Accountancy Insights
In this podcast series from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), a panel of guests dissect the latest headlines and provide expert analysis on the top stories from across the world of business, finance and accountancy
Episodes
108 episodes
Accountancy Insights: Supporting SME growth and professional judgement in audit
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. ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 101
•
23:33
Behind the Numbers: Rebuilding trust in volatile times
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: t...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 100
•
52:05
Accountancy Insights: Collecting unpaid taxes and revisions to the Code of Ethics
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 join...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 99
•
12:16
Behind the numbers: The professional pitfalls of social media
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss how professionals should approach social media. Social media can be a minefield, particularly when personal and professional lives are closely interwoven. Online debate has be...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 98
•
25:52
Accountancy Insights: Adapting post-tariffs, MTD at 10, UK GAAP changes
In this episode, we discuss how the Trump administration’s tariffs will hamper the government’s growth plans, the progress made towards Making Tax Digital on its tenth birthday, and how changes to FRS 102 and 105 will affect the nation’s small ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 97
•
29:01
Behind the numbers: What Britain needs to grow
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss the necessary ingredients to support economic growth. It’s a clear priority for the government. An industrial strategy is due to be published in the coming months – with eight...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 96
•
35:36
Accountancy insights: Happy birthday, HMRC
In this episode, we have a report by Mark Rowland from the ’20 Years of HMRC’ event held on 11 March at Chartered Accountants’ Hall, in which he speaks to James Murray, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, and Lord O’Donnell, former Permanent S...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 95
•
21:49
Behind the Numbers: Succession planning - is employee ownership the answer?
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss the appropriateness of employee ownership trusts (EOTs) for accountancy practices. The majority of mid-tier accountancy and audit firms are still structured as limited liabili...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 94
•
27:36
Trump tariffs update and HMRC service standards
In this episode, we discuss the latest developments in President Trump’s tariffs rollout and how they may affect UK businesses. We also explore a new joint report by ICAEW and the Chartered Institute of Taxation into HMRC service standards, whi...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 93
•
29:17
Behind the Numbers: A ticking tech skills timebomb
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss continuous learning around technology and artificial intelligence. For accountants, getting the most out of fast-evolving technologies involves more than simply training peopl...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 92
•
28:59
Trump, tariffs and EU turmoil: 2025 predictions
In this special episode of Accountancy Insights, we look ahead to the most significant events and trends anticipated in 2025. Last year brought a new UK government and its controversial first Budget. With things now appearing...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 91
•
34:43
Behind the Numbers: the financial case for sustainability
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss the progress of sustainability reporting. Across the globe, sustainability reporting has become increasingly mandated for large organisations. Now, with the CSRD introduced in...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 90
•
31:06
Accountancy Insights: Regulating tax advice, plus new professional behaviour wording
In this episode, we speak to Ray McCann, fresh from delivering this year’s Hardman Lecture on Monday 25 November, about regulating the provision of tax advice. Plus, Sophie Wales, ICAEW Director of Regulatory Policy, explains upcoming changes t...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 89
•
16:37
Behind the Numbers: Can we unclog the local audit backlog?
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss whether the filing of local authority audited accounts will ever get back on track. Just 1% of local bodies published audited accounts on time for the 2022/23
•
Season 1
•
Episode 88
•
22:25
Accountancy Insights: Budget 2024 - a gamble on growth
In this special episode of Accountancy Insights, we discuss whether the Autumn Budget will provide a much-needed shot in the arm for business confidence and investment activity. Philippa Lamb is joined by Iain Wright, Managin...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 87
•
30:46
Behind the Numbers: Guarding against the AI cyber crimewave
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss how the use of new technologies by criminals is putting businesses at risk. A recent Europe-wide report found that 40% of chief internal auditors cited artificial intelligence...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 86
•
36:02
Group audit and the forthcoming AI Bill
In this episode, we recap revisions to ISA 600 on group audit, and we discuss the likely contents of the AI Bill that is expected to be brought to Parliament before the end of the year. Philippa Lamb is joined by Catherine Ha...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 85
•
16:29
Behind the numbers: why are we taxing tourists?
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss the introduction of tourism taxes in the UK. During 2024, such taxes have been introduced in Manchester, Poole, Bournemouth and Brighton. Now, Edinburgh City Council has put f...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 84
•
31:36
Accountancy Insights: Taxing cryptoassets and reporting suspicions of fraud
In this episode, we discuss the available guidance on, and the application of general principles to, the taxation of cryptoassets; as well as how auditors should be acting on their obligation to report suspicions of fraud to the regulator.<...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 83
•
19:20
Behind the Numbers: How to stop accountancy’s brain drain
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss ways to improve recruitment and retention in accountancy.While the pipeline of new joiners remains healthy, holding onto qualified staff is proving challenging. New research by ICAEW on ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 82
•
30:35
Accountancy Insights: Business confidence, local authority finance, probate delays, and tax reform
In this bumper episode, we discuss the latest findings of ICAEW’s Business Confidence Monitor and why three-quarters of councils in England are at least a year behind in publishing audited accounts. Plus, we hear an update on the probate servic...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 81
•
40:33
Behind the Numbers: Why are female-led startups so underfunded?
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss gender inequality in investment.Women continue to be underrepresented in venture capital, particularly at senior levels. The scales are even less balanced for female founders, who...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 80
•
35:16
Accountancy Insights: How to get Britain growing
One week on from the general election, this special episode of Accountancy Insights discusses the policies of the new UK government. The Labour Party has taken power with a sweeping victory not seen since 1997. Now, it faces ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 79
•
26:55
Behind the Numbers: Groupthink – the boardroom’s most pervasive problem?
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss strategies to prevent and tackle groupthink at board level. By suppressing debate and disrupting effective decision-making, groupthink poses a significant governance challenge...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 78
•
39:55
Accountancy Insights: Corporate reporting update and VAT on private hire vehicles
In this episode, we discuss important developments in corporate reporting, including amendments to UK GAAP, new standards IFRS18 and IFRS19, and the timeline for implementing IFRS S1 and IFRS S2. We also discuss the evolving VAT treatment of pr...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 77
•
20:02
