April 2021
Professional Standards update
Professional Standards update for April from Chief Officer Duncan Wiggetts.
Changes to Statements of Insolvency Practice 16 and 13: Effective 30 April 2021
New regulations which are due to come into effect on 30 April 2021 will impose additional obligations on connected person purchasers in administrations.
The Disciplinary Tribunal continues to be busy
Disciplinary update for April 2021 on recent disciplinary cases heard, including decisions and fines.
Accountants and Diversity
Diversity, breadth, range are all so important in our lives, in our professions and in how we are regulated, that it’s no surprise bringing it to the ICAEW’s Regulatory Board (IRB) is a serious priority. The IRB is committed to taking account of inclusion and diversity in its activities, writes Sarah Nathan, Chair of the Regulatory and Conduct Appointment Committee (RACAC).
Investigation committee: avoiding the risk of referral
No one wants to receive a complaint about their professional conduct, let alone have their case end up in front of ICAEW’s Investigation Committee (IC). We talk to Paul Brooks, the Committee’s Chair, about how members and firms can engage more effectively with the process, as well as how best to avoid a referral in the first place.
The ARC: maintaining balance in a complex business
We speak with Rama Krishnan, Chair of the Audit Registration Committee (ARC), about the role the ARC plays in maintaining trust in audit standards.
Virtual reviews: a guide to remote monitoring
“Be prepared” has always been good advice for firms gearing up for a monitoring review by ICAEW’s Quality Assurance Department (QAD). But with remote reviews now the norm under COVID-19 restrictions, this message has never been more relevant.
March 2021
AML – the essentials, issue 20
AML the essentials, issue 20 contains guidance on how to submit good quality SARs, red flag indicators shared by the Metropolitan Police and an invitation to attend an upcoming SARs webinar (which is being jointly hosted by the National Crime Agency).
ICAEW seeks to revoke Irish RAB status
ICAEW intends to seek the revocation of its Recognised Accountancy Body (RAB) status in Ireland with effect from 1 July 2021.
Understanding money laundering risks
3 March 2021: A shared understanding between law enforcement, supervisory bodies and firms of money laundering and terrorist financing risks is crucial to ensuring firms recognise when they are at risk of being used to facilitate money laundering.
Insolvency News, Issue 3 March 2021
This issue includes new guidance on marketing and advertising in the IVA sector, updated SIPs 3.2, 7 and 9 and advance warning that SIP 16 will also be updated soon due to new legislation.
Professional Standards update – Duncan Wiggetts (March 2021)
One of the important lessons I have learned from the pandemic is the value of regular and effective communications, so I am delighted to share my first monthly update which will also be included in a new monthly e-newsletter.
February 2021
Disciplinary update: January / February 2021
The Disciplinary Tribunal was busy during Q4 2020 dealing with the backlog of tribunal hearings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
ARC – what are the issues and how can they be avoided?
ICAEW’s Audit Registration Committee (ARC) undertakes ICAEW’s responsibilities as a recognised supervisory body for audit under the Companies Act 2006. Rama Krishnan, Chair of the ARC reviews the issues that are coming before the committee, largely as a consequence of Quality Assurance monitoring visits.
ICAEW takes the chair at the AML Supervisors Forum
ICAEW continues to be at the forefront of Anti Money Laundering (AML) supervision and now, throughout 2021, ICAEW’s Michelle Giddings, Head of AML, has been elected as Chair of the AML Supervisors Forum, set up by HM Treasury under the 2007 Money Laundering Regulations.
Keeping the Chartered Accountant’s badge shiny
If you or your firm are the subject of a complaint, what should you do? Importantly – don’t panic. Professional Conduct’s Investigation Team takes us through what you should – and should not – do.
Probate News
Issue 15 published.
How we cracked down on money laundering from home
Michelle Giddings, chair of the 2021 AML Supervisors Forum, outlines the measures ICAEW has taken to tackle anti-money laundering compliance during lockdown.
Probate: another string to your bow
Sole practitioner Vanessa Longley aims to increase her wills and probate workload to 70% of her revenue. Could other practitioners do the same?
January 2021
Insolvency practitioners: HMRC helplines currently closed
Contact ICAEW with your queries.
Audit News
Issue 67 published.
PII, Appeal and Fitness Committee Regulations updated
Minor updates to the PII, Appeal and Fitness Committee Regulations took effect on 1 January 2021.
- The PII Regulations: Guidance for the consideration of dispensation applications by the PII Committee and the requirement for firms to put in place run-off cover on ceasing practice have been updated.
- Appeal and Fitness Committee Regulations: The updates are to the procedural changes for the committees
End of the transition period: New Audit Regulations
In the UK, new January 2021 Audit Regulations are now effective. The major changes involve the qualification of EEA auditors and firms that could affect responsible individual (RI) status and ownership tests. In Ireland the January 2020 regulations continue to apply in respect of Ireland only.
December 2020
Remote auditing: a challenge for auditors during the COVID-19 crisis
Forced into remote working, with little peer support, and unable to visit client sites auditors are facing a new set of challenges.
Consultation: Proposed guidance for insolvency practitioners
The Financial Conduct Authority has published a consultation paper proposing guidance for insolvency practitioners on how to approach insolvencies of regulated firms (GC20/5).
