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Trust & Ethics

Guidance and resources on key issues, including economic crime, business law, better regulation and ethics. Read through ICAEW’s Code of Ethics and supporting information.

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Key resources

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ICAEW's Ethics CPD course is designed to help you apply the Code of Ethics to everyday situations and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.
Regulation

ICAEW Code of Ethics

ICAEW's Code of Ethics applies to all members, students, affiliates and employees of member firms.
Guidance and the code
Get involved

Global Ethics Day

Each year, ICAEW celebrates Global Ethics Day with a live event and expert views. The theme for 2026 is “Trust in the Digital Age" and our event will be held on 24 October at Chartered Accountants' Hall.
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Supporting accountants

Ethics and AI

In 2024, ICAEW’s Trust and Ethics Team hosted roundtables on shaping guidance for the accountancy profession on the ethical use of artificial intelligence. Read an overview of the discussions, offering insights into real-life use cases and the risks that must be managed.
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Business law

Better Regulation

Drawing on our experience and insights from ICAEW members, our better regulation work contains information on the UK’s regulatory regime and considers how it might be improved.
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Online training

Ethics CPD course

ICAEW has created a free online ethics course to support members in meeting their changing continuing professional development (CPD) requirements
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Ethics

Protecting client confidentiality: internal controls and the ICAEW Code of Ethics
  • Article
  • 28 Jul 2026
Members are reminded that the duty to protect client confidentiality under the ICAEW Code of Ethics applies both externally and within the firm. Sophie Wales, Regulatory Policy Director, ICAEW, explains why firms need strict controls over how confidential information is shared, managed and used across their organisation.
The Insolvency Service - call for case study papers
  • Article
  • 27 Jul 2026
The Insolvency Service is inviting insolvency practitioners to submit case study papers highlighting how professional and ethical standards operate in practice, with selected contributors given the opportunity to present their insights at a Joint Insolvency Committee (JIC) strategy day. Deadline is 28 August 2026.
Exclusive Solicitors Conference 2026: practical insight for a changing sector
  • Article
  • 21 Jul 2026
ICAEW’s virtual Solicitors Conference is on 6 October 2026, join for practical insight into regulation, COFA responsibilities, law firm performance, mergers, client account interest and the future of legal regulation.
Exclusive The COFA’s register of breaches
  • Article
  • 17 Jul 2026
A COFA breaches register is essential for SRA compliance, helping record, review and assess breaches, identify trends, support reporting decisions and evidence a strong compliance culture.
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Videos on ethics

The latest ethics related videos, webinars and podcasts from ICAEW. Find expert insight into ethical decision making, speaking up and ethical standards, which will support your professional development.

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The latest ethics related videos, webinars and podcasts from ICAEW. Find expert insight into ethical decision making, speaking up and ethical standards, which will support your professional development.

ICAEW Code of Ethics

ICAEW's Code of Ethics applies to all members, students, affiliates, employees of member firms and, where applicable, member firms, in all of their professional and business activities, whether remunerated or voluntary. The latest edition came into force on 1 July 2025.

About the ICAEW Code of Ethics
  • Regulations
All ICAEW members have a professional duty to comply with the Code of Ethics. They must familiarise themselves thoroughly with the current version of the Code. Find out more about the Code and how to use it.
ICAEW Code of Ethics 2026
  • Regulations
  • PDF (4,110kb)
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.
Code of ethics - the five fundamental principles
  • Helpsheets and support
All ICAEW Chartered Accountants are bound by ICAEW’s Code of Ethics, which is based on five fundamental principles: integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentially and professional behaviour.
Code of Ethics - the conceptual framework
  • Helpsheets and support
All ICAEW Chartered Accountants are bound by ICAEW’s Code of Ethics, which contains the conceptual framework to help practitioners identify, evaluate and address threats to their compliance with the Code and its fundamental principles.
ICAEW Code of Ethics 2026
  • Regulations
  • PDF (4,110kb)
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.
The role and mindset expected of professional accountants
  • Helpsheets and support
An overview of the provision in ICAEW's Code of Ethics which are intended to promote the role and mindset expected of all professional accountants.
More support

Webinar: 2026 Code

On 19 May, ICAEW recorded a webinar outlining the 2026 update to the Code of Ethics and what the changes mean for accountants in practice. It covered the two new sections on tax planning services and activities; and the relationship between the Code and PCRT.

Watch the recording Download slides
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Business law

ICAEW's Business Law function leads ICAEW’s policy work on the UK’s regulatory regime and aspects of regulation including selected areas of company law and provides related resources to members including our briefing on the UK’s regulatory regime and our guide to directors’ duties.

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Better Regulation
Drawing on our experience and insights from ICAEW members, our better regulation work contains information on the UK’s regulatory regime and considers how it might be improved.
Pen, notepad and phone
UK company law
Resources include relevant ICAEW technical releases, such as guidance on dividends and distributable profits, and updates on key developments in regulation, prospective legislation and related matters of professional concern to accountants in practice, industry or commerce.
Directors duties
Our guide provides an overview of the key duties and responsibilities of directors, including for transactions between a company and its directors or shareholders (eg dividend payments), responsibilities for financially challenged companies and penalties for breach.
More information

Economic crime

Cyber roundup: the risk of falling behind
  • Article
  • 30 Jul 2026
Cyber threats are evolving rapidly. July’s round-up explores how agentic AI, state-backed actors and quantum computing continue to raise the stakes for organisations.
Eight steps to build a cyber resilient finance function
  • Article
  • 29 Jul 2026
In many cases, the finance function will be cyber attackers’ first port of call. Here are eight tips for bolstering its defences.
Tax news in brief 29 July 2026
  • Article
  • 29 Jul 2026
Highlights from the broader tax news for the week ending 29 July 2026, including guidance from HMRC on student loans and Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax.
Cyber security (UK)
  • Industry profile
  • 28 Jul 2026
A profile of the cyber security industry in the UK, from ICAEW's Library & Information Service.
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Anti-money laundering

Have your say on the future of insolvency rules for England, Scotland and Wales
  • Article
  • 22 Jul 2026
Insolvency practitioners are encouraged to share their practical experience as the UK Government reviews whether the Insolvency Rules remain effective, proportionate and ready for technological change. The consultation applies to England, Scotland and Wales and ends 6 October 2026.
Regulation and Conduct News July 2026
  • Newsletter
  • 15 Jul 2026
Find out about our new ICAEW Regulatory Board members. Read Practice Assurance insights from our quality assurance reviewers plus access resources and updates relevant to your role.
Evidence requirements for registering as a tax agent
  • Article
  • 09 Jul 2026
New guidance is available for when you are applying as a tax agent with HMRC. Ensure your processes are up to date.
Practice Assurance Monitoring Report 2026 webinar – insights from our reviewers
  • Article
  • 09 Jul 2026
In our recent webinar on ICAEW's Practice Assurance Monitoring Report 2026, Dean Neaves, Senior Manager, Quality Assurance Department, joined Quality Assurance Reviewers Dan Bevington and Hilary Barrett to discuss findings from more than 2,000 reviews completed in 2025. While the report highlights recurring areas requiring attention, the results show that most firms are meeting expected standards, with high levels of compliance, positive feedback on the monitoring process and strong awareness of cyber security risks.
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Bribery and corruption

ICAEW Code of Ethics 2026 - changes highlighted
  • Regulations
  • 14 Apr 2026
  • PDF (4,115kb)
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.
ICAEW Code of Ethics 2026
  • Regulations
  • 14 Apr 2026
  • PDF (4,110kb)
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.
ICAEW Guidance on Sanctions – effective 1 January 2026
  • Regulations
  • 01 Jan 2026
  • PDF (1,382kb)
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.
How the UK government plans to tackle corruption
  • Article
  • 19 Dec 2025
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.
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Fraud

Tax news in brief 17 June 2026
  • Article
  • 17 Jun 2026
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.
What ‘Know Your Customer’ best practice should look like for accountants in 2026
  • Article
  • 26 May 2026
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.
Are you taking fraud seriously enough?
  • Podcast
  • 20 May 2026
Fraud is the largest reported crime in England and Wales and with failure to prevent fraud now an offence, there is some onus on business to address the issue. But are enough businesses taking it seriously?
What the government’s new fraud strategies mean for business
  • Article
  • 16 Apr 2026
The government’s new £250m anti-fraud strategy signals a new approach in tackling the rising incidents of fraud-related crime. Find out the key actions and their implications for the work of accountants.
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Business Fraud Alliance an initiative from the Fraud Advisory Panel supported by Barclays

Help tackle fraud in the workplace

  • Website
  • 01 Sep 2025
The Business Fraud Alliance campaign - an initiative led by the Fraud Advisory Panel and supported by Barclays - is gathering real-world data about fraud to help protect businesses in future. Share your experiences by 30 September.
Take the survey

Modern slavery

Modern slavery signs that accountants are well placed to spot
  • Article
  • 30 Jul 2024
Businesses are increasingly raising concerns of modern slavery and recognising risks in their supply chains. Which red flags must accountants be particularly alert to?
The role of ethics within AI to combat modern slavery
  • Article
  • 05 Jul 2024
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.
Diving deeper into the data for combating modern slavery
  • Article
  • 26 Jun 2024
The challenges around understanding what the data does or doesn’t tell us is a major factor in making AI work effectively. In the latest in his series, David Wray looks at getting data right and how causal AI might aid in offering decision-useful options.
Combating modern slavery: when Gen AI isn't enough
  • Article
  • 20 Jun 2024
Following his introduction to the iEARTHS’ artificial intelligence (AI) solution, David Wray discusses why causal AI was chosen over generative AI and how the team tackled bias and hallucinations.
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Whistleblowing

Whistleblowing
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 15 Aug 2017
  • PDF (155kb)
Information and advice to help you decide when and how to 'blow the whistle'.
Exclusive Special Report 52: People and skills
  • Report
  • 29 Feb 2016
  • PDF (4,295kb)
This quarterly report deals with recruiting and retaining the right staff with good practical tips and advice from a variety of specialists.
Exclusive Special Report 40: Financial fraud
  • Report
  • 08 Mar 2013
  • PDF (769kb)
Financial Fraud: What it is, practical steps to reduce the likelihood of occurrence and how to minimise damage from the repercussions.
Potential requirement to override confidentiality when suspecting an illegal act (consultation)
  • Article
  • 06 Sep 2012
  • PDF (354kb)
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Meet the team

Learn more about the work of ICAEW's Trust & Ethics team and the expert groups who support us, including the Ethics Standards Committee, Business Law Committee and Insolvency Committee.

Find out more
ICAEW's Director of Trust and Ethics, Laura Hough, discusses why good people do bad things with industry experts in this ICAEW Insights Podcast.

Further resources

icaew communities
Corporate Governance Community
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Forensic & Expert Witness Community
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Restructuring & Insolvency Community
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Solicitors Community
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library resources
eBooks on law
  • Listing
related topics
Audit reform and trust in business
  • Hub page
Corporate governance
  • Hub page
Gender pay gap reporting: the regulations
  • Helpsheets and support
Professional conduct in relation to taxation (PCRT)
  • Helpsheets and support