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Trust & Ethics

Guidance and resources on key issues, including economic crime, business law, better regulation and ethics. Read through ICAEW’s Code of Ethics and supporting information.

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Key resources

Insights from CFOs on ethics
ICAEW's Director of Trust and Ethics, Laura Hough, discusses why good people do bad things with industry experts in this ICAEW Insights Podcast.
The latest ethics related videos, webinars and podcasts from ICAEW. Find expert insight into ethical decision making, speaking up and ethical standards, which will support your professional development.
White building in daylight
ICAEW's Ethics CPD course is designed to help you apply the Code of Ethics to everyday situations and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.
Accounting
Support

Recentring ethics

Ethics must not fade into the background. For Global Ethics Day on 18 October, ICAEW emphasises the importance of ethics for leadership and culture within the profession.
Find out more
Ethics fundamentals

Why do good people do bad things?

In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss professional ethics and seek to answer the age-old question: why do good people do bad things?
Listen now
Support

Ethics recordings

The latest ethics related videos, webinars and podcasts from ICAEW. Find expert insight into ethical decision making, speaking up and ethical standards, which will support your professional development.
Watch now
Regulations

Guidance on NOCLAR

The ICAEW Code of Ethics has sections entitled ‘Non-Compliance with Laws and Regulations’, commonly known as NOCLAR. This guidance summarises what a member’s key responsibilities are under these new requirements.
Read guidance
Online training

Ethics CPD course

ICAEW has created a free online ethics course to support members in meeting their changing continuing professional development (CPD) requirements
Find out more
Technical support

Ethics helpsheets

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.
Browse helpsheets

Latest content

Discover the latest developments in legislation, economic crime and trust in the profession as they affect accountancy and finance.

The auditor who fought Kenyan corruption
  • Article
  • 17 Apr 2024
This year’s ICAEW Achievement Award winner, Edward ‘Eddie’ Ouko, faced huge resistance in his role as Auditor-General of Kenya. Despite the threats, he stood his ground.
Public/private sector collaboration key to fighting corruption
  • Article
  • 12 Apr 2024
Closer working ties between businesses and enforcement agencies will boost the battle against corruption, expert speakers at a recent IFAC event agree.
How business should approach fraud risk
  • Article
  • 02 Apr 2024
Fraud volumes and values are rising annually. But new rules and governance regulations hope to help prevent business fraud before it happens and detect it when it does.
EU picks Frankfurt as Anti-Money Laundering Authority home
  • Article
  • 13 Mar 2024
New enforcement body takes step closer to reality as decision-makers select location of headquarters, with mid-2025 launch on the horizon.
UK government outlines new sanctions strategy
  • Article
  • 11 Mar 2024
Two years on from the start of the war in Ukraine, the UK government has set out a sanctions strategy that strengthens its capability.
Banking for charities
  • Article
  • 06 Mar 2024
Demand for charity services continues to grow. Be it the cost-of-living crisis, rising mental health challenges or our ageing populations, charities are finding themselves under increasing pressure to deliver more for less. Given the challenges they currently face in doing vitally important work, you’d hope that accessing banking services would be straightforward for them. However, it’s becoming increasingly challenging for charity trustees to do so. But why?
Companies House activates new powers to combat fraud
  • Article
  • 04 Mar 2024
New Companies House regime aims to improve data quality and counter misuse – a timely introduction as banks are on high alert due to a spike in potential fraudulent company filings.
UK fraud makes massive leap to £2.3bn
  • Article
  • 28 Feb 2024
Reported cases of fraud are rising and the amounts involved are getting larger – but still fewer than one in seven fraud offences are reported to the police.
More articles

Ethics

Horizon: lessons for software procurement
  • Article
  • 09 Feb 2024
As the issues with the Post Office’s Horizon software make headlines, we look at how buyers must work with vendors during the software procurement process.
Horizon scandal: seven lessons for boards
  • Article
  • 08 Feb 2024
As details continue to emerge about the Post Office’s management of the Horizon project, ICAEW Director, Corporate Governance and Stewardship, Peter van Veen picks out some key learning points.
FRC updates the Ethical Standard for Auditors
  • Article
  • 30 Jan 2024
Regulator says new requirements are proportionate to support confidence in UK corporate reporting and audit, to support UK growth and competitiveness.
Why fighting corruption is key to good governance
  • Article
  • 07 Dec 2023
International Anti-Corruption Day falls on 9 December; this year’s events seek to highlight how anti-corruption efforts contribute to peace, security and development.
Is your firm building actionable ethics?
  • Article
  • 08 Nov 2023
While the tone for ethical systems and processes must come from the top, personal integrity is a matter for everyone in an organisation, a special ICAEW event has heard.
Ethics: how much do people trust accountants?
  • Article
  • 18 Oct 2023
The latest Global accountancy trust survey, conducted by Edelman DXI looks at the level of trust that people and businesses have in chartered accountants.
More

ICAEW Code of Ethics

ICAEW's Code of Ethics applies to all members, students, affiliates, employees of member firms and, where applicable, member firms, in all of their professional and business activities, whether remunerated or voluntary.