The consultation closes on 18 January 2021.
Grace period for professional probate applications
The grace period for professional probate applications to move to HM Courts and Treasury Services' online system has been extended to 11 January.
November 2020
Insolvency News
Issue 2 was published.
Suspicious Activity Reports – Thematic Review, guidance and information
Access best practice guidance on procedures for reporting suspicious activities and staff training.
The ICAEW Regulatory Board is recruiting.
The IRB is looking for one accountant member and two non-accountant members.
October 2020
AML - the essentials
Issue 18 published
Probate News
Issue 14 published
Professional probate applications to be mandated to an online process
The government has decided to:
- mandate the use of the online service for grant of probate applications by professional users, with a number of exceptions for more specialised applications
- continue to allow professional user applications for grants of letters of administration to be made via either the online process or the traditional method of applying via paper.
The new rules come into force on 2 November 2020.
Your duty to report misconduct
Please review the new guidance on your duties to report misconduct
Why crisis management is vital for all firms
September 2020
CCAB Guidance and explanatory notes published
The Guidance is currently in draft form as it is not yet approved by HM Treasury.
The 2020 Audit Monitoring Report has been published
Download the latest advice from our Quality Assurance team.
Transparency benchmarking summary published
This summary report aims to help our probate accredited firms identify where they can improve on transparency ahead of our Autumn review.
The CCAB has published updated guidance for the January 2020 amendments of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017. This guidance has not yet been approved by HM Treasury.
Professional conduct extends beyond the office
How ICAEW members can insulate against rising professional indemnity rates in a hardening market
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August 2020
Practice Assurance and DPB (remote) monitoring guidance update
Consultation: mandatory online probate applications
Government has published a consultation paper on changing the non-contentious probate rules to make it mandatory for professional users to use the online process.
Deadline for responses 10 September.Keep ethics front and centre — always
Ethics underpins the work of Chartered Accountants, both in business and in practice. Keeping up to date with the latest ethical requirements is a vital part of CPD. -
July 2020
AML, the essentials
Issue 17 publishedSARs in Action
The July 2020 edition of the UKFIU's Reporter Booklet has been published.How to avoid compliance pitfalls in a post-pandemic world
Insights articleProbate News
Issue 13 publishedThe Legal Services Board has approved changes to ICAEW's regulatory arrangements
The LSB's approval is a key step to ensure ICAEW's compliance with the Board's revised internal governance rules for regulators of legal services. -
June 2020
Insolvency News
Issue 1 published.Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020
The Act came into force on 26 June 2020.The 2020 Anti-money Laundering Monitoring Report is published
Download the latest advice for ICAEW money laundering reporting officers and compliance principals.The 2020 Insolvency Monitoring Report is published
Download the latest advice for ICAEW IPs.Updated PII Regulations, effective from 29 May 2020
Minor changes including a change to the insurer definition. -
May 2020
May 2020: Suspicious Activity Reporting
New glossary codes published.ICAEW Regulatory Board publishes annual report
Public interest and transparency remain at the forefront of everything the IRB does.Charity Commission review: reporting matters of material significance
The Charity Commission has confirmed that it will be conducting an ongoing review of the reporting of matters of material significance by auditors and independent examiners.Audit News
Issue 66 published. -
April 2020
New eligibility guidance and case studies for probate firms
Has a change in your firm structure impacted on your eligibility?COVID-19: Quality assurance monitoring and regulatory support
Latest changes to monitoring procedures and how we can helpCOVID-19: Professional conduct and investigation guidance
Expectations of firms / members and our proportionate approachProfessional indemnity insurance: advice on the impact of Covid-19
Key minimum wording clauses and the need to prepare early for renewal.New measures to support insolvency practitioners
Easing the burden during the coronavirus outbreak414 AML monitoring review visits were carried out with ICAEW AML firms in Q1 2020
ICAEW AML supervisory role and activity Q1 2020 publishedNew Insolvency Code of Ethics effective from 1 May 2020
The insolvency Code has been rewritten using the new IESBA methodology of requirements and application material, following the format used in ICAEW’s main Code of Ethics.Probate: Statements of truth to be used as an alternative to affidavits
Authorisation has been given to allow statements of truth for some non-contentious probate processes.COVID-19 Guide to client due diligence and other issues to consider
As COVID-19 continues to disrupt business activity and social distancing becomes widespread, firms may have concerns over how this impacts their ability to comply with the money laundering regulations. ICAEW has issued a guide on how to adapt client take-on procedures to reflect more remote interactions with clients.AML – the essentials
Issue 16 published -
March 2020
Follow the money: How to combat money laundering
Firms need to be alert to the constantly shifting threat of money launderingProbate News
Issue 12 publishedConsultation open: Statements of Insolvency Practice 3.1, 3.2, 7 and 9
Give your feedback on the proposed changes.Automatic registration for Irish audit registration has ceased
Firms that have not opted-in to the Irish Audit Register are no longer registered to carry out audit work in Ireland.Audit News
Issue 65 published. -
February 2020
ATOL News
Issue 3 published.DPB Update
Issue 13 published. -
January 2020
New ICAEW Code of Ethics
Effective 1 January 2020
Useful links
Please make use of the following resources to ensure you are up-to-date with the latest regulatory information and news: