Based on the materials created by ICAEW’s Tech Faculty, these resources became available to the wider ICAEW membership in January 2022.

Find out more about how ICAEW's provision of information on technology is changing.

Chartech magazine

Chartech was the bi-monthly news magazine from the Tech Faculty. Its articles and news summaries aimed to keep members up to date with changes in technology. The last edition was published in December 2021.

November/December 2021

Listing
03 Dec 2021

In this final edition of Chartech: tech news round-up; how will the profession look in 2051; highlights from the former Tech Faculty; practice tips; accounting for the environment; Digitalisation of tax; Cybercrime week; cloud apps; smartphones; and Excel tips reflections.

September/October 2021

Listing
30 Sep 2021

In this issue: Tech Faculty is changing; topical tech news; public trust in data; cryptoassets; benefits of RPA; cyber crime insurance; hybrid working; Power Query; spyware; and data strategy

July/August 2021

Listing
30 Jul 2021

In this issue: Change management; topical tech news from around the world; how and why deepfakes work; project failures; artificial intelligence; formatted accounts; cyber attack on the US's Colonial Pipeline; and technology and the BEIS White Paper on audit reform.

May/June 2021

Listing
24 May 2021

In this issue: climate change and technology; successful accounting systems; keeping ahead of HMRC deadlines; fourth industrial revolution; protection from cyber attacks, the dark web; COVId-19 passports; and Excel Tips.

March/April 2021

Listing
30 Mar 2021

In this issue: Operational efficiency; topical tech news from around the world; agility is gaining popularity; surveillance of employees; big tech regulation; lessons from the FRC's consultation; pursuit of ethical AI; app stacks; and flaws in tech.

January/February 2021

Listing
25 Feb 2021

In this issue: Tech implications in the wake of the pandemic, holistic approach to tech, digital currency, future of remote auditing, forecasting, Python, and spreadsheet automation.

Excel news

News from our Excel community.

Exclusive How to review a spreadsheet

Article
16 May 2022

This series of six blogs will explore the Excel Community 2021 publication ‘How to Review a Spreadsheet – Reduce the risk that your spreadsheet gives you the wrong answer’.

Exclusive Working with Power Query – solving even more business problems

Article
12 May 2022

A great deal can be achieved in Power Query just by using the editor interface and allowing Power Query to create each formula line for us. However, understanding how to make simple edits in the formula bar can extend what Power Query is capable of. We will use the example of entering a value in a cell in an Excel worksheet to filter a transaction table by date. The example also shows how to make a value from a single worksheet cell available in the editor.

Exclusive Excel Tips and Tricks #443 - Next level FILTERing (The FILTER Function)

Article
11 May 2022

Hello all and welcome back to Excel Tips and Tricks! For today’s Creator post we’re looking at the FILTER function, which remains a relatively recent and underutilised addition to Excel. Given it opens up more sophisticated filter options than the standard drop-down filters, it’s time to change that.

Exclusive New dynamic array functions – be careful what you wish for

Article
08 Apr 2022

First of all, we'll cover the usual warning about Excel updates that are still in preview. They will initially only be available to those who have opted in to the more reckless update channels such as the Beta Channel and, as we saw recently with the XLOOKUP() function, they might change between the preview stage and eventual release.

Technology news from Insights

The latest news and features on all things technological and data related from our Insights section.

Cyber risks and data loss dominate director liability concerns

Article
11 May 2022

A volatile business environment due to the pandemic and geopolitical pressures means cyber risks are perceived as presenting the biggest liability risk to directors.

Why it pays to prepare for an economic crisis

Article
04 May 2022

The Ukraine conflict highlights how unpredictable global risks can be. In this environment, it helps to plan for the worst. Abigail Harper suggests six key areas of focus.

How accountants should combat the rising cybercrime threat

Article
29 Apr 2022

Almost half of organisations have been victims of fraud over the last 24 months, according to analysis by PwC. ICAEW’s tech experts highlight some of the tools around to help accountants counter the growing cyber threat.

Levelling up: how to fuel digital transformation

Article
27 Apr 2022

In Manchester, digital inclusion has already helped to stimulate economic growth. The government’s Levelling Up agenda needs to help develop the skills to match this.

Should accountants worry about cryptocurrencies?

Article
04 Apr 2022

Cryptocurrencies are on the rise – but are they friends or foes for accountants? We present complementary views from business and scholarly perspectives.

Regulators need to respond as banks go digital

Article
04 Apr 2022

The pandemic undoubtedly saw a boom in adoption of digital banking. Now, although customers might not notice it, a bigger change is afoot.

Webinar archive

Stay up-to-date with the fast moving technology world by viewing the Tech Faculty's archive of events and webinars. You can also browse 2021's programme of events.

Practical Excel tips 2021

Webinar
07 Dec 2021

Learn fundamental skills to save you time dealing with the most common problems faced when using Excel.

Digitalisation: new service line opportunities

Webinar
07 Oct 2021

Increased use of cloud-based digital solutions is proving hugely beneficial to firms in running their own businesses as well as their client’s.

What's your data strategy?

Webinar
05 Jul 2021

Demystifying data. Before organisations can gain any value from data it is critical to have a clear data strategy that ties into an organisation's overall strategy.

Cyber security and data protection for hybrid working

Webinar
24 May 2021

While many people are keen to return to the office after a year of home working, most employees want the option to work part of the week remotely.

