ICAEW’s Practice Assurance Scheme provides a principles-based framework designed to support high standards of practice, compliance with professional obligations and adherence to applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

ICAEW’s 2026 Evolution of Mid-tier Accountancy Firms research points to a sector growing with confidence while navigating significant structural change. Private equity (PE) investment, artificial intelligence (AI) and a more complex economic and regulatory environment are continuing to shape mid-tier firms’ strategies, but the findings also show that growth remains widespread and is increasingly being pursued with discipline and selectivity in deciding which areas to expand.

2026 Statement on members engaging in public practice

Financing terrorism is a complex, shapeshifting crime that is harder to detect and less reported than its close relation, money laundering.

This version of the 2026 Code of Ethics highlights in orange key changes in the text from the 2025 edition. The changes includes two new sections relating to tax planning activities and services.

The 2026 edition of ICAEW's Code of Ethics comes into force on 1 July and includes, new sections on tax planning activities and services.

This guidance takes effect from 1 January 2026 and applies to any matter first considered by the Conduct Committee after that date. That means matters considered on or before 31 December 2025 will continue under the ‘Guidance on Sanctions’ (GOS) effective from 1 June 2023, through to final disposal, including the outcome of any challenge.

ICAEW welcomes the government’s new Anti-Corruption Strategy for its ambition to strengthen the UK’s resilience to illicit finance, but identifies three key areas where it must go further.

New technology means that criminals no longer rely on a real person’s identity to commit fraud. Now, they can create convincing new ones, using a mixture of real and fabricated details.

Guidance and resources on key issues, including fraud, business law, better regulation, GDPR, and modern slavery.

Highlights from the broader tax news for the week ending 17 June 2026, including an update from the government on HMRC’s efforts to tackle high street tax fraud.

Major consultancies and finance firms cite 'perpetual Know Your Customer (pKYC)' as the future of customer authentication, but ICAEW’s Head of Anti-Money Laundering, Michelle Giddings, says it may not translate to accountancy.

ICAEW is an approved regulator and licensing authority under the Legal Services Act 2007. Authorisation to undertake probate work and the administration of oaths is governed by the ICAEW Legal Services Regulations as amended from time to time. The principal regulatory framework is the ICAEW Legal Services Regulations.

ICAEW’s Practice Assurance Scheme provides a principles-based framework designed to support high standards of practice, compliance with professional obligations and adherence to applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

ICAEW is a designated professional body under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and licensed firms to carry out exempt regulated activities relevant to a wider professional service, The Committee also exercises functions in relation to consumer credit firms.

ICAEW is a recognised supervisory body (RSB) under the Companies Act 2006. Registration for audit by ICAEW is governed by the Audit Regulations and Guidance (1 June 2025) as amended from time to time. ICAEW is also the recognised supervisory body for local audit in England under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.

Guidance and resources on key issues, including fraud, business law, better regulation, GDPR, and modern slavery.

Businesses are increasingly raising concerns of modern slavery and recognising risks in their supply chains. Which red flags must accountants be particularly alert to?

Browse our range of resources on business and company law topics.

We complete our iEARTHS miniseries journey through an ethical lens. The ethical risks and challenges are real and require thoughtful reflection to protect what really matters: vulnerable individuals.