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CPD Conference

28 April 2026, Virtual Event

Catch up on your continuing professional development (CPD) with a half-day programme of bite-sized, verifiable sessions. Register for free to embark on your journey of continuous learning and get up to 2hrs 40mins of verifiable CPD.

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Highlights

Expert insights and practical guidance on diverse topics, ranging from the latest updates in corporate reporting to making the most of AI in your role. Each session highlights additional relevant resources available from ICAEW to support your continued life-long learning journey.
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Strengthen

CPD provides you with the knowledge to do your role more effectively and prepares you for the challenges ahead.

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Beyond technical

Covering a variety of topics this virtual event provides the skills to succeed in an everchanging technical landscape.

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Streamline

Discover how easy it is to use our online CPD record.

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Further learning

Discover a plethora of free resources available to you.

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CPD

Up to 2hrs 40mins of verifiable CPD.

Programme

Opening comments
Julia Penny, Founder, JS Penny Consulting
09:30
Tax update
Nichola Ross Martin, Technical Director, 20:20 Innovation and President, CIOT
09:35
Audit update 2026: What you need to know
Join our panel, hosted by Alex Russell, Head of Audit and Assurance Strategy, ICAEW, looking into the major audit changes that matter right now. This session will cover what’s changing in fraud, going concern and audit reporting, updates affecting SME audits including Practice Note 26, among other areas. You'll gain clear, actionable insights into the shifts in ISAs and how these changes may shape upcoming audit engagements.
10:05
Using sustainability information to build business resilience
Hear from Ravi Abeywardana, Director of Sustainability Reporting and Assurance, ICAEW, as he navigates the evolving landscape of sustainability reporting and assurance, covering key international and UK developments. You'll gain clarity on essential frameworks including ISSB, CSRD, and ISSA 5000, and understand how these shape reporting and assurance expectations in both business and practice. Ravi will highlight why sustainability information is a business imperative rather than a compliance exercise, exploring how organisations can use reporting to communicate material information about risks, opportunities, and resilience. Drawing on real-world examples from ICAEW's Sustainability Accelerator programmes, this session will provide accessible insights for attendees at all knowledge levels.
10:30
Break
10:50
Economic briefing: Key insights for 2026
Join Suren Thiru, Director, Economies ICAEW, for a comprehensive tour of the latest economic trends shaping the UK and global landscape. He'll unpack headline findings from recent BCM data, examine key developments across inflation, GDP, and wider economic indicators, and highlight critical international trends to watch. This session provides the clarity on what matters now, and what may be coming next.
11:10
What's new in Corporate Reporting?
Get a clear picture of the evolving corporate reporting environment in this essential update. Danielle Stewart OBE, Partner, RSM, and Sally Baker, Head of Corporate Reporting Strategy, ICAEW, will guide you through the latest developments in UK GAAP and IFRS Accounting Standards. They will explore changes in non-financial reporting, including a brief touch on sustainability reporting, and examine the UK Government's ambitious Modernisation of Corporate Reporting programme.
11:30
AI
Elliott Poulter, SMB Business Lead UK&I - AI Business Process, Microsoft
12:00
Closing comments
Julia Penny, Founder, JS Penny Consulting
12:25
Close
12:30

Our speakers

Ravi Abeywardana
Ravi Abeywardana Director of Sustainability Reporting and Assurance, ICAEW

Ravi leads ICAEW initiatives on sustainability disclosures and assurance, bringing nearly 20 years’ experience across public and private sectors. Formerly at the IFRS Foundation’s ISSB as Director of Strategic Affairs, he helped shape the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. His career also includes senior roles at Olam International, focusing on finance and corporate sustainability.

Sally Baker
Sally Baker Head of Corporate Reporting Strategy, ICAEW

Sally leads the delivery of content to ICAEW members and faculty subscribers. She also oversees the development of ICAEW policy on UK GAAP, IFRS Accounting Standards, UK regulations for company accounts and non-financial reporting, including sustainability reporting. Having trained with Deloitte, Sally specialised in corporate reporting as a tutor with Kaplan Financial before joining ICAEW in 2017.

Julia Penny
Julia Penny Founder, JS Penny Consulting

Julia served as President of ICAEW in 2022–23 and has held senior governance roles across ICAEW since 2013, including Chair of the Board and membership of key committees. Outside of this volunteer ICAEW involvement Julia is a well-known speaker and writer on audit, financial reporting, anti-money laundering and wider issues impacting the profession. 

Nichola Ross Martin
Nichola Ross Martin Technical Director, 20:20 Innovation and President, CIOT

Nichola is a specialist in owner-managed business taxes, company reorganisations and employee share schemes. She has been solving tax problems and creating innovative online tax-tools for accountants and their clients for many years. She is involved in a variety of different committees in respect of projects with HMRC and is a serving trustee of the CIOT.

Alex Russell
Alex Russell Head of Audit and Assurance Strategy

Alex Russell ACA looks after the Technical and Practical Auditing Committee which handles representations on audit and assurance topics, and which develops useful guidance and helpsheets for our members. Prior to joining ICAEW, Alex qualified with Sayer Vincent before continuing his career at Deloitte

Danielle Stewart OBE
Danielle Stewart OBE Partner, RSM

Danielle is Head of the national service line, Financial Accounting Advisory, at RSM and is deeply involved in the on-going development of Financial Reporting in the UK and globally. Danielle is also Vice Chair of ICAEW’s Financial Reporting Committee. In 2013, Danielle received an OBE for services to accountancy and business.

Suren Thiru
Suren Thiru Director, Economies, ICAEW

With over 20 years of experience specialising in macroeconomic and econometric analysis, Suren oversees ICAEW’s thought leadership and initiatives on the UK economy and is a regular media commentator. He supports delivery of ICAEW’s renowned Business Confidence Monitor and presents the latest economic trends at ICAEW events and for key stakeholders. Prior to joining ICAEW, he spent nine years heading the economics team at the British Chambers of Commerce.

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Testimonials

Very professional, clear, informative and relevant.

2025 CPD Conference delegate

A fast paced, interesting and informative event highlighting key areas of change.

2025 CPD Conference delegate

Great refresher for changes coming in our industry both technical and technological in nature.

2025 CPD Conference delegate

I would definitely attend again and will encourage my ICAEW Peers to do so as well.

2025 CPD Conference delegate
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