Exclusive The lesser-known Microsoft 365 apps

Webinar
20 Apr 2021

We are all familiar with Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint & Word but Microsoft 365 subscribers get access to many other apps which most don’t know exist.

Exclusive Practical applications of AI

Webinar
17 Nov 2020

There is a lot of hype about AI at the moment, but to what extent are accountants really making use of AI?

The opinions expressed by external guest speakers in interviews or other publications included on this website are, by their nature, those of the speaker. They are not necessarily fully endorsed by the ICAEW or purport to reflect the official policies and views of the ICAEW or its members.

TECHtalk videos

Watch our series of brief videos that describe some of the core transformational technologies that will help shape the future of accountancy.

Blockchain, bitcoin and the future of the accountancy profession

Webinar
13 Mar 2019

Join Mark Taylor and David Lyford-Smith of ICAEW, and Aynsley Damery of the Clarity Project, for the second in our series of IT Faculty ‘Tech Talks’, this time on the subject of blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and how these will affect the future of the accountancy profession.

Cyber security: addressing a key business risk

Webinar
31 May 2019

A short film about cyber threats and how to mitigate the risk

Data – a world of opportunities

Webinar
18 Jun 2019

Join Mark Taylor and Kirstin Gillon of ICAEW, and Anthony Sayce FCA of EY, for the fourth in our series of Tech Faculty ‘Tech Talks’, this time on the subject of data and the opportunities it presents for practice and business.

Practice tips

Practical advice, guidance and case studies written for members working in practice.

Exclusive Time for a rest over Christmas... or does the “tax returns outstanding list” spoil it?

Article
20 Dec 2021

Whilst offices tend to ostensibly close as far as the public are concerned, it does not mean that everyone is not actually working.

Exclusive Real world IT problems... wasted time when the IT doesn’t work

Article
13 Dec 2021

When everything works as expected and anticipated, there are no grumbles or complaints (well may be a few!).

Exclusive Alternative methods can save you time

Article
30 Nov 2021

I was on a product support call recently with a practitioner. We had tried talking through the issue he was having by telephone, but this was not getting very far.

Tech Essentials

The tech essentials guides update members on the latest technology issues affecting the accountancy profession, mixing practical tips and expert insight.

Exclusive The essential guide to data protection when outsourcing

eBook
25 Nov 2019
PDF (318kb)

It is often said that data is the new oil – the raw material that drives industry in so many ways. Like all resources, data needs to be used wisely and protected. This guide looks at protecting data when using outsourced services.

Exclusive The essential guide to data analytics for smaller firms

Helpsheets and support
29 Jul 2019
PDF (508kb)

Data – how you get it and what you do with it – has been an important part of the accountant’s role since the beginning; but it is only now, with data exploding in volume, variety and velocity, that accountants can start to add serious value to their business and that of their clients. As the guide says, ‘data analytics can broadly be defined as the use of data to support business decisions’.

Exclusive The essential guide to the virtual FD

Report
23 May 2019
PDF (274kb)

The Essential Guide to the Virtual Financial Director provides examples of how practitioners are providing this valuable service to a range of clients today. By reading the guide you will become familiar with the key concepts and be able to start exploring new services to your clients.

Exclusive The essential guide to cryptocurrency

Helpsheets and support
04 Apr 2019
PDF (277kb)

How do you account for cryptocurrencies? What tax is payable on crypto-transactions? What is the difference between a cryptoasset and a cryptocurrency? What is an ICO? This tech essentials publication provides guidance to help answer some of those questions.

Thought leadership

Read the latest thinking from ICAEW on how to ensure information services are working effectively and accountants are making the most of new technologies.

New technologies, ethics and accountability

Thought leadership report
03 Jul 2019

This thought leadership report delves into the ethics of new technology and the seismic developments currently taking place in AI and algorithms, which are both exciting and morally concerning.

Improve your financial modelling practice

Thought leadership report
12 Nov 2018

ICAEW’s Excel Community has worked with a broad swathe of modelling organisations and experts, taking a half dozen methodologies and paring down to the commonly held, widely accepted beliefs about what constitutes good modelling.

Hybrid working and the future of work

Hub page
18 Aug 2021

What opportunities and challenges will come with moving to a more digital workplace?

Automation in finance functions: lessons from India and the UK

Thought leadership report
15 Sep 2020

Drawing on real-life experiences, this collaborative thought leadership report by ICAEW and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) considers how finance functions can harness automation to deliver greater value to business and the skills needed by accountants in the future.

Other tech publications and webinars

Exclusive Accelerate your evolution

Article
12 Jul 2019

Decisions on investment in technology today will shape how well you can exploit it tomorrow – inside and outside your practice.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): tech considerations around home working

Helpsheets and support
26 Mar 2020

26 March 2020: coronavirus is forcing many people to work from home to reduce social contact and minimise the associated risk of transmitting the disease. Technology is key to helping people work at home, so what are some of the things to consider when setting up and managing home working for your staff over the coming weeks and months? 

Join the Excel community

Do you use Excel in your organisation? Are you using it to its maximum potential? Develop your skills and minimise spreadsheet risk with the Excel resources provided by the Excel Community.

Membership is open to everyone - non ICAEW members are also welcome to join. Group membership for organisations is also available.

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More resources

Explore some of the other resources ICAEW produces on technology and data analytics.

Data Analytics Community

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Develop the advanced data analytics and visualisation skills needed to succeed in this insight-driven era.

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Resources

Technology

Keep up-to-date with tech issues and developments, including artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, big data, and cyber security.

Webinars and publications on technology and data