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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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Additional guidance and support

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.