And how can it possibly be rebuilt as economic volatility persists?
We set the scene by discussing President Trump’s recent trade negotiations. Next, as Marks & Spencer continues to grapple with its near-catastrophic cyber attack, we explore how businesses can best protect themselves against the escalating risk of cybercrime. And finally, we speak with ICAEW Chief Executive Alan Vallance and Baroness Margaret Ford, Chair of the newly launched Centre for Public Interest Audit, on remedying the impact of high-profile corporate failures on public confidence in business.
This episode is available in both audio and video formats. Join thousands who have already subscribed to Accountancy Insights so that you never miss an episode.
Baroness Margaret Ford, Chair, The Centre for Public Interest Audit
Iain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, ICAEW
Frances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UK
David Williamson, Chief Political Commentator, Sunday Express
Paul Munson, EU Compliance Lead, Rippling
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 30 May 2025
Podcast recorded: 20 May 2025
Accountancy Insights: Collecting unpaid taxes and revisions to the Code of Ethics
12 May 2025
00:12:16
In this episode, we discuss the government’s new measures to collect billions of pounds in unpaid taxes, as well as covering the key changes to ICAEW’s Code of Ethics, which come into effect on 1 July 2025.
Philippa Lamb is joined by Stephen Relf, Technical Manager, Tax; and Laura Hough, Director of Trust and Ethics.
This episode refers to penalty rates based on the Bank of England base rate, correct as of 1 May 2025. Make sure you check the current rates.