| ICAEW member firms are already subject to Practice Assurance and do not need to do anything further. You can check whether you are an ICAEW member firm. |
| If your firm doesn’t meet the definition of an ICAEW member firm, it will need to apply to be part of the scheme. |
How to apply to be part of ICAEW’s Practice Assurance scheme
Firms that aren’t already subject to Practice Assurance can apply to be part of the scheme in one of two ways.
- If your firm already has a C00 number, and you've completed an annual return in the last 12 months, complete and return any required probate application forms.
- If your firm doesn’t have a C00 number or you haven’t completed an annual return in the last 12 months, complete and return:
- any required probate application forms;
- a copy of the last set of accounts of the firm and any connected entities listed in the application to become an accredited probate firm; and
- examples of recent promotional materials and/or advertisements
| In either case, you should indicate in any covering letter or email that your firm is not currently subject to Practice Assurance. |
Please send your completed probate application forms to:
Professional Standards, Regulatory Support
ICAEW
Metropolitan House
321 Avebury Boulevard
Milton Keynes
MK9 2FZ UK
What happens next
Once we receive your completed probate application forms, we will draw up a standard contract. This includes the following obligations on the firm:
- to act in accordance with the Practice Assurance standards;
- to comply with the Code of Ethics and the Clients’ Money Regulations as if the firm were a ‘member firm’, ‘practising firm’ or ‘member’ as appropriate;
- to demonstrate a commitment to comply with the Money Laundering Regulations 2007; and
- to complete an annual return, be supervised and monitored.
Fee scales
We agree fees on a firm-by-firm basis based on individual circumstances and risk, which we assess during the application process. As an indication, a firm with one ICAEW principal and one non-ICAEW member principal should expect to pay no more than £470 (plus VAT) per year. Fees for larger firms will depend on the information provided at the time of application, including the firm's size, complexity and risk-profile, and the amount of affiliate fees already paid by the firm.
We charge an application fee when you submit the signed contract to ICAEW. We calculate the application fee based on the period between the start of the contract and 31 December. This means we can bill the annual fee on a calendar-year basis.
What being supervised via a contract means for you
We will conduct a monitoring visit typically once every four to eight years. The timing is determined by an agreed cycle according to the size of the firm. We may visit large or high-risk firms more frequently.
Use of ICAEW legend
After successfully addressing any matters identified in your firm’s monitoring visit, your firm can apply for approval to use the legend ‘A member of the ICAEW Practice Assurance scheme’.
