All audit firms should have completed a first evaluation of their system of quality management (SOQM) by 15 December 2023. Further evaluations must be performed at least annually. This is an area of focus by the FRC, and our quality assurance reviewers expect to see the conclusion documented, along with details of the results of the firm’s monitoring that it has assessed to reach its conclusion. We summarise what our Quality Assurance Department is looking for in this area, which issues would cause concern and how engaging with our reviewers can help you avoid recurrences.

ICAEW proposes to make changes to the UK Audit Regulations and Guidance which will require audit registered firms to notify ICAEW when they are appointed as auditors to certain entities. Notification would also be required where audit fees are significantly higher than fees in the firm’s existing portfolio. The aim is to increase the transparency of the movement of these audits between audit firms.

Under the Joint Insolvency Committee’s (JIC’s) strategic work plan, Insolvency Guidance Papers (IGPs) are subject to periodic review to ensure they remain relevant to changing legislation and market conditions. In 2024 all of the IGPs are being reviewed and this notice is to advise you of the changes that have been approved by the JIC to date.

Insolvency practitioners (IPs) are making some common mistakes during the preparation of statements of affairs and deficiency accounts. In a previous article, we offered some tips on how to prepare accurate and compliant statements of affairs. Here we focus on deficiency accounts.

This series of events will ensure that you are aware of the current insolvency and monitoring visit hot topics, and up to date with recent corporate and personal legal cases affecting practitioners.

We are delighted that our Director of Quality Assurance, Bob Pinder, has been selected as a judge at the TRI Awards to recognise excellence in the fields of turnaround, restructuring, and insolvency.