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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.
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Calculator and accounts
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Companies House reform

Navigating ID verification changes

Read an outline of the major changes and intended timeline for implementation of Companies House identity verification for those setting up, running or controlling companies.
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Exclusive
By all accounts

Companies House reform: first changes introduced

On 4 March 2024, the first set of measures to be rolled out by Companies House under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 came into effect. Find out about the changes.
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Accounts and filing aspects

Find out about the reforms to Companies House, introduced by The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, that impact the preparation and filing of accounts. It also signposts to information on other measures contained within the Act.
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ICAEW Insights

What’s in the Economic Crime Act 2023?

In this Insights In Focus episode, we explore the contents and implications of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Listen now
Guidance

Guide: Economic Crime Act 2022

Understand what the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 means in practice for accountants.
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Legislation

Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act becomes law
  • Article
  • ICAEW Insights
We outline the changes and implications of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.
A guide to the Economic Crime Act 2022
  • Helpsheets and support
On 14 March 2022, the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 became law, following substantial amendments made by the House of Lords. The Government fast tracked this legislation in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We take a look at some of the key considerations for accountants.
UK company law
  • Listing
  • Business Law
Resources include relevant ICAEW technical releases, such as guidance on dividends and distributable profits, and updates on key developments in regulation, prospective legislation and related matters of professional concern to accountants in practice, industry or commerce.
Corporate Criminal Offence: Why all businesses should be taking this seriously
  • Article
  • Lucy Sauvage
Lucy Sauvage, a Director in BDO’s Tax Risk team talks to ICAEW’s Tax Faculty and answers key questions about the effect of the pandemic on risks relating to the corporate criminal offence (CCO) and what organisations need to be thinking about.

Companies House reform

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023. As well as measures to tackle economic crime, changes introduced will improve the quality of financial information available on the UK Company Register. Implementation will involve a significant programme of secondary legislation, which is anticipated to begin in early 2024 and be phased-in over several years.

Companies House reform: ID verification and its impact on accountants
  • Article
  • 26 Nov 2024
Mike Miller, ICAEW’s Economic Crime Manager, outlines the major changes and intended timeline of implementation for Companies House identity verification.
Exclusive CORPORATE REPORTING FACULTY Companies House reform: accounts and filing aspects
  • Webinar
  • 25 Sep 2024
This webinar offers an opportunity to hear from Companies House on changes to UK company law. As well as providing a broad overview of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, the webinar focuses on accounts reform aspects, including changes to filing requirements.
CORPORATE REPORTING FACULTY The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act: accounts and filing aspects
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 16 Jul 2025
This page looks at the reforms to Companies House, introduced by The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, that impact the preparation and filing of accounts. It also signposts to information on other measures contained within the Act.
Companies House: proposed ID verification explained
  • Article
  • 01 Jul 2024
Proposed amendments to the Companies Act 2006 introduce stringent identity verification for those setting up, running or controlling companies, in a bid to stamp out money laundering via fake identities.
Exclusive Companies House reform: first changes introduced
  • Article
  • 09 May 2024
On 4 March 2024, the first set of measures to be rolled out by Companies House under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 came into effect. Find out about the changes.
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.
Exclusive CORPORATE REPORTING FACULTY Changes to accounts preparation and filing requirements
  • Article
  • 05 Jan 2024
As well as measures to tackle economic crime, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act aims to support economic growth by improving information held on the UK companies register. Sally Baker explains the changes the Act will bring in the coming years.
Companies House hails success of Register of Overseas Entities
  • Article
  • 16 Oct 2023
However, concerns remain that verifying documents could leave ICAEW member firms open to prosecution, and the register fails to tackle hidden identities of the Ultimate Beneficial Owners of trusts.
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Changes to UK company law
  • Website
  • 18 Jan 2024
Information and guidance from the government on the changes to UK company law, including why they are important and who is affected.
News from Companies House
  • Website
  • 18 Jan 2024
A blog from Companies House providing tips, advice and news, including the latest developments in changes to UK company law.

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Anti-money laundering

ICAEW Guidance on Sanctions – effective 1 January 2026
  • Regulations
  • 01 Jan 2026
  • PDF (1,351kb)
This guidance takes effect from 1 January 2026 and applies to any matter first considered by the Conduct Committee after that date. That means matters considered on or before 31 December 2025 will continue under the ‘Guidance on Sanctions’ (GOS) effective from 1 June 2023, through to final disposal, including the outcome of any challenge.
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Your membership: get expert guidance from Technical Advisory Services
  • Article
  • 02 Dec 2025
Our Technical Advisory Services team are accountancy lifesavers, providing timely, practical guidance to ICAEW members through regularly updated helpsheets, live web chats and an advice line. Are you making the most of this member service?
Anti-money laundering - the essentials: All AML news
  • Listing
  • 19 Nov 2025
This listing reflects all articles contained in our regulatory newsletters from the previous year until now
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Expenses fraud: how to spot an AI-generated receipt
  • Article
  • 13 Nov 2025
AI-powered expenses fraud is on the rise. How can businesses protect themselves?
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Bribery and corruption

ICAEW Guidance on Sanctions – effective 1 January 2026
  • Regulations
  • 01 Jan 2026
  • PDF (1,351kb)
This guidance takes effect from 1 January 2026 and applies to any matter first considered by the Conduct Committee after that date. That means matters considered on or before 31 December 2025 will continue under the ‘Guidance on Sanctions’ (GOS) effective from 1 June 2023, through to final disposal, including the outcome of any challenge.
An upstanding manager of mayhem: John Franklyn Venner’s war
  • Article
  • 08 May 2025
How an accountant of flawless integrity ensured bribery and corruption helped to win the Second World War. On the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, ICAEW salutes the career of John Franklyn Venner FCA.
DRAFT ICAEW Disciplinary Sanctions Guidance
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 23 Apr 2025
  • PDF (1,236kb)
ICAEW is consulting on new Disciplinary Sanctions Guidance. The guidance outlines how sanctions will be determined in disciplinary cases involving ICAEW-regulated firms and individuals. This guidance is used by ICAEW’s Conduct Committee, Tribunals Committee and Appeal Committee when considering disciplinary allegations. View the exact changes that were being proposed to the regulations via the full consultation document.
Jon Moulton on dealing with America
  • Article
  • 09 Apr 2025
Jon Moulton admits that disruption can prove fruitful for dealmakers. But too much – as is being seen in the Trump administration – is another matter.
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Fraud

ICAEW Guidance on Sanctions – effective 1 January 2026
  • Regulations
  • 01 Jan 2026
  • PDF (1,351kb)
This guidance takes effect from 1 January 2026 and applies to any matter first considered by the Conduct Committee after that date. That means matters considered on or before 31 December 2025 will continue under the ‘Guidance on Sanctions’ (GOS) effective from 1 June 2023, through to final disposal, including the outcome of any challenge.
Extending deemed reseller rules to combat VAT fraud – can it work?
  • Article
  • 26 Nov 2025
Amazon proposes a change to the rules for online marketplaces that would mean the marketplace collects VAT on all third-party sales. Ed Saltmarsh analyses the practicality of the proposal ahead of the Budget.
Expenses fraud: how to spot an AI-generated receipt
  • Article
  • 13 Nov 2025
AI-powered expenses fraud is on the rise. How can businesses protect themselves?
Failure to prevent fraud: who's liable
  • Article
  • 15 Oct 2025
The failure to prevent fraud offence, part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), came into force in September 2025, bringing organisations into liability.
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Business Fraud Alliance an initiative from the Fraud Advisory Panel supported by Barclays

Help tackle fraud in the workplace

  • Website
  • 01 Sep 2025
The Business Fraud Alliance campaign - an initiative led by the Fraud Advisory Panel and supported by Barclays - is gathering real-world data about fraud to help protect businesses in future. Share your experiences by 30 September.
Take the survey

Modern slavery

Modern slavery signs that accountants are well placed to spot
  • Article
  • 30 Jul 2024
Businesses are increasingly raising concerns of modern slavery and recognising risks in their supply chains. Which red flags must accountants be particularly alert to?
The role of ethics within AI to combat modern slavery
  • Article
  • 05 Jul 2024
We complete our iEARTHS miniseries journey through an ethical lens. The ethical risks and challenges are real and require thoughtful reflection to protect what really matters: vulnerable individuals.
Diving deeper into the data for combating modern slavery
  • Article
  • 26 Jun 2024
The challenges around understanding what the data does or doesn’t tell us is a major factor in making AI work effectively. In the latest in his series, David Wray looks at getting data right and how causal AI might aid in offering decision-useful options.
Combating modern slavery: when Gen AI isn't enough
  • Article
  • 20 Jun 2024
Following his introduction to the iEARTHS’ artificial intelligence (AI) solution, David Wray discusses why causal AI was chosen over generative AI and how the team tackled bias and hallucinations.
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Courses and videos

Risk management and fraud courses

ICAEW's risk management and fraud courses address topics relevant to all levels of your organisation. Designed and delivered by experienced financial risk professionals. All CPD courses are live virtual classrooms and can be delivered in-house.
Find out more
Mortarboard and books
Displaying 1-4 of 4 results
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5 steps to know your client better using open source research, with Nick Bowen from the KPMG Forensic Team
  • Video
  • 26 Jan 2021
Alongside existing CDD procedures, open source research using publicly available information can help you get to know your clients better – protecting your business and your brand.
still image of financial controller working at desk
The financial controller who stole £20,000: 4 lessons to help you stop internal fraud
  • Video
  • 17 Mar 2021
The real case of a financial controller who attempted to steal £20,000 from her business, and the steps that chartered accountants can take to help prevent internal fraud from happening in their organisation.
Webinar title thumbnail for "The chief financial officer who tried to trick the market"
4 ways for chartered accountants to stop criminal activity in their organisation
  • Video
  • 07 Apr 2021
The real case of a CFO who tried to manipulate his company’s financial position to support its share price, and 4 ways that chartered accountants can help to stop false accounting fraud and similar criminal activity.
Thumbnail for video - title slide "How to prevent invoice fraud: A real life case of how a business that lost €500,000 to cyber criminals"
How to prevent invoice fraud: A real life case of how a business that lost €500,000 to cyber criminals
  • Video
  • 05 Mar 2021
Chartered accountants more than ever need to be alert to potential signs of fraud and manipulation of accounting records. We examine a real case of a business which lost half a million euros to invoice fraud.
Displaying 1-4 of 4 results

Fraud Advisory Panel resources

Guidance, research and training resources on fraud and cybercrime.

Find out more
Fraud Advisory Panel

Further resources

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