ICAEW Code of Ethics
  • Regulations
Access the Code which is based on IESBA’s Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants and supporting materials.
Code of Ethics 2020 Additional information
  • Regulations
Summaries of the Code's key requirements, more information on some of the key changes, and source and destination material.
ICAEW Code of Ethics summary
  • Regulations
  • PDF (37kb)
A summary of the fundamental principles of the Code of Ethics.
More support

Whistleblowing

Government to review outdated whistleblowing laws
  • Article
  • 12 Apr 2023
Charities and politicians have called on the government to strengthen UK whistleblowing laws.
Whistleblowing: speak up in the public interest
  • Article
  • 22 Jun 2021
World Whistleblowers’ Day on 23 June is a chance to reflect on the bravery of individuals who chose to do what’s right and expose wrongdoing. The day is particularly poignant for whistleblowers who have chosen to stay anonymous because they can never be thanked in person.
How directors support effective whistleblowing
  • 29 Apr 2020
This know-how guide shares practical guidance for directors on the importance of whistleblowing during the continually evolving COVID-19 crisis.
Coronavirus: How can directors support effective whistleblowing in the current crisis?
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 29 Apr 2020
Practical guidance for directors on the importance of whistleblowing during the continually evolving COVID-19 crisis.
More

Videos on ethics

The latest ethics related videos, webinars and podcasts from ICAEW. Find expert insight into ethical decision making, speaking up and ethical standards, which will support your professional development.

Watch now
The latest ethics related videos, webinars and podcasts from ICAEW. Find expert insight into ethical decision making, speaking up and ethical standards, which will support your professional development.

Business law

ICAEW's Business Law team and committees work to support members in selected areas of law and regulation, and lead the institute's policy work to improve regulation.
Company law
  • Listing
  • 23 May 2011
This page covers selected developments in UK companies legislation, prospective legislation and related matters of professional concern to accountants in practice, industry or commerce.
ICAEW's guide to directors' duties and responsibilities
  • Regulations
  • 11 Mar 2011
This ICAEW guide provides an overview of directors' duties and responsibilities, including on internal governance, transactions between a company and its directors or shareholders, and corporate administration. It also covers responsibilities in relation to insolvent or financially challenged companies, as well as penalties for breach of directors' responsibilities.

Better Regulation

Drawing on our experience and insights from our members, this project will assess whether the UK’s regulatory regime is good enough and how it might be improved.

What is the Better Regulation project?
  • Article
  • 22 Mar 2023
A good regulatory environment is essential for a healthy and sustainable economy. This project aims to help ICAEW and its members understand how the UK’s regulatory regime might be improved and to use our insights to call for change where needed.
ICAEW's briefing on UK regulation
  • Hub page
  • 17 Sep 2021
This briefing acts as an introduction to the UK's regulatory regime. It looks at what is meant by regulation, what makes good regulation and some of the key components of the UK’s regulatory architecture.
Tired of being paid late by big businesses?
  • Article
  • 13 Sep 2023
Small business owners: what can you do to crack down on overdue payments and make sure you receive the money you are owed?
The late payments problem: a growth killer for SMEs
  • Article
  • 21 Aug 2023
At a recent ICAEW round table discussing payment and regulation challenges for small businesses, attendees called for better partnerships with larger companies – and an easier path to funding.
More information

Economic crime

The auditor who fought Kenyan corruption
  • Article
  • 17 Apr 2024
This year’s ICAEW Achievement Award winner, Edward ‘Eddie’ Ouko, faced huge resistance in his role as Auditor-General of Kenya. Despite the threats, he stood his ground.
Tax news in brief 17 April 2024
  • Article
  • 16 Apr 2024
Highlights from the broader tax news for the week ending 17 April 2024, including: how Labour intends to close the tax gap; a change to the form for reporting a residential property gain; and new HMRC guidance for employers on giving foreign tax relief.
Public/private sector collaboration key to fighting corruption
  • Article
  • 12 Apr 2024
Closer working ties between businesses and enforcement agencies will boost the battle against corruption, expert speakers at a recent IFAC event agree.
Building up cyber security
  • Article
  • 09 Apr 2024
Cyber security is an ever-increasing issue for businesses. Following the launch of the ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty’s guide on cyber security in M&A, Marc Mullen looks at where advisers can help.
More

Anti-money laundering

Professional Standards Update April 2024 This month, we share more information about upcoming PII changes and invite you to ask your questions during a webinar on 21 May. We also highlight common mistakes firms make regarding Clients’ Money requirements, share a summary of recent disciplinary cases and signpost resources and updates according to your regulatory role.
Technical releases
  • Listing
  • 05 Apr 2024
ICAEW publishes technical releases offering support on legal and regulatory areas relevant for accountants.
Disciplinary update: April 2024
  • Newsletter
  • 04 Apr 2024
Take note of the latest disciplinary cases to ensure you or your firm are not making similar mistakes.
EU picks Frankfurt as Anti-Money Laundering Authority home
  • Article
  • 13 Mar 2024
New enforcement body takes step closer to reality as decision-makers select location of headquarters, with mid-2025 launch on the horizon.
More

Bribery and corruption

The auditor who fought Kenyan corruption
  • Article
  • 17 Apr 2024
This year’s ICAEW Achievement Award winner, Edward ‘Eddie’ Ouko, faced huge resistance in his role as Auditor-General of Kenya. Despite the threats, he stood his ground.
Public/private sector collaboration key to fighting corruption
  • Article
  • 12 Apr 2024
Closer working ties between businesses and enforcement agencies will boost the battle against corruption, expert speakers at a recent IFAC event agree.
Profession under microscope in major corruption study
  • Article
  • 27 Feb 2024
Universities and expert body unite to ramp up data on actions that enable corruption – with the influence of accountants high on the project’s list.
The UK’s corruption conundrum
  • Article
  • 08 Feb 2024
As the UK drops to its lowest-ever position in the global Corruption Perceptions Index, ICAEW’s Economic Crime Manager, Mike Miller, asks if this reinforces the view that the UK is a facilitator of economic crime.
More

Fraud

How business should approach fraud risk
  • Article
  • 02 Apr 2024
Fraud volumes and values are rising annually. But new rules and governance regulations hope to help prevent business fraud before it happens and detect it when it does.
Articles on fraud and coronavirus
  • Listing
  • 19 Mar 2024
Read features and articles covering attempted fraud of the different government support schemes that were introduced to mitigate the impact of coronavirus on the economy and firms.
UK fraud makes massive leap to £2.3bn
  • Article
  • 28 Feb 2024
Reported cases of fraud are rising and the amounts involved are getting larger – but still fewer than one in seven fraud offences are reported to the police.
House of Lords reports on Finance Bill measures
  • Article
  • 06 Feb 2024
House of Lords agrees with the Tax Faculty recommendation that the start date for merged scheme for R&D tax relief should be delayed.
More

Modern slavery

How accountants can help refugees and combat modern slavery
  • Article
  • 06 Jan 2023
ICAEW member Sarah Crowhurst volunteers helping refugees in Greece, providing support to those forced into prostitution. She explains why, and how accountants can help.
What makes a good modern slavery statement?
  • Article
  • 11 Jul 2022
Modern slavery is still all too common in the UK, with 10,613 potential victims identified in 2020. The modern slavery statement is designed to improve transparency and vigilance within businesses and their supply chains.
How do we improve modern slavery reporting?
  • Article
  • 27 Jun 2022
Around one in 10 British companies do not provide a modern slavery statement. Why aren’t organisations taking the problem seriously?
Modern slavery: nothing to do with me?
  • Article
  • 14 Jun 2022
The combination of existing skills and new tools means that ICAEW members can play a pivotal role in the fight against modern slavery, say Dipak Vashi and Hope Sherwin.
More

Further resources

icaew communities
Corporate Governance Community
  • Promotional material
Forensic & Expert Witness Community
  • Promotional material
Restructuring & Insolvency Community
  • Promotional material
Solicitors Community
  • Promotional material
library resources
Business law and regulation
Company law
  • Listing
Partnership law
  • Listing
Law
related topics
Audit reform and trust in business
  • Hub page
Corporate governance
  • Hub page
Gender pay gap reporting: the regulations
  • Helpsheets and support
Professional conduct in relation to taxation (PCRT)
  • Helpsheets and support