Charter and Bye-laws
Information on ICAEW’s governance, including the Principal Bye-laws.
Regulation
Our role 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 through internal governance 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). Read more about our role as an improvement regulator.
Regulatory and conduct news
- Access the latest regulatory and conduct news in the regulatory and conduct news hub and follow the Regulation & Conduct LinkedIn page.
- Read the ICAEW Regulatory and Conduct Annual Report 2021-2022.
- Access more information about the ICAEW Regulatory Board.
- Regulatory consultations – have your say or view regulatory consultations.
- Regulatory e-newsletter hub – view our most recent regulatory newsletters.
ICAEW Codes and Regulations
ICAEW students, members, affiliates and firms are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of professional conduct and abide by these regulations and codes.
ICAEW Code of Ethics
Applies to all members, students, affiliates and, where applicable, member firms and employees.
ICAEW membership requirements
Responsibilities and requirements of ICAEW membership.
Complaint and disciplinary regulations
Information on complaint, disciplinary and fitness processes and regulations.
Qualification regulations
Information on the regulations that govern ICAEW's range of qualifications, including the ACA.
Training regulations
This section contains regulations that apply to students undergoing training and sponsoring employers, including Continuing Professional Development Regulations.
Professional conduct
Complaints
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.
Hearings, orders and decisions
Past and future Disciplinary and Appeal Committee hearings, findings and orders.
Disciplinary records search
Search for reports of disciplinary orders and regulatory decisions.
Guidance on your duty to report misconduct as an ICAEW member
We expect ICAEW Chartered Accountants to maintain the highest standards of practice and professional conduct.
What to do if you receive a complaint against you/your firm
Information and support for ICAEW members, firms and ACA students who have received a complaint against them. We understand that finding out a complaint has been made against you/your firm can be stressful. The information below is designed to guide you through the process.
Your firm's duty to investigate complaints
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.
Statutory regulated services overseen by ICAEW
ICAEW’s Professional Standards Department authorises and monitors members, firms and affiliates to undertake areas of work regulated by law.
Anti-money laundering supervision
ICAEW is the largest accountancy professional body supervisor in the UK. Learn more about our role
Audit
Firms working in the regulated area of audit must comply with the Audit Regulations and Guidance.
Local Public Audit
Local government and health bodies can procure and appoint their own auditors. We license, register and monitor auditors who carry out these audits.
Probate and estate administration
As an approved regulator and licensing authority for probate services, we accredit firms to offer probate services to clients.
Insolvency
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.
DPB (Investment Business) licence
This licence allows ICAEW firms to conduct restricted investment business which is incidental, complimentary and arising out of the firm's professional services.
Consumer credit
Arrangements which allow ICAEW firms to provide consumer credit services.
Quality assurance monitoring
Acces the latest feedback from our regulated firms on our monitoring review processes
Regulations for ICAEW practice members and firms
These regulations and frameworks are relevant to ICAEW Chartered Accountants working in accountancy firms and to the firms we monitor and supervise.
Practice Assurance scheme
Provides ICAEW members working in practice with a framework of principles-based quality assurance standards.
Licensed practices
ICAEW licensed firms carry out ATOL reporting services for ATOL travel companies.
Practising certificates
Before you engage in public practice in the UK or the rest of the EEA, you need to hold an ICAEW practising certificate.
Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII)
All ICAEW members with a practising certificate and engaging in public practice must have PII.
Clients' Money Regulations
Regulations that determine how offices of firms must receive or hold clients’ money.
Taxation (PRCT) Regulations
Compliance with PCRT is mandatory for members advising on UK tax matters.
Additional guidance and support
Practice management
Guidance and regulations for running your practice.
Educational films
High-quality training tools that provoke discussion and challenge mindsets.
Helpline
Our Technical Advisory team can help with technical, careers and ethics advice.
Helpsheets
Access technical helpsheets, ethical guidance and practice resources by topic.
CABA
The charity supporting chartered accountants' wellbeing.
Regulatory applications
Information about the application process for regulated areas of work and the application forms.