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Regulation and Conduct News September 2025

This month, we remind you of the upcoming deadline requiring sole practice auditors to appoint an alternative by 1 December and invite you to register for our next webinars: CPD Monitoring Insights, 2025 AML Reports and the final Audit Monitoring Insights events on ISQM 1 and the Ethical Standard. We also highlight new guidance on the 2025 National Risk Assessment and invite you to share your experiences and perspectives on navigating UK sanctions. We also provide guidance for IPs following the recent High Court decision about Members Voluntary Liquidations.

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Key reminders and updates

Disciplinary update: August 2025

Take note of the latest disciplinary cases to ensure you or your firm are not making similar mistakes.

Helen Poole appointed Chair of ICAEW's Audit Registration Committee

The ICAEW Regulatory and Conduct Appointments Committee has announced the appointment of Helen Poole as the new chair of the Audit Registration Committee.

First corporate criminal offence prosecution

Media reports suggest that Stockport accountancy firm, Bennett Verby Ltd, has been charged with failure to prevent the facilitation of UK tax evasion in connection with an alleged research and development (R&D) tax credit repayment fraud.

UK regional screenings of Crossing the Line
Register for one of our UK in-person screenings of our newest audit training film.
Look out for 2026 fee renewal notices

2026 notices will be emailed throughout November. For convenient payment, set up a Direct Debit now by completing this mandate and email it to creditcontrol-psd@icaew.com.

CPD Monitoring Insights Webinar
This free webinar will present the findings from the first year of CPD monitoring under the revised ICAEW CPD Regulations. This is a good opportunity to review your understanding of the recently updated CPD requirements as we approach the start of the 2025-26 CPD year and as we continue to cycle through our CPD monitoring activity. 
See more Regulatory and Conduct news

Audit

Audit monitoring insights – Ethical Standard
Register for this webinar to refresh your knowledge of auditor independence threats, safeguards, and ethical requirements. Gain insight into common weaknesses found in monitoring and significant independence issues.
Audit monitoring insights webinar: ISQM 1 implementation

Register for the third webinar in our audit monitoring series tailored to medium-sized and larger non-PIE audit firms, focusing on ISQM 1 implementation. 

Sole practice auditors – have you appointed an alternate?

An important change was made to the UK Audit Regulations on 1 June 2025 which requires sole practice auditors to appoint an alternate. If you are a sole practice auditor, you have until 1 December 2025 to appoint your alternate. Complete the form to notify us about your alternate’s details. 

See more audit news

Anti-money Laundering (AML)

National risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing 2025
The NRA is the UK’s stock-take of our collective knowledge of money laundering and terrorist financing risks in the UK. Read our guidance on the latest assessment which was published in August 2025.
ACSPs: Key information for sole practitioners
Visit our ACSP hub to access key information for sole practitioners wanting to register as authorised corporate service providers or perform ID verification. Make sure you select the correct firm name and type of business when applying on the Companies House website (select 'other' not 'sole trader'). 
2025 AML reports and results webinar
Listen to ICAEW’s anti-money laundering (AML) supervisory team discuss the latest monitoring review results, an update on our supervisory activity and this year’s thematic review on suspicious activity reports.
AMLbites: Customer due diligence series
Our three part series focusing on Customer due diligence has been updated. We provide you with practical advice and ICAEW resources to support you in meeting your AML obligations.
UK Sanctions Perception Survey
This is an opportunity to share your organisation's experiences and perspectives navigating UK sanctions compliance requirements. The survey responses will provide His Majesty’s Government with valuable insights to identify knowledge gaps, explore ways to improve industry compliance, and minimise barriers to legitimate business.
New SARs in Action magazine

Issue 33 of the SARs in Action magazine is now available, this special issue focuses on organised immigration crime.

UKFIU SAR best practice guidance video series
Watch the UKFIU's short video series highlighting best practice for submitting Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs). Covering key topics such as glossary codes, reasons for suspicion and what happens after submitting a DAML or DATF, the videos are designed to support firms in improving the quality of their SARs.
Proposed amendments to the Money Laundering Regulations
HM Treasury invites feedback on amendments to the UK’s Money Laundering Regulations. The consultation closes 30 September 2025.
See more AML news

Probate

Third-party delays in probate: what you need to know
Share our latest article with your clients to help them better understand the probate process, highlighting where delays commonly occur and how firms can provide support throughout.
HMCTS updates for probate practitioners: 25 September 2025
Join HMCTS for an online general service update from the team. There will be time for you to share your feedback and ask questions.
2025 Mercia legal services training provider review
Mercia has been the main provider of probate training for ICAEW authorised individuals since 2014. Every two years, ICAEW undertakes a review of Mercia’s performance as a training provider. Read the results of our review in 2025.
See more Probate news

Insolvency

New Insolvencybites
An updated Insolvency Code of Ethics will come into effect on 1 October 2025. To make sure you understand the revisions our Director of Regulatory Policy has put together a short video explaining the key changes. 
Insolvency News, issue 16
In our latest issue, read our guidance on the recent High Court decision affecting MVLs, plus take this last chance to respond to the SIP 14 consultation, learn about upcoming changes to the Insolvency Code of Ethics and don't miss CPD opportunities and useful resources.
Guidance for IPs on recent High Court decision about MVLs
The recent High Court decision in the case Noal SCSP & Ors v Novalpina Capital LLP & Ors EWHC 1392 (Ch) has shifted the approach to Members Voluntary Liquidations (MVLs). Read our guidance (prepared by ICAEW, IPA and ICAS) on the steps IPs can take in light of this decision. 
See more Insolvency news
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