Charter and Bye-laws
Information on ICAEW’s governance, including the Principal Bye-laws.
Our role as an improvement regulator is to strengthen confidence and trust in those regulated by ICAEW. We do this by enabling, evaluating and enforcing the standards expected by the profession, oversight regulators and government.
ICAEW’s regulation and conduct roles are separated from ICAEW’s other activities through internal governance so that we can monitor, support and take steps to ensure change if standards are not met. These roles are carried out by the Professional Standards Department and overseen by the ICAEW Regulatory Board and oversight regulators including the Financial Reporting Council, Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision, the Insolvency Service and the Legal Services Board.
> Access more information on ICAEW’s role as an improvement regulator
Information on ICAEW’s governance, including the Principal Bye-laws.
Applies to all members, students, affiliates and, where applicable, member firms and employees.
Responsibilities and requirements of ICAEW membership.
Information on complaint, disciplinary and fitness processes and regulations.
Information on the regulations that govern ICAEW's range of qualifications, including the ACA.
This section contains regulations that apply to students undergoing training and sponsoring employers, including the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Regulations with which all ICAEW members are required to comply.
How to make a complaint, how we handle complaints, your duty to report misconduct and what you need to do if you are the subject of a complaint.
Past and future Disciplinary and Appeal Committee hearings, findings and orders.
Search for reports of disciplinary orders and regulatory decisions.
We expect ICAEW Chartered Accountants to maintain the highest standards of practice and conduct. All ICAEW members, firms, affiliates and 'relevant persons' have a duty to report any event which may indicate that they and/or another member, firm affiliate or 'relevant person' may be liable to disciplinary action by the ICAEW Conduct Department, regardless of the type of organisation you or they work for.
Information and support for ICAEW firms, members, affiliates, or any other relevant person who has received a complaint against them. We understand that finding out that a complaint has been made against you or your firm can be stressful. The information below is designed to guide you through the process.
The Disciplinary Bye-laws (DBLs) require that firms investigate complaints raised by their clients. The following guidance explains how to avoid complaints and what your firm needs to do if you receive a complaint from a client.
ICAEW's Professional Standards Department authorises and monitors members, firms and affiliates to undertake areas of work regulated by law.
ICAEW is the largest accountancy professional body supervisor in the UK. Learn more about our role
Firms working in the regulated area of audit must comply with the Audit Regulations and Guidance.
Local government and health bodies can procure and appoint their own auditors. We license, register and monitor auditors who carry out these audits.
As an approved regulator and licensing authority for probate services, we accredit firms to offer probate services to clients.
ICAEW is the UK’s largest insolvency regulator. ICAEW Chartered Accountants and non-ICAEW members can qualify and be licensed as insolvency practitioners with us.
This licence allows ICAEW firms to conduct restricted investment business which is incidental, complimentary and arising out of the firm's professional services.
Arrangements which allow ICAEW firms to provide consumer credit services.
Acces the latest feedback from our regulated firms on our monitoring review processes
Provides ICAEW members working in practice with a framework of principles-based quality assurance standards.
ICAEW licensed firms carry out ATOL reporting services for ATOL travel companies.
Before you engage in public practice in the UK, you need to hold an ICAEW practising certificate.
All ICAEW members with a practising certificate and engaging in public practice must have PII.
Regulations that determine how offices of firms must receive or hold clients’ money.
Compliance with PCRT is mandatory for members advising on UK tax matters.
Guidance and regulations for running your practice.
High-quality training tools that provoke discussion and challenge mindsets.
Our Technical Advisory team can help with technical, careers and ethics advice.
Access technical helpsheets, ethical guidance and practice resources by topic.
The charity supporting chartered accountants' wellbeing.
Information about the application process for regulated areas of work and the application forms.