Accountancy Insights: Kemi Badenoch on growth and the profession
In this special episode of Accountancy Insights, we bring you a timely interview of Kemi Badenoch by ICAEW’s Chief Executive Alan Vallance who sat down with her after a speech she gave at Chartered Accountants’ Hall.Badenoch talked about tackling perennial long-term problems like productivity and smarter regulation. She spoke with feeling about her frustration when, as Business Secretary in the previous Conservative government, she would meet with business leaders who showed her how debilitating regulation could be for business if the consequences of new laws are not thought through properly.Drawing on her tech background, she also disagreed with her former colleague Jeremy Hunt that AI would replace accountants, saying “I don’t think accountants have anything to worry about.” ICAEW’s Chief Policy and Communications Officer Iain Wright then joins our host Philippa Lamb to discuss Badenoch’s proposals and how it’s further evidence of ICAEW’s unique position as a leading voice for business.Links ICAEW: More on Kemi Badenoch’s speech - https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/sep-2025/kemi-badenoch-speaks-at-icaew-we-need-to-take-risksICAEW Policy: How the government can deliver growth - https://www.icaew.com/about-icaew/regulation-and-the-public-interest/policy/how-the-government-can-deliver-growth HostPhilippa LambGuestsIain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, ICAEWProducerNatalie ChisholmEpisode first published: 18 September 2025Podcast recorded: 12 September 2025
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Accountancy Insights: Companies House update, scaling up smartly and the Next Generation ACA
Accountancy Insights explores the month’s top stories in the profession.In this episode, we discuss the introduction of four statutory instruments to enforce Companies House reform, as well as the common mistakes to avoid when scaling up a business. We also cover the introduction and content of the Next Generation ACA qualification.Philippa Lamb is joined by Mike Miller, ICAEW Economic Crime Manager; Anne Allibone, fractional CFO and commercial advisor; and Shaun Robertson, ICAEW Director of Education and Qualifications.Time codes00:30 Companies House update11:00 Scaling up smartly21:54 The Next Generation ACA LinksICAEW: Four draft instruments brought in to enforce Companies House reform: https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/jul-2025/four-draft-instruments-brought-in-to-enforce-companies-house-reformICAEW: How to grow hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/business/how-to-grow ICAEW: Next Generation ACA hub: https://www.icaew.com/learning-and-development/aca/next-generation-aca HostPhilippa Lamb GuestsMike Miller, Economic Crime Manager, ICAEWAnne Allibone, fractional CFO and commercial advisorShaun Robertson, Director, Education and Qualifications, ICAEW ProducerNatalie Chisholm Episode first published: 11 September 2025
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Accountancy Insights: Can history teach us anything about digital money?
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we explore what the history of money can tell us about its future.Currency has been evolving for thousands of years, but the pace of change has now escalated with the introduction of online banking and digital currencies. We discuss the parallels between modern and historical advances in currency, and key lessons as central banks look to introduce their own digital currencies.Host Philippa Lamb is joined by Polly Tsang, Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager at ICAEW; and Dr Tony Moore, Lecturer in Finance at Henley Business School.Links ICAEW Technology hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/technology ICAEW Financial Services Faculty: https://www.icaew.com/technical/financial-servicesHostPhilippa LambGuestsPolly Tsang, Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager, ICAEWDr Tony Moore, Lecturer in Finance, Henley Business SchoolProducerNatalie ChisholmEpisode first published: 20 August 2025Podcast recorded: 13 August 2025
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Accountancy Insights: Bonus episode - how to tackle late payments
ICAEW’s Iain Wright hosts a conversation with Emma Jones CBE, the government’s newly appointed Small Business Commissioner, in this special episode of Accountancy Insights. Jones discusses the Small Business Plan, launched on 30 July, which introduces new measures to tackle late payments. Estimates place the cost of late payments to the UK economy at £11bn per year as well as contributing to the closure of 38 businesses each day. Upcoming legislation will also reduce maximum payment terms from 60 to 45 days . She also shares learnings from a career spent in small business. Jones founded and exited her first business at the age of 27 and then went on to establish both Enterprise Nation and StartUp Britain to support small and young businesses across the country. She has also previously served as SME Representative for the Crown Commercial Service. Links Policy paper: ‘Backing your business: Our plan for small and medium-sized businesses’: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/688b1f6f1affbf4bedb7b11d/our-plan-for-small-and-medium-sized-businesses.pdf Open consultation: ‘Late payments: tackling poor payment practices’: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/late-payments-tackling-poor-payment-practices ICAEW Small and Micro Business Community: https://www.icaew.com/technical/small-and-micro-business-community HostIain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, ICAEW GuestEmma Jones CBE, Small Business Commissioner ProducerNatalie Chisholm Episode first published: 12 August 2025Podcast recorded: 7 August 2025
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Accountancy Insights: Inside the Post Office Inquiry and new mid-tier research
In this episode, we discuss the findings of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry’s first report, including lessons for other companies around culture and values. We also explore ICAEW’s latest research into mid-tier practices, covering the key drivers of growth and the biggest challenges ahead. Philippa Lamb is joined in the studio by Peter van Veen, ICAEW Director of Corporate Governance and Stewardship; and Sarah Ghaffari, ICAEW Director of Communities, Business and Practice. Time codes00:39 Inside the Post Office Inquiry22:29 New mid-tier research LinksICAEW event: Post Office treatment and abuse of Sub Post Masters: https://events.icaew.com/pd/31471/follow-up-post-office-treatment-and-abuse-ofICAEW: Evolution of mid-tier accountancy firms: https://www.icaew.com/technical/practice-resources/evolution-of-mid-tier-accountancy-firms HostPhilippa Lamb GuestsPeter van Veen, Director, Corporate Governance and Stewardship, ICAEWSarah Ghaffari, Director, Communities, Business and Practice, ICAEW ProducerNatalie Chisholm Episode first published: 22 July 2025Podcast recorded: 15 July 2025
In this podcast series from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), a panel of guests dissect the latest headlines and provide expert analysis on the top stories from across the world of business, finance and accountancy
UK