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Up-to-date coverage of all that is happening in the worlds of accountancy and finance. Analysis and insights of the latest trends affecting the profession along with podcasts and videos offering fresh perspectives on accountancy.
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Polly Tsang and Philippa Lamb around a table in a podcast studio
Graphical illustration of the five institutional pillars ICAEW has identified as being crucial to reforming UK tax system: policymakers, administration, digital infrastructure, tax professional and judiciary.
Charles Hecker, Geopolitical Risk Expert, Philippa Lamb and Luke Blake, Founding Director, Business advisors Oakwood Risk Group
Accountancy Insights

EY’s backing AI agents; and a new form of insider trading

In this episode EY’s Richard Harrison explains how EY are using AI agents to reshape audit, balancing human and tech roles alongside risk. Plus, Polly Tsang on prediction markets and insider trading risks.
Listen now
Insights special

How to build a better tax system

The Tax Faculty is looking what is needed to deliver a better tax system in the UK. Thought leadership on five key areas will be published in 2026.
Read more
Behind the Numbers

How to plan for a Russian test of NATO

In today’s volatile geopolitical environment, businesses need to plan for these events. So in this episode, we run through an exercise: what if Russia tests NATO resolve by firing on Poland and amassing troops near the region?
Listen now

Latest news

A person holding a tablet device displaying various graphs
How to Excel: don’t abuse the IF Function
  • 20 Aug 2026
Excel’s IF function is one of the most important in the finance profession's modelling arsenal, but can tip over into being over-used, adding complexity and unreliability to your spreadsheet. 
A person holding a tablet device displaying various graphs
Prize to recognise worker-focused AI adoption to continue despite government changes
  • 17 Aug 2026
A government prize recognising organisations in the UK for using artificial intelligence to improve worker productivity and capability will continue under the new department, with nominations open until 30 September 2026.
Two people looking at the laptop having a conversation
New trade union rules: what employers need to know
  • 17 Aug 2026
New rules relating to trade unions are being introduced as part of the Employment Rights Act, including the requirement to inform staff of their right to join one. Experts talk us through some of the main changes and their practical implications.
A hand holding a magnifying glass looking at some papers
Pathway cleared for members to join Swiss body
  • 17 Aug 2026
ACA-qualified auditors can now apply to join national body EXPERTSuisse, following the introduction of the UK-Swiss Free Trade Agreement and mutual recognition provisions.

Latest tax news

ICAEW supports new VAT relief for social housing
  • 20 Aug 2026
The introduction of a new, targeted VAT relief would reduce costs and help avoid delays in building new social housing, says ICAEW in its response to the government’s consultation.
HMRC uses information from third parties to target landlords
  • 20 Aug 2026
During August, HMRC sent letters to taxpayers to encourage them to disclose any income from let property and reminds them that they may have responsibilities to meet under Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax.
HMRC to begin signing up taxpayers for MTD income tax
  • 19 Aug 2026
From September 2026, HMRC will sign up taxpayers within scope of MTD income tax from April 2026 that have not done so themselves. Taxpayers – and agents on their behalf – are encouraged to take action before HMRC does.
Tax news in brief 19 August 2026
  • 19 Aug 2026
Highlights from the broader tax news for the two weeks ending 19 August 2026, including new guidance from HMRC on applying the tax rules for short-term business visitors to the UK.

Podcasts

ICAEW's podcasts keep you up to date while you tick off your to-do list - hear the latest developments in tax, audit, corporate reporting, finance and business, and clock up an hour of CPD each month.
Charles Hecker, Geopolitical Risk Expert, Philippa Lamb and Luke Blake, Founding Director, Business advisors Oakwood Risk Group
How to plan for a Russian test of NATO
  • 19 Aug 2026
In today’s volatile geopolitical environment, businesses need to plan for these events. So in this episode, we run through an exercise: what if Russia tests NATO resolve by firing on Poland and amassing troops near the region?
Stephen Relf, Tax Technical Manager, ICAEW; Professor Peter Jelfs, Brunel University of London; Andy Richens, formerly of the Office of Tax Simplification in the podcast studio
Why tax complexity matters
  • 12 Aug 2026
In this episode, we consider the pain points for businesses in meeting their tax reporting obligations and we explore the causes and implications of tax complexity, including what the UK stands to gain from addressing it.
Polly Tsang and Philippa Lamb around a table in a podcast studio
EY’s backing AI agents; and a new form of insider trading
  • 05 Aug 2026
In this episode EY’s Richard Harrison explains how EY are using AI agents to reshape audit, balancing human and tech roles alongside risk. Plus, Polly Tsang on prediction markets and insider trading risks.
Find out more

Videos

Showcasing recent news-related video content from ICAEW.
Displaying 1-5 of 43 results
2026 six months in: economic impact of Iran war
2026 six months in: economic impact of Iran war
  • 14 Jul 2026
  • 00:02:29
ICAEW's Chief Economist, Suren Thiru, looks at how global uncertainty might impact the profession and wider economy.
2026: what's next for Companies House reform?
2026: what's next for Companies House reform?
  • 08 Jul 2026
  • 00:02:48
Sally Baker, ICAEW's Corporate Reporting Director, brings members up to date on which Companies House policy changes are still in motion, and how it will affect them.
2026: a flurry of tax surprises
2026: a flurry of tax surprises
  • 08 Jul 2026
  • 00:02:39
At the half-way point of 2026, ICAEW's Senior Tax Technical Manager, Lindsey Wicks, brings members up to speed on what to expect, and the likely impacts of postponed changes and unexpected announcements.
2026: AI and sustainability assurance on the way
2026: AI and sustainability assurance on the way
  • 08 Jul 2026
  • 00:03:05
What critical events are happening in auditing in the second half of 2026, and how can members prepare? Find out from ICAEW's Audit and Assurance Director Alex Russell.
You can help rebuild the UK tax system
You can help rebuild the UK tax system
  • 26 Jun 2026
  • 00:03:09
The Tax Faculty is exploring how the tax system can be rebuilt. We want to hear from as many people as possible on what they think are the problems and potential solutions. Hear from our volunteers on what we’ve achieved so far and how you can help.
Displaying 1-5 of 43 results

The opinions expressed by external guest speakers in interviews or other publications included on this website are, by their nature, those of the speaker. They are not necessarily fully endorsed by the ICAEW or purport to reflect the official policies and views of the ICAEW or its members.

Charts of the week

Chart of the week England and Wales population
Chart of the week: England and Wales population
  • Article
  • 30 Jul 2026
Our chart this week show how the England and Wales official population estimate of 62m on 30 June 2025 is distributed by region.
Chart of the week: inflation
Chart of the week: inflation
  • Article
  • 23 Jul 2026
Inflation dropped to 2.6% in June, with our chart this week illustrating how faster rises in energy prices have offset slower rises in food, alcohol and tobacco prices over the past year to keep inflation tracking core inflation downwards.
Chart of the week tax and spending by age
Chart of the week: tax and spending by age
  • Article
  • 16 Jul 2026
Our chart this week looks at how tax and spending vary across age groups and what that means for the latest long-term fiscal projections recently published by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

News specials

A listing of one-off News specials that focus on a particular subject, interviewing the key people, identifying developing trends and examining the underlying issues.

Graphical illustration of the five institutional pillars ICAEW has identified as being crucial to reforming UK tax system: policymakers, administration, digital infrastructure, tax professional and judiciary.
How to build a better tax system
  • 29 Jun 2026
The UK tax system is failing, weighed down by decades of accumulated complexity. ICAEW has identified five pillars critical to creating a system fit for the future and wants members views on potential solutions.
Cheery tree with blossom
Mental health and wellbeing
  • 07 May 2026
There is now a far greater understanding that we should look after our mental health with the same care as our physical health. Discover ICAEW's and caba's resources for maintaining your mental health..
Road winding through hilly countryside at dusk with car lights blurred on road.
2026 six months in
  • 14 Jul 2026
Accountants face some significant challenges, but also some key opportunities in the second half of 2026. Hear from ICAEW experts on the important issues that members need to be thinking about over the coming months.

Featured sections

Diversity and Inclusion
ICAEW is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. In this hub we bring together timely D&I resources on the protected characteristics of the Equality Act, along with our latest news into diversity in the profession.
Regulatory News
A round-up of regulatory and conduct updates and communications from the ICAEW Professional Standards Department.
Sponsored content
Hear what our partners are saying on topical issues impacting the accountancy profession.
News and Insights index
This page provides an entry point to the articles that have formed the daily, monthly and weekly member emails, arranged by section and month. It also contains an index of themed news and the Quarterly magazine.
News archive
In this section you can read some of the best material that was in ICAEW's monthly magazine, Economia, as well as from the Insights section published in 2020-2022.

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