Accountancy Insights

This episode looks at routes to the C-suite, and the traits, skills and capabilities you’ll need to get you there. Accountants are highly represented in the C-suite, with one in four CEOs holding the qualification according to research by Robert Half.

However, the working world is going through rapid technological and cultural transformation. So how is that changing the competencies that organisations look for in their leaders?  And how can you best prepare yourself for taking on those roles in the future?
Transcript
Read the full transcript of this episode here - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/how-to-get-to-the-c-suite/transcript

Links
ICAEW: Soft skills for leaders (CPD) - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/jul-2025/free-cpd-soft-skills-for-leaders
ICAEW: Traits of modern CFOs - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2024/jul-2024/what-traits-make-up-the-modern-cfo
ICAEW: Eight lessons from my first year as CFO - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/feb-2026/eight-lessons-from-my-first-year-as-a-cfo
ICAEW: How to deal with team conflict - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/jan-2026/management-skills-how-to-deal-with-team-conflict
Host
Philippa Lamb

Guests
Neil Cutting, Transformation Director at Oracle
Zana Goic Petricevic, leadership transformation expert
Richard Davis, founder and CEO, FNLY
Producer
Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 10 February 2026
Podcast recorded: 21 January 2026

This episode covers AI and tax work and ISA 600 on group audits, following the release of two pieces of guidance on the topics. 
With several tax cases in which AI has been used and provided incorrect or misleading information, we outline how to apply the five fundamental ethical principles to AI use. 
ISA 600 on group audits was revised, effective for audits of financial statements for periods commencing on or after 15 December 2023. These changes are quite wide ranging, particularly when it comes to the treatment of component auditors. We go through the details. 
Links:
ICAEW: Professional conduct in relation to taxation (PCRT) - https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/working-in-tax/pcrt
ICAEW: Auditing groups of companies - https://www.icaew.com/technical/audit-and-assurance/audit/group-audit
HMRC v Gunnarsson - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/688240632b6fd60b7c16100d/HMRC_v_Gunnarsson_final_decision.pdf
ICAEW: PCRT Guidance on ethical use of AI - https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/working-in-tax/pcrt/topical-guidance-application-of-pcrt-to-ethical-use-of-artificial-intelligence-tools
ICAEW: Use of AI criticised in tax case - https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2025/aug-2025/use-of-ai-criticised-in-tax-case
ICAEW: Group auditing: nine key changes for auditors - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2026/jan-2026/group-auditing-nine-key-changes-for-auditors
Host
Philippa Lamb
Guests
Sophie Wales, Director of Regulatory Policy at ICAEW
Catherine Hardinge, Partner, Price Bailey    
Producer
Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 3 February 2026
Podcast recorded: 28 January 2026

Celsius network claimed to be a safe place to trade digital currencies and assets. In reality, it was using customers’ money for its own ends. In the first Behind the Numbers of the New Year, we explore the collapse of digital currency platform Celsius network, the scandal that followed, and its lasting impact on crypto asset regulation, particularly custody.  
Since that scandal, international regulators including the Financial Conduct Authority have been looking at custody rules and wider regulation around digital assets. But are they on the right track?
Transcript
Read the full transcript of this episode here - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/how-the-celsius-scandal-is-reshaping-crypto-regulation/transcript
Links
Founder of Celsius sentenced to 12 years for fraud - https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/founder-celsius-sentenced-12-years-fraud-and-market-manipulation
Celsius investigation: all the red flags - https://fortune.com/2023/02/07/celsius-network-investigation-red-flags/
FCA Crypto Roadmap - https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/documents/crypto-roadmap.pdf
FCA: Stablecoin issuance and Cryptoasset Custody proposals - https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/consultation-papers/cp25-14-stablecoin-issuance-cryptoasset-custody
ICAEW: The Future of crypto regulation: key considerations - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/nov-2025/the-future-of-crypto-regulation-key-considerations
Host
Philippa Lamb
Guests
Polly Tsang, Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager, ICAEW
Jessica Caws, Co-Head of Financial Services at Birketts LLP
Shermeen Kazmi, Partner, Grant Thornton
Producer
Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 12 January 2026
Podcast recorded: 16 December 2025

In the first episode of 2026, our usual team of soothsayers David Williamson, Frances Haque and Iain Wright review the events of the past 12 months, and look ahead to what we might expect in the coming year.

Will 2026 be more of the same, or will there be some reasons to be cheerful? Could the AI bubble burst, or will it just deflate? And did our panel get anything right last year?

Transcript
Read the full transcript of this episode - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/a-world-cup-bump-an-ai-slump-2026-predictions/transcript
Links
ICAEW: The 2025 predictions episode - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/accountancy-insights/trump-tariffs-and-eu-turmoil-2025-predictions
ICAEW: UK Business Confidence Monitor - https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy/business-confidence-monitor
‘The AI bubble will burst’ - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0m7h23s
Host
Philippa Lamb
Guests
Iain Wright, Managing Director, Reputation and Influence, ICAEW
David Williamson, Political Editor, Sunday Express
Frances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UK
Producer
Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 31 December 2025
Podcast recorded: 15 December 2025

With Christmas round the corner, we’ve put together a special best of episode of Behind the Numbers, featuring some of the most memorable conversations from throughout the year. 
From discussions of Trump and tariffs on our 100th episode to one of our favourite conversations on the history of money, it’s an excellent way to remind yourself of what went on this year – or catch up on what you’ve missed. 
Links:
ICAEW: Rebuilding trust in volatile times - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/rebuilding-trust-in-volatile-times
ICAEW: Appraising Starmer’s Labour - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/appraising-starmers-labour
ICAEW: How to bounce back from a cyber attack - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/how-to-bounce-back-from-a-cyber-attack
ICAEW: Dealing with uncertainty and mental health - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/dealing-with-uncertainty-and-mental-health
ICAEW: Can history teach us anything about digital money? - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/can-history-teach-us-anything-about-digital-money
Host
Philippa Lamb
Clips featuring
Iain Wright, Chief Policy & Communications Officer, ICAEW
David Williamson, Chief Political Commentator, The Express 
Frances Haque, Santander Chief Economist 
Neil Hare-Brown, Founder, STORM Guidance
Michael Hoare, partner, Kekst CNC
Paul Guess, Case Management Officer at CABA
Riaz Shah OBE, Professor of Practice, Hult International Business School
Tony Moore, Lecturer in Finance, Henley Business School
Polly Tsang, Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager, ICAEW
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 18 December
Podcast recorded: 7 November 2025