The Audit Registration Committee (ARC) plays a central role in ICAEW’s regulatory framework, overseeing decisions related to audit registration and ensuring that firms meet the high standards expected of ICAEW registered auditors.

Helen, who has served as a lay member of the ARC since 2022, starts the role in October. She takes over from Rama Krishnan, who has come to the end of her term having chaired the committee since July 2019.

Helen began her career in the rail sector as a graduate trainee, before joining the NHS where she has worked for two decades, now leading a primary care network. She has held roles with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the General Dental Council, and been a  trustee for a national charity. Additionally, she chairs a social enterprise that supports families and young people.

Helen said:

“I’m delighted to become the next chair of the Audit Registration Committee and am excited to take up the role. Throughout my career I’ve been committed to professional regulation and good governance as effective mechanisms to uphold public standards and protect the public interest, and I look forward to working with colleagues to maintain the standards that underpin public trust in audit.”

Following a thorough and independent selection process, Helen was appointed to the role by RACAC under powers delegated to it by the ICAEW Regulatory Board (IRB). While RACAC reports to the IRB on its activities, the committee remains independent of the IRB.

Brownwen Curtis, chair of RACAC, said:

“On behalf of RACAC, I congratulate Helen on her appointment as chair of the Audit Registration Committee. She brings extensive experience in professional regulation and I look forward to working with her.

“I’d also like to extend my thanks to Rama Krishnan, the outgoing chair, for her leadership of the Audit Registration Committee and commitment to ICAEW.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Our role as an improvement regulator

Our mission as an improvement regulator is to strengthen trust in ICAEW Chartered Accountants and firms. We do this by enabling, evaluating and enforcing the highest standards in the profession. 
 ICAEW’s regulatory and conduct roles are separated from ICAEW’s other activities so that we can monitor, support or take steps to ensure change if standards are not met. These roles are carried out by the Professional Standards Department (PSD) and overseen by the ICAEW Regulatory Board (IRB).

Our role is to:

authorise ICAEW firms, members and affiliates to undertake work regulated by law: audit, local audit, investment business, insolvency and probate;

support the highest professional standards in general accountancy practice through our Practice Assurance scheme;

provide robust anti-money laundering supervision and monitoring;

monitor ICAEW firms and insolvency practitioners to ensure they operate correctly and to the highest standards;

investigate complaints and hold ICAEW firms and members to account where they fall short of standards;

respond and comment on proposed changes to the law and regulation; and

educate through guidance and advice to help stakeholders comply with laws, regulations and professional standards.