Charter and Bye-laws
Information on ICAEW’s governance, including the Principal Bye-laws.
We protect the public interest by making sure our firms, members, students and affiliates maintain the highest standards of professional competency and conduct. ICAEW’s regulatory and disciplinary role is independent of membership activities so we can monitor, support or take steps to ensure change if these standards are not met. This section explains how we maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and access to the regulations and guidance.
Regulatory update: COVID-19: Access the latest information on compliance and professional conduct and regulated areas and quality assurance monitoring. Access the ICAEW coronavirus hub for resources and business advice.
ICAEW Regulatory Board: An independent board, The ICAEW Regulatory Board (IRB) is responsible for overseeing ICAEW’s Professional Standards’ Department and the statutory regulatory role of ICAEW. And, to further protect the public interest, at least 50% of the IRB and the regulatory and disciplinary committee members are non-accountants. This governance structure and over 130 years of regulation expertise ensures we maintain the highest professional and ethical standards within the accountancy profession in a fair, accountable, consistent and transparent manner.
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 Continuing Professional Development Regulations.
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.
We expect ICAEW Chartered Accountants to maintain the highest standards of practice and professional conduct.
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.
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.
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.
Information about fees for regulated areas and affiliate fees.
Provides ICAEW members working in practice with a framework of principles-based quality assurance standards.
ICAEW is the largest accountancy professional body supervisor in the UK. Learn more about our role
ICAEW licensed firms carry out ATOL reporting services for ATOL travel companies.
Before you engage in public practice in the UK or the rest of the EEA, 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.
Listings of regulations, standards and guidance.