Accountancy Insights

Епизоде

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  Behind the Numbers: Healey's Budget options are narrowing 10.09.2026 30мин

  On 7 September, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey delivered a speech setting out his goals for the Budget, amid twitchiness in the bond markets. What did he hope to achieve, and what does it tell us about the Budget in October? We discuss the speech, the factors that are likely to shape the Budget, and what options the Chancellor has to encourage growth, balance tax and spend, and calm the markets. Transcript You can read the full transcript of this episode here -https://www.icaew.co...
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  Accountancy Insights: How did MTD go? The dangers of digital fraud 27.08.2026 35мин

  In this episode, we take a look at the government’s Fraud in the Digital Age report: what does it tell us about trends and what can businesses do to protect themselves? And with the first submissions deadline for Income Tax under the new Making Tax Digital system just passed - how did it go? We discuss the lessons learned for the next submission. Links ICAEW: HMRC to begin signing up taxpayers for MTD Income Tax - https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2026/aug-2026/hmrc-to-begin-signing-up-...
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  How to plan for a Russian test of NATO 19.08.2026 32мин

  For Business, faraway wars feel way closer than they used to. In the current volatile geopolitical environment, businesses need to consider planning for these events. So in this episode, we run through such an exercise: what if Russia tests NATO resolve by firing on Poland and amassing troops near the region? We explore this hypothetical but increasingly plausible scenario in this episode. Links Charles Hecker’s book - https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/zero-sum/US intel finds Putin c...
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  EY’s backing AI agents; and a new form of insider trading 04.08.2026 34мин

  In this episode, EY UK Digital Assurance Leader Richard Harrison joins us to talk about how the firm is using AI agents in audit. How do they divide tasks between people and tech? And how are they understanding and mitigating risk? Then, Polly Tsang, ICAEW’s Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager tells us about Prediction Markets. While you may not have heard of them, they’re opening up a whole new market for Insider Traders. Polly explains how they work, where the risks lie and ...
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  Behind the Numbers: Is there really a growing AI bubble? 14.07.2026 29мин

  The question of whether an ‘AI bubble’ is going to burst doesn’t seem to be going away. There’s a compelling case to be made on both sides of the argument, with the growing demand for AI tools, and the huge amount of money and resources needed to deliver on that demand. So what are the actual risks of an AI bubble, and what would that mean for the tools that businesses and firms are investing in right now? We interrogate the various indicators of whether there might be a bubble or not, ...
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  Accountancy Insights: Looking ahead: HMRC’s digital moves and impacts of Iran war 01.07.2026 29мин

  We’ll have a new PM soon, while the war in the Middle East rages on. Does this mean more uncertainty for businesses in the second half of 2026? ICAEW’s Chief Economist tries to predict what might happen next. If that wasn’t enough, there’s a lot going on in tax at the moment, from MTD Income Tax to new agent registration rules and more tax changes than expected mid-year. Lindsey Wicks explains all the changes. Finally, we get an insight from Junaidy Ab-Mutalib about the professi...
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  Behind the Numbers: When is CEO pay a problem? 16.06.2026 35мин

  Last year CEO pay rose 20 times faster than workers’ pay, according to new research from Oxfam and the International Trade Union Confederation. At the most extreme end of that pay scale, investors approved an executive package for Elon Musk worth a potential $1tn. So when does CEO pay become too high? What are the commercial, ethical and cultural implications for organisations if they’re perceived to be over-paying their CEOs? And as businesses compete globally for the best exec...
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  Accountancy Insights: Understanding tokenisation plans; rethinking the audit report 02.06.2026 23мин

  The government has plans to tokenise financial markets. What exactly is tokenisation? What might it look like in practice and what are the big questions about it that still need answering? Polly Tsang, ICAEW’s Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager, explains. After that, audit reports: ICAEW has created the Auditor Reporting Lab, alongside audit firms, to encourage modernisation in the market. KPMG Partner in Professional Practice, Accounting & Reporting, Pamela Taylor, has been t...
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  Behind the Numbers: Are you taking fraud seriously enough? 19.05.2026 29мин

  Fraud is the largest reported crime in England and Wales, and the UK government wants to bring numbers down. With failure to prevent fraud now an offence, there is some onus on business to address the issue. But are enough businesses taking it seriously? In this episode, we take a look at the common types of fraud, what businesses should be vigilant of, and how can they protect themselves? Links UK government fraud strategy - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fraud-strategy-2026-to...
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  Accountancy Insights: Can businesses mitigate rising energy prices? Plus AI in audit, UK GAAP 05.05.2026 32мин

