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News

Up-to-date coverage of all that is happening in the worlds of accountancy and finance. Analysis and insights of the latest trends affecting the profession along with podcasts and videos offering fresh perspectives on accountancy.
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Guy Ruddle, Tristan Yelland and Will Christopher
Behind the Numbers

Are you taking fraud seriously enough?

  • Podcast
  • 20 May 2026
Fraud is the largest reported crime in England and Wales, and the UK government wants to bring numbers down. With failure to prevent fraud now an offence, there is some onus on business to address the issue. But are enough businesses taking it seriously?
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Latest news

A pair of hands typing on the laptop keyboard
April’s public sector finances add to the Chancellor’s woes
  • 22 May 2026
Higher welfare spending pushed the deficit up by £5bn, from £19bn in the month of April 2025 to £24bn in April 2026, while opening net debt was revised up by £6bn.
Mid-tier firms focused on AI and consolidation
  • 22 May 2026
The impact of technology on the workforce and continued consolidation are the key factors shaping the future of mid-tier accountancy firms in the UK, confirms ICAEW research.
UK government ploughs ahead with late payments Bill
  • 21 May 2026
Following its inclusion in the King’s Speech, the Small Business Protections Bill is one of the first to be put before parliament, including a cap on payment terms and new powers for the Small Business Commissioner.
Chart of the week: UK defence spending
  • 21 May 2026
Our chart this week returns to the subject of defence spending and how the extra money for defence being announced by the government is only a small step on the way to the NATO target of spending 3.5% of GDP.

Latest tax news

Approved mileage rate increased for first time in 15 years
  • 22 May 2026
The headline authorised mileage rate for approved mileage allowance payments (AMAPs) has increased to 55p per business mile from 6 April 2026. This is part of a government package of measures intended to address rising fuel prices.
HMRC warns taxpayers against using Bills of Exchange
  • 22 May 2026
HMRC does not accept Bills of Exchange as payment of tax liabilities. Taxpayers who enter into arrangements that attempt to use Bills of Exchange in this way could face additional interest and penalties.
Give your views on the single trade window
  • 21 May 2026
Stakeholders have until 3 June 2026 to provide feedback to help inform the next stage of HMRC’s work on the development of the UK’s single trade window.
HMRC reminds businesses to register for VAT
  • 21 May 2026
Businesses that receive a letter from HMRC telling them they need to register for VAT should check their position carefully and register without delay if necessary.

Podcasts

Guy Ruddle, Tristan Yelland and Will Christopher
Are you taking fraud seriously enough?
  • 20 May 2026
Fraud is the largest reported crime in England and Wales, and the UK government wants to bring numbers down. With failure to prevent fraud now an offence, there is some onus on business to address the issue. But are enough businesses taking it seriously?
Stephen Relf and Lindsey Wicks
Modernising and mandating agent registration
  • 13 May 2026
Finance Act 2026 introduces a package of measures designed to drive up standards in the tax advice market, including mandatory agent registration with HMRC. In this episode, we explain how the process will work and discuss the consequences for advisers of having their registration suspended.
Fahad Asgar, Technical Manager and Philippa Lamb
Can businesses mitigate rising energy prices? Plus AI in audit, UK GAAP
  • 06 May 2026
Everyone’s talking about energy costs at the moment. Greenfields Energy Group’s co-founder Liam Conway walks us through the energy impacts of the Iran War and outlines the best ways for businesses to protect themselves from global energy shocks.

Videos

Showcasing recent news-related video content from ICAEW.
Displaying 1-5 of 35 results
ICAEW's latest research into the evolution of mid-tier accountancy firms
ICAEW's latest research into the evolution of mid-tier accountancy firms
  • 13 May 2026
  • 00:00:45
Chief Executive, Alan Vallance, introduces the 2026 edition of ICAEW's research into the activities of the UK's mid-tier accountancy firms and their plans for the future.
ICAEW Annual Report 2025
ICAEW Annual Report 2025
  • 24 Apr 2026
  • 00:01:07
Alan Vallance recaps some of the highlights in 2025. To find out more read the ICAEW Annual Report 2025 at https://www.icaew.com.
Looking ahead: financial services in 2026
Looking ahead: financial services in 2026
  • 24 Feb 2026
  • 00:00:52
Polly Tsang, ICAEW's Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager, previews the year ahead in financial services.
Looking ahead: technology and cyber security in 2026
Looking ahead: technology and cyber security in 2026
  • 18 Feb 2026
  • 00:00:56
Esther Mallowah, ICAEW's Head of Tech Policy, previews the year ahead in technology and cyber security.
Looking ahead: regulation policy in 2026
Looking ahead: regulation policy in 2026
  • 18 Feb 2026
  • 00:01:03
Sophie Wales, ICAEW's Director, Regulatory Policy, previews the year ahead for regulation policy in accountancy and finance.
Displaying 1-5 of 35 results

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.

Charts of the week

Chart of the week: UK defence spending
  • Article
  • 21 May 2026
Our chart this week returns to the subject of defence spending and how the extra money for defence being announced by the government is only a small step on the way to the NATO target of spending 3.5% of GDP.
Chart of the week: car exports and imports
  • Article
  • 14 May 2026
Our chart this week is on the car market in the UK, showing how most of the cars made in the UK are exported (our third biggest goods export) and most of the new cars registered in the UK are imported (our biggest goods import).
Chart of the week: top 20 military spenders
  • Article
  • 06 May 2026
Our chart this week is on the 20 countries that incurred the most military expenditure in 2025, starting with the US spending the most at $954bn, followed by China spending $336bn and the UK in sixth place at $89bn (£71bn).

News specials

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

Cheery tree with blossom
Mental health and wellbeing
  • 07 May 2026
There is now a far greater understanding that we should look after our mental health with the same care as our physical health. Discover ICAEW's and caba's resources for maintaining your mental health..
Road winding through hilly countryside with sun rising in the background
Prepare for 2026
  • 25 Feb 2026
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.
Diverse group of people smiling and looking up
Global Ethics Day
  • 07 Oct 2025
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.

Featured sections

Diversity and Inclusion
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 news into diversity in the profession.
Regulatory News
A round-up of regulatory and conduct updates and communications from the ICAEW Professional Standards Department.
Sponsored content
Hear what our partners are saying on topical issues impacting the accountancy profession.
News and Insights index
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 news and the Quarterly magazine.
News archive
In this section you can read some of the best material that was in ICAEW's monthly magazine, Economia, as well as from the Insights section published in 2020.

ICAEW events and webinars

With a range of in-person and virtual events, hosted all over the world and by our communities, there's an opportunity to network and learn for you.
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