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Regulation

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.

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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.

A-Z of regulations and standards

Browse our full range of regulations, standards, guidance and ethics by title. You can also access regulations which were effective in previous years.

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.

Charter and Bye-laws
Information on ICAEW’s governance, including the Principal Bye-laws.
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.
CPD and training regulations
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.

Complaint and disciplinary processes

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
  • Listing
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.
What to do if you receive a complaint against you and/or your firm
  • Helpsheets and support
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.
Your firm's duty to investigate complaints
  • Helpsheets and support
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
  • Hub page
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, 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
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 09 Jun 2021
Information about the application process for regulated areas of work and the application forms.
Useful links

Please make use of the following resources to ensure you are up-to-date with the latest regulatory information and news: