Watch the trailer
ICAEW’s False Assurance film raises some thought-provoking questions and the ICAEW training programme is a valuable tool to improve corporate responsibility across the globe.
Key themes and learning points
Some of the real-life issues brought out during the firm’s fictional journey include:
How to watch
False Assurance is available to watch under a licence arrangement. Please contact your audit compliance principal or internal training department in the first instance. If your employer does not have a licence, contact us to request a quote.
The cost for a licence is calculated on the total number of principals (or employees) in your firm.
To request a quote or renew your firm’s existing licence agreement, please complete our form
Film synopsis
The synopsis gives you a glimpse of what the film is about and what challenges the audit teams face.
Who should watch False Assurance?
False Assurance is a useful training tool for anyone with an interest in board-level governance, professional ethics or audit work.
False Assurance training resources
To accompany the film, ICAEW has created a range of training resources, including:
We recommend watching the film in groups to facilitate discussion of the issues raised. False Assurance runs for 38 minutes and is split into four parts to facilitate breaks where audiences can consider how the characters have handled difficult issues and discuss what they would do next.
We thought everything was in place for a successful future but how wrong we all were.
Further information about False Assurance
False Assurance is the first educational training film produced by ICAEW and written by Duncan Wiggetts, ICAEW’s Chief Officer for Professional Standards.
False Assurance was filmed at Chartered Accountants’ Hall in London. It was directed and co-produced by award-winning producer/director Nick White of Area17, whose 2011 short film Incorporated was longlisted for a BAFTA. The film was co-produced with Positive Mass. The cast is an impressive list of faces from British and international film and television productions, including Guy Oliver-Watts (The Theory of Everything, Game of Thrones), Rosalind March (Calendar Girls, Victoria Wood and London Bridge) and Graham Cole (The Bill).
Awards and recognition
In 2018 False Assurance won a bronze award at the prestigious Brandon Hall Group awards. Using the film, a Big 4 accounting firm in the US produced a learning experience based on the topic of professional scepticism, and won in the Best Unique or Innovative Learning and Development programme for the Learning and Development category.
What are people saying about False Assurance
Case studies
- Find out how the University of Southampton is using ICAEW films
- Find out how the University of Liverpool is using ICAEW films
Articles
Testimonials
False Assurance and Without Question opens students’ eyes to what the world of accounting looks like and the decisions and tests of character that may face them in their future careers.
False Assurance is realistic and contains powerful messages about a range of business and professional issues... The feedback we have received includes ‘best training I have ever attended’ and ‘film was excellent in promoting engaged discussion’.
False Assurance is a high quality corporate training film which brings to life a number of topical board issues such as cyber security, impairment, executive remuneration and fraud. The film also provides a platform to facilitate discussion of board and committee practices and behaviours, including interaction with the external auditors.
From revealing governance concerns to exposing the risks faced by any company in modern society, False Assurance is an eye opening short film that delivers invaluable insights to help board members develop their critical judgement and ethical decision making.
The training was a present reminder of the need for an appropriate balance of skills and the suppression of ego in the Board Room. The video was realistic and generated a good discussion. Extremely helpful.
False Assurance offers the framework for unique training workshops. It provides the opportunity for aspiring NEDs to develop their skills in readiness for FTSE board roles. This film breaks the traditional training mould by providing the prospect to discuss key issues and appropriate actions.
Further resources
An Audit Training Film
Crossing the Line
Crossing the Line is ICAEW’s fourth training film that explores the ethical dilemmas and professional pressures faced by those in leadership and assurance roles, addressing core audit themes like integrity, the disclosure of contingent liabilities, auditor independence, revenue recognition and engagement quality reviews.
Find out more
An AML/Economic Crime Training Film
All Too Familiar ™
All Too Familiar is ICAEW’s third training film. It explores the degree of trust still placed in personal and professional relationships and whether trust is enough in the fight against economic crime.
Find out more
An Audit Training Film
Without Question ®
Without Question is ICAEW’s second training film. It provides an impactful and interesting way to highlight the challenges of directors and professional advisors seeking assurance on difficult issues.
Find out more
ICAEW training films and about the writer
ICAEW training films provoke discussions and challenge mindsets about how to deal with difficult decisions and topical issues in business situations.
Find out more