  Everyone’s talking about energy costs at the moment. Greenfields Energy Group’s co-founder LIAM CONWAY walks us through the energy impacts of the Iran War and outlines the best ways for businesses to protect themselves from global energy shocks. Elsewhere on the episode, we discuss new guidance from the Financial Reporting Council on managing the risks for auditors when it comes to AI adoption; and a quick update on UKGAAP: the challenges that the changes pose for smaller entit...
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  Behind the Numbers: Is AI accelerating the brain drain? 13.04.2026 34мин

  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 acco...
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  Accountancy Insights: What does the Iran conflict really mean for British Business? 31.03.2026 36мин

  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 t...
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  Behind the Numbers: UK SRS – what’s in it, and the FCA consultation 10.03.2026 23мин

  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/gu...
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  Accountancy Insights: Corporate reporting is changing, MTD on the way 04.03.2026 17мин

  There’s just one month to go till Making Tax Digital kicks in for Income Tax; we take a look at how the transition will go. There’s also a lot happening in corporate reporting at the moment – Sally Baker brings us up to speed. Links ICAEW: Making Tax Digital - https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/making-tax-digitalICAEW: MTD: How to prepare your clients - https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2026/jan-2026/mtd-how-to-prepare-your-clientsICAEW: FRC issues amendments to FRS 102 and FRS 105 - h...
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  Behind the Numbers: How to get to the c-suite 10.02.2026 39мин

  This episode looks at routes to the C-suite, and the traits, skills and capabilities you’ll need to get you there. Accountants are highly represented in the C-suite, with one in four CEOs holding the qualification according to research by Robert Half. However, the working world is going through rapid technological and cultural transformation. So how is that changing the competencies that organisations look for in their leaders? And how can you best prepare yourself for taking on those ...
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  Accountancy Insights: How to use AI in tax ethically, and group audit best practice 02.02.2026 18мин

  This episode covers AI and tax work and ISA 600 on group audits, following the release of two pieces of guidance on the topics. With several tax cases in which AI has been used and provided incorrect or misleading information, we outline how to apply the five fundamental ethical principles to AI use. ISA 600 on group audits was revised, effective for audits of financial statements for periods commencing on or after 15 December 2023. These changes are quite wide ranging, particular...
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  Behind the Numbers: How the Celsius scandal is reshaping Crypto regulation 12.01.2026 29мин

  Celsius network claimed to be a safe place to trade digital currencies and assets. In reality, it was using customers’ money for its own ends. In the first Behind the Numbers of the New Year, we explore the collapse of digital currency platform Celsius network, the scandal that followed, and its lasting impact on crypto asset regulation, particularly custody. Since that scandal, international regulators including the Financial Conduct Authority have been looking at custody rules and wi...
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  Behind the Numbers: A World Cup bump, an AI slump? 2026 predictions 30.12.2025 31мин

  In the first episode of 2026, our usual team of soothsayers David Williamson, Frances Haque and Iain Wright review the events of the past 12 months, and look ahead to what we might expect in the coming year. Will 2026 be more of the same, or will there be some reasons to be cheerful? Could the AI bubble burst, or will it just deflate? And did our panel get anything right last year? Transcript Read the full transcript of this episode - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbe...
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  Behind the Numbers: Best of 2025 17.12.2025 17мин

  With Christmas round the corner, we’ve put together a special best of episode of Behind the Numbers, featuring some of the most memorable conversations from throughout the year. From discussions of Trump and tariffs on our 100th episode to one of our favourite conversations on the history of money, it’s an excellent way to remind yourself of what went on this year – or catch up on what you’ve missed. Links: ICAEW: Rebuilding trust in volatile times - https://www.icaew.com/insights...
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  Accountancy Insights: Budget 25: where’s the growth? 28.11.2025 28мин

  This episode is all about the Budget. What was in it? What are the implications? Was there anything positive to glean from it? Stepping in for Philippa Lamb on this episode, Guy Ruddle speaks to the usual economic dream team of Santander Chief Economist Frances Haque, David Williamson, who joins us from Portcullis House, and Iain Wright, ICAEW’s Chief Policy and Communications Officer. They share their views on the early publication of the OBR’s projections, the constant leaking a...