Accountancy Insights

Hosted by ICAEW

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Episodes

134

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-GB

About the show

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

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60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 12835 min

When is CEO pay a problem?

When is CEO pay a problem?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 executive talent what can Boards do to keep pay packages in check?LinksTop CEO pay statistics from Oxfam - https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/top-ceo-pay-increased-20-times-faster-workers-pay-2025ICAEW: Remuneration Committee ebooks - https://www.icaew.com/technical/corporate-governance/committees/remuneration-committees/remuneration-committee-ebooksICAEW: Guidance on remuneration - https://www.icaew.com/technical/corporate-governance/committees/remuneration-committeesICAEW: How a CEOs pay package influences corporate culture - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/apr-2025/how-a-ceos-pay-package-influences-corporate-cultureICAEW CPD record - https://www.icaew.com/membership/cpd/online-cpd-recordHostPhilippa LambGuestsShefaly Yogendra, independent Board director, board adviser and authorPeter van Veen, Governance and Ethics Director, ICAEWProducer Natalie ChisholmSeries LeadMark RowlandEpisode first published: 17 JunePodcast recorded: 11 May

June 2, 2026Episode 12723 min

Accountancy Insights: Understanding tokenisation plans; rethinking the audit report

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 thinking hard about how to make them more useful and more user-friendly.This podcast counts towards your annual CPD – click the link below to log your time. LinksICAEW: What is tokenisation, and what are the challenges for accountants? - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/may-2026/what-is-tokenisation-and-the-challenges-for-accountantsGovernment tokenisation announcement - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-fintech-backed-to-embrace-future-payments-technologyFCA call for input on the future of tokenisation - https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/calls-input/future-tokenisation-joint-vision-authorities-uk-wholesale-marketsICAEW: Digital Assets Conference - https://www.icaew.com/learning-and-development/events/digital-assets-conferenceICAEW: Auditor Reporting Lab - https://www.icaew.com/policy-and-research/thought-leadership/audit-and-assurance-thought-leadership/auditor-reporting-labICAEW: Rethinking the auditor’s report - https://www.icaew.com/policy-and-research/thought-leadership/audit-and-assurance-thought-leadership/auditor-reporting-lab/rethinking-the-auditors-reportICAEW: Audit and Assurance Conference - https://www.icaew.com/learning-and-development/events/audit-and-assurance-conferenceICAEW podcasts - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcastHostPhilippa LambGuestsPolly Tsang, Senior Financial Services Regulatory ManagerPamela Taylor, Partner in Professional Practice, Accounting & Reporting, KPMGProducer Natalie ChisholmSeries LeadMark RowlandEpisode first published: 3 June 2026Podcast recorded: 19 May 2026

May 19, 2026Episode 12629 min

Behind the Numbers: Are you taking fraud seriously enough?

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?LinksUK government fraud strategy - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fraud-strategy-2026-to-2029UK fraud statistics - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/natureoffraudandcomputermisuseinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2025ICAEW: Fraud helpsheets - https://www.icaew.com/technical/tas-helpsheets/fraudICAEW: What the government’s new fraud strategies mean for business - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/apr-2026/what-the-governments-new-fraud-strategies-mean-for-businessICAEW: podcasts - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcastHostGuy RuddleGuestsTristan Yelland, Partner, Forensic and Investigations, Grant ThorntonWill Christopher, Partner, Kinsgsley NapleyProducerNatalie ChisholmSeries LeadMark RowlandEpisode first published: 20 May 2026Podcast recorded: 20 April 2026

May 5, 2026Episode 12532 min

Accountancy Insights: Can businesses mitigate rising energy prices? Plus AI in audit, UK GAAP

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 entitiesLinksHow higher oil prices will change Britain -https://www.thetimes.com/article/f754197a-859b-460b-8ad0-1e36fc878ff1FRC – AI in Audit: Generative and Agentic AI guidance -https://www.frc.org.uk/library/standards-codes-policy/audit-assurance-and-ethics/guidance/ai-in-audit/ICAEW UK GAAP hub - https://www.icaew.com/technical/corporate-reporting/uk-gaap/changes-to-uk-gaapICAEW: Changes to UK GAAP Conference - https://www.icaew.com/learning-and-development/events/corporate-reporting-conferenceICAEW podcasts - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcastHostPhilippa LambGuestsLiam Conway, Co-Founder, Greenfield Energy GroupIan Pay, Head of Data Analytics, ICAEWFahad Asgar, Technical Manager, Corporate Reporting, ICAEW Producer Natalie ChisholmSeries LeadMark RowlandEpisode first published: 6 MayPodcast recorded: 29 April

April 13, 2026Episode 12434 min

Behind the Numbers: Is AI accelerating the brain drain?

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.LinksICAEW: 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-changeIs 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_AuditingICAEW: How to stop accountancy's brain drain - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/how-to-stop-accountancys-brain-drain/transcriptICAEW: 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-industryICAEW podcasts - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcastHostPhilippa LambGuestsLola Abitogun, Fractional HR DirectorGeorge Oliver, Audit Associate, KPMGChris Lawton, Group MD, Executive Search, Robert HalfProducer Natalie ChisholmSeries LeadMark RowlandEpisode first published: 15 AprilPodcast recorded: 11 March

March 31, 2026Episode 12336 min

Accountancy Insights: What does the Iran conflict really mean for British Business?

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. LinksICAEW: 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-gulfOil 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-versionGovernment AI assurance roadmap - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trusted-third-party-ai-assurance-roadmap/trusted-third-party-ai-assurance-roadmapEnsuring responsible AI development - https://www.techuk.org/resource/ensuring-responsible-ai-development-let-s-talk-about-ai-assurance.htmlHostPhilippa LambGuestsLiz Barclay, Co-founder of Business 111, Special Adviser on Small Business & Entrepreneurship at the Institute of DirectorsTess Buckley, Expert and Senior Programme Manager in Digital Ethics & AI at TechUKTom Pugh, RSM Chief EconomistProducer Natalie ChisholmSeries LeadMark RowlandEpisode first published: 1 AprilPodcast recorded: 27 March

March 10, 2026Episode 12223 min

Behind the Numbers: UK SRS – what’s in it, and the FCA consultation

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.LinksUK Sustainability Reporting Standards - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-sustainability-reporting-standardsFCA Consultation - https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/consultation-papers/cp26-5-sustainability-disclosuresIFRS Sustainability Disclosures navigator - https://www.ifrs.org/issued-standards/ifrs-sustainability-standards-navigator/ICAEW Government publishes UK SRS - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/feb-2026/government-publishes-uk-sustainability-reporting-standardsHostPhilippa LambGuestsRavi Abeywardana, ICAEW's Director of Sustainability Reporting and AssuranceRichard Barker, a member of the International Sustainability Standards BoardProducer Natalie ChisholmSeries LeadMark RowlandEpisode first published: 10 MarchPodcast recorded: 9 February

March 4, 2026Episode 12117 min

Accountancy Insights: Corporate reporting is changing, MTD on the way

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.LinksICAEW: 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 - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/mar-2026/frc-issues-amendments-to-frs-102-and-frs105ICAEW: Government publishes UK Sustainability Reporting Standards - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/feb-2026/government-publishes-uk-sustainability-reporting-standardsRegulation plan update: Modernisation of Corporate Reporting - https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-10-21/hcws973ICAEW: UK adopts IFRS 18 - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/dec-2025/landmark-moment-for-financial-reporting-as-uk-adopts-ifrs-18ICAEW: IFRS 18 fact sheet (ICAEW members only) - https://www.icaew.com/restrictedmedia?mediaItemId=03545ebb-a068-48eb-b50c-13eede0e3804HostPhilippa LambGuestsSally Baker, Head of Corporate Reporting Strategy, ICAEWRebecca Benneyworth, ICAEW Chartered AccountantProducer Natalie ChisholmSeries LeadMark RowlandEpisode first published: 4 MarchPodcast recorded: 23 and 25 February

February 10, 2026Episode 12039 min

Behind the Numbers: How to get to the c-suite

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 roles in the future?TranscriptRead the full transcript of this episode here - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/how-to-get-to-the-c-suite/transcript LinksICAEW: Soft skills for leaders (CPD) - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/jul-2025/free-cpd-soft-skills-for-leadersICAEW: Traits of modern CFOs - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2024/jul-2024/what-traits-make-up-the-modern-cfoICAEW: Eight lessons from my first year as CFO - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/feb-2026/eight-lessons-from-my-first-year-as-a-cfoICAEW: How to deal with team conflict - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/jan-2026/management-skills-how-to-deal-with-team-conflictHostPhilippa LambGuestsNeil Cutting, Transformation Director at OracleZana Goic Petricevic, leadership transformation expertRichard Davis, founder and CEO, FNLYProducerNatalie Chisholm Episode first published: 10 February 2026Podcast recorded: 21 January 2026

February 2, 2026Episode 11918 min

Accountancy Insights: How to use AI in tax ethically, and group audit best practice

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, particularly when it comes to the treatment of component auditors. We go through the details. Links:ICAEW: Professional conduct in relation to taxation (PCRT) - https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/working-in-tax/pcrtICAEW: Auditing groups of companies - https://www.icaew.com/technical/audit-and-assurance/audit/group-auditHMRC v Gunnarsson - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/688240632b6fd60b7c16100d/HMRC_v_Gunnarsson_final_decision.pdfICAEW: PCRT Guidance on ethical use of AI - https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/working-in-tax/pcrt/topical-guidance-application-of-pcrt-to-ethical-use-of-artificial-intelligence-toolsICAEW: Use of AI criticised in tax case - https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2025/aug-2025/use-of-ai-criticised-in-tax-caseICAEW: Group auditing: nine key changes for auditors - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/jan-2026/group-auditing-nine-key-changes-for-auditorsHostPhilippa LambGuestsSophie Wales, Director of Regulatory Policy at ICAEWCatherine Hardinge, Partner, Price Bailey ProducerNatalie ChisholmEpisode first published: 3 February 2026Podcast recorded: 28 January 2026