Latest articles on business law, trust and ethics

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.

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

The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2026 came into force on 30 June 2026, making 15 targeted changes to the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017. The accountancy sector's anti-money laundering guidance has been updated to reflect the new regulations and to incorporate a small number of additional changes.

New guidance from the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants outlines the biggest risk areas for emerging technologies such as AI.

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 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.

New guidance is available for when you are applying as a tax agent with HMRC. Ensure your processes are up to date.

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.

The Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies has launched a discussion about ethical AI use. It wants you to consider how to approach five ethical dilemmas.

Parliament has approved the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2026, introducing 15 targeted reforms to strengthen the UK’s AML regime while reducing unnecessary compliance burdens on firms. The amendments came into effect on 30 June 2026.