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Tools for business

Find out about the tools that can help you in your career as an independent adviser or consultant.

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Need to know

Contact us
Contact one of our offices from around the world.
EU and international trade A range of resources on the implications of the UK leaving the EU on 31 December 2020.
Do independent advisers and consultants need a practising certificate?
This is a common question to the ICAEW’s Regulatory Information helpline. As each situation is different there is no one size fits all answer. This article contains some pointers and examples to help you determine whether or not you need a practising certificate (PC) for the work you do.

Engagement letters

Engagement letters and privacy notices
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 01 Jul 2016
ICAEW has developed guidance for practice firms on what to include in engagement letters. This page provides a series of sample wordings to help you draft your own engagement letters.
Engagement letters
  • Hub page
  • 26 Aug 2016
Engagement letters are a key document in the relationship between you and your client, providing a written confirmation of the work that will be carried out. The Library can provide sample wording for a wide variety of engagement letters.
Exclusive What if you have not issued an engagement letter?
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 01 Dec 2013
Technical helpsheet providing guidance for members in practice who choose not to issue engagement letters for non-regulated work.

Ethical questions and complaints

Economic crime Access guidance, resources and tools relating to the prevention of economic crime, including legislative developments, anti-money laundering, fraud, bribery and corruption, and modern slavery.
Ethics Ethical behaviour plays a vital role in ensuring public trust in financial reporting and business practices and upholding the reputation of the accountancy profession. ICAEW members are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of professional conduct and take into consideration the public interest.
Exclusive The ethics of a Chartered Accountant in business
  • Helpsheets and support
Technical helpsheet issued to highlight key ethical responsibilities under the ICAEW Code of Ethics.
Ethics helpsheets
  • Listing
Helpsheets prepared by ICAEW's Ethics Advisory Service to assist you in your day-to-day work. We offer practical advice, respond to frequently asked questions and highlight the issues you may need to consider.
FAQs on the ICAEW disciplinary process (for ICAEW members, firms and ACA students who have received a complaint against them)
  • Article
This page answers some of the questions you may have if there is a complaint against you or your firm.
What to do if you receive a complaint against you and/or your firm
  • Helpsheets and support
Information and support for ICAEW firms, members, affiliates, or any other relevant person who has received a complaint against them. We understand that finding out that a complaint has been made against you or your firm can be stressful. The information below is designed to guide you through the process.

Professional indemnity insurance

Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII)
  • Regulations
Professional indemnity insurance (PII) is compulsory for all ICAEW members who have a practising certificate and engage in public practice. PII is a requirement for a number of regulations.
PII requirements: What changed on 1 September 2024?
  • Article
Last year, the ICAEW Regulatory Board, working collaboratively with the Professional Indemnity Insurance Committee (PIIC), launched a review of ICAEW’s insurance requirements. A consultation relating to proposed changes ran between 18 October and 14 December 2023. Following careful consideration of the feedback we received, some of the proposals were taken forward and came into effect on 1 September.
Upcoming changes to PII Regulations: FAQs
  • Article
After reviewing the existing PII Regulations and consulting on a range of proposals, ICAEW is making some changes to its requirements. We have set out responses to some FAQs below to help you understand the changes and assess whether you will need to make changes to your firm’s professional indemnity insurance.

Practising certificates

Do independent advisers and consultants need a practising certificate?
  • Article
This is a common question to the ICAEW’s Regulatory Information helpline. As each situation is different there is no one size fits all answer. This article contains some pointers and examples to help you determine whether or not you need a practising certificate (PC) for the work you do.
Practising certificates
  • Hub page
Before you engage in public practice, you need to hold an ICAEW practising certificate (PC) and comply with our Professional Indemnity Insurance and Practice Assurance Regulations. From 1 January 2024 the practising certificate guidelines are changing. Find out who is affected and what is changing.
Practising certificates
  • Hub page
Before you engage in public practice, you need to hold an ICAEW practising certificate (PC) and comply with our Professional Indemnity Insurance and Practice Assurance Regulations. From 1 January 2024 the practising certificate guidelines are changing. Find out who is affected and what is changing.
ICAEW statement on engaging in public practice (Effective from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2023)
  • Regulations
This statement clarifies what is meant by 'engaging in public practice' for the purposes of holding a practising certificate.
Practising certificates
  • Hub page
Before you engage in public practice, you need to hold an ICAEW practising certificate (PC) and comply with our Professional Indemnity Insurance and Practice Assurance Regulations. From 1 January 2024 the practising certificate guidelines are changing. Find out who is affected and what is changing.

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Stay informed with the latest practice news from ICAEW.

  • Practicewire offers practical advice, news and briefings on hot topics. At ICAEW we believe in providing you with support and guidance that helps you stay on top of practice news with:
  • Succinct summaries covering multiple specialty areas
  • latest features that practitioners and staff will be talking about
  • practice management insights - alerts for issues that will impact you and services that can provide support for you.

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IR35

Exclusive IR35: fundamental problems remain, says ICAEW
  • Article
  • 24 May 2022
Tax Faculty recommends restricting or removing fiscal incentives to arbitrage employment status.
Exclusive Don’t duck the issue of IR35!
  • Article
  • 11 Mar 2021
Richard Maitland, Partner at MHA McIntyre Hudson gives an update.
Don't duck the issue of IR35
  • Webinar
  • 01 Oct 2020
Join this webinar to discover the implications for contractors who work through personal service companies and get help determining your IR35 status. In addition, discover what the implications are for employers and if there any alternatives through this insightful webinar.
Ackroyd and personal service companies
  • Website
  • 10 Apr 2018
Peter Vaines, of Field Court Tax Chambers, considers the tribunal decision in Ackroyd and asks, are we sure that something has not gone wrong here?

How to write a contract

Commercial contracts: how we can help The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides a range of resources relating to commercial contracts, including model agreements and clauses. This page gives an overview of the Library's offering in this area, and highlights sources of further guidance.
Employment contracts: how we can help The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides a range of resources relating to employment contracts, including model contracts and clauses. This page gives an overview of the Library's offering in this area, and highlights sources of further guidance.
Writing fair contracts: guidance for business
  • Website
Government produced guides to help businesses ensure that their contract terms and notices are fair and clear for consumers.
ContractingWISE
  • Website
Free templates, checklists, tools and reports on topics such as IR35, timesheets and winning contracts.

Risk management

Risk management Resources to help manage risk in your organisation
Special Report 70 - Business resilience
  • Report
  • 13 Apr 2021
Business resilience is a skill not easily learned or acquired, but so vital to the survival and overall success of your business. Use your guide to ensure you have all the right tools in your armoury to succeed in such uncertain times.
Special report: Risk and recovery
  • Report
  • 06 Jun 2014
Guidance on dealing with insurance claims and how the ISO can assist with risk assessments.