Proposed changes to the eligibility criteria for firms using the description Chartered Accountants

The description Chartered Accountants is an important marker of professional standing, providing clients and the public with a clear signal of quality and trust. The rules governing its use must therefore protect public confidence while remaining clear and proportionate. However, the current criteria have developed over time and can be difficult to apply to some modern firm structures. In some cases, firms may need a dispensation even where Chartered Accountants have effective control.

ICAEW is seeking feedback on whether the proposed changes maintain appropriate Chartered Accountant control and ICAEW oversight, while reducing unnecessary complexity. We also want to understand whether there may be any unintended consequences for firms, clients or other stakeholders.

• A simpler test based on principals and voting control
• Recognition of indirect control
• Removal of non-voting share requirements
• An updated definition of a principal
• Further consideration of group and holding company structures
• Proposal to align the requirements for ICAEW general affiliates with other types of ICAEW affiliate
• Clarification of the factors for assessing dispensation applications from firms ineligible to use the description Chartered Accountants

• View the proposed new criteria, other proposed changes and respond to the consultation
• View a tracked changes version of the 2023 Regulations, showing changes proposed for 2027

Respond to the consultation online

Or

Post your response to:

Director, Regulatory Policy, ICAEW
Metropolitan House, Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 3FZ.

You may answer all questions or only those relevant to you.

Please contact us if you need anything further (for example for accessibility reasons) to enable you to submit your response.

The consultation is open from 9 September to 4 November 2026.

After the consultation closes, we will consider all the comments received, discuss the results with ICAEW Council and ICAEW Regulatory Board and make any resulting changes as appropriate.

A summary of the results and next steps will be published in 2027.