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Insights

Pulling together opinion, analysis, interviews and features on the profession along with a focus on the key issues affecting accountancy and the world of business.

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Insights special

Prepare for 2026

  • Hub page
Accountants face some significant challenges, but also some key opportunities in 2026. Hear from ICAEW experts on the important issues that members need to be thinking about over the next 12 months.
Browse resources

Latest news

Chart of the week: global stock markets
  • Article
  • 30 Jan 2026
Our chart looks at how the top 10 stocks from nine companies made up more than a fifth of global stock market values on 31 December 2025.
ICAEW working with Microsoft on AI training
  • Article
  • 30 Jan 2026
As part of its work to ensure finance practitioners have the skills they need to thrive in an AI-enabled world, ICAEW is collaborating with Microsoft on its latest training.
Five ways to compete for finance talent in SMEs and small practices
  • Article
  • 30 Jan 2026
With software industry salaries tempting career entrants away from the accountancy profession, finance recruitment in small businesses and practices must emphasise human factors.

Latest tax news

HMRC sets expectations for AI in tax software
  • Article
  • 29 Jan 2026
HMRC has published guidance for developers on what good use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) looks like in commercial software products that help users to submit tax returns or other information to HMRC.
Extend inheritance tax payment deadline to 12 months, says Lords
  • Article
  • 29 Jan 2026
The House of Lords has urged the government to extend the deadline for paying inheritance tax (IHT) on pensions assets and for estates with qualifying agricultural and business assets from six months to 12 months.
Additional business rates support announced for pubs
  • Article
  • 28 Jan 2026
The government estimates that the average pub in England will save £1,650 in business rates in 2026-27 as a result of measures announced on 27 January 2026.

Insights specials

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

Prepare for 2026
  • Hub page
Accountants face some significant challenges, but also some key opportunities in 2026. Hear from ICAEW experts on the important issues that members need to be thinking about over the next 12 months.
How to fix VAT
  • Hub page
ICAEW explores the challenges and opportunities offered in reimagining VAT and it's application. Read about the history of VAT, the lessons that can be learned from outside the UK and the potential of digitalisation.
Global Ethics Day
  • Hub page
ICAEW celebrates Global Ethics Day each year. The 2025 theme is "Ethics Re-envisioned,” challenging us to think boldly about how we embed ethical principles into the heart of our organisations.

Accounting Intelligence

ICAEW has created a range of resources to support members in business and practice build their understanding of AI. There are video masterclasses, as well as features discussing opportunities, challenges, limitations, risk management and ethics.

Browse resources Watch AI masterclasses
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Videos

AI masterclass Konrad Bukowski-Kruszyna ACA, Head of Audit Data Analytics, RSM UK outlines how generative AI can help ensure that audit sampling is being handled correctly.
AI masterclass on better audit sampling
  • Video
  • 29 Oct 2024
Konrad Bukowski-Kruszyna ACA, Head of Audit Data Analytics, RSM UK outlines how generative AI can help ensure that audit sampling is being handled correctly.
Busy road in London
What is VAT?
  • Video
  • 19 Nov 2024
Value added tax is a vital tool for raising revenue to fund education, healthcare and more. We explain how it works and how it could be improved.
AI masterclass Jenny Blewett FCA, Head of Finance at Costello Medical talks about how she used generative AI to help check her firm’s banking controls when she was new in post
AI masterclass on reviewing company controls
  • Video
  • 30 Oct 2024
Jenny Blewett FCA, Head of Finance at Costello Medical talks about how she used generative AI to help check her firm's banking controls when she was new in post
Video thumbnail - bird's view of a city
Private equity: is it here to stay?
  • Video
  • 22 May 2024
Matt Meadows, Managing Partner, Moore Kingston Smith, and Caroline Monk, Executive Partner, Beever and Struthers, on their views of private equity on the accountancy sector.

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.

Podcast episodes

How the Celsius scandal is reshaping Crypto regulation
  • Podcast
  • 12 Jan 2026
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.
A World Cup bump, an AI slump? 2026 predictions
  • Podcast
  • 31 Dec 2025
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.
Best of 2025
  • Podcast
  • 18 Dec 2025
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.

Charts of the week

Chart of the week: global stock markets
  • Article
  • 30 Jan 2026
Our chart looks at how the top 10 stocks from nine companies made up more than a fifth of global stock market values on 31 December 2025.
Chart of the week: Australian Government balance sheet
  • Article
  • 23 Jan 2026
Our chart marks Australia Day by looking at the federal government balance sheet over the last decade.
Chart of the week: A peak in the civil service?
  • Article
  • 16 Jan 2026
Our chart looks at civil service numbers given that restructuring is in the air in Whitehall. Will the government really be able to deliver on its plans to cut administration costs and civil service headcount over the coming three years?

Insights by topic

Student Insights Interviews, guides and features giving you fresh insights, innovative ideas and an inside look at the lives and careers of ICAEW students and members. No matter what stage you’re at in your journey with us, you’ll find content to suit you.
Insights index
  • Listing
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 Insights specials and the Quarterly magazine.
Climate hub
  • Hub page
Climate change is a crucial issue for the accounting profession. Are you professionally ready to mitigate the risk and maximise the opportunity of climate change? Find inspiration, information and practical resources to support the goals set out in the Paris Agreement and in the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Diversity and Inclusion
  • Hub page
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 insights into diversity in the profession.
EU and international trade
  • Hub page
A range of resources on the implications of the UK leaving the EU on 31 December 2020.
Regulatory News
  • Listing
A round-up of regulatory and conduct updates and communications from the ICAEW Professional Standards Department.
Sponsored content
  • Listing
Hear what our partners are saying on topical issues impacting the accountancy profession.