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Insights

Pulling together opinion, analysis, interviews and features on the profession along with a focus on the key issues affecting accountancy and the world of business.

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Stephen Relf with Lindsey Wicks and Rebecca Benneyworth
The Tax Track

The latest on MTD income tax

  • Podcast
  • ICAEW
In this episode, we look at recent developments, including HMRC’s plans to contact taxpayers, and we draw on the experience of special guest Rebecca Benneyworth to explain what you can do to prepare for the challenges ahead.
Listen now

Latest news

Free CPD: Getting started on global trade
  • Article
  • 07 Nov 2025
Branching out into international sales can feel like a big step, but it holds many opportunities. Your ICAEW membership offers access to resources that will expand your export knowledge and confidence this International Trade Week.
How are stablecoins taxed?
  • Article
  • 07 Nov 2025
Stablecoins are being considered as an increasingly popular use case for cryptoassets. But how does tax and accounting apply to them? Dion Seymour, Crypto and Digital Asset Technical Director and Ben Lee, Partner at Andersen in the UK, explain.
ITW: Five steps to identify new trade opportunities in volatile markets
  • Article
  • 07 Nov 2025
Importing or exporting to new territories can be risky, especially when global conditions are volatile. Here’s a step-by-step guide to assessing an opportunity.

Latest tax news

Tax return tips for sole traders: the cash basis
  • Article
  • 06 Nov 2025
ICAEW’s Tax Faculty explains why changes to the cash basis should not be overlooked when completing the self-employment pages of the 2024/25 tax return.
Most businesses and agents see no benefits to MTD income tax
  • Article
  • 04 Nov 2025
A recent survey of businesses and agents found that while awareness of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax has improved, it is expected to increase costs and time pressures without having any benefits for businesses.
Tax news in brief 4 November 2025
  • Article
  • 04 Nov 2025
Highlights from the broader tax news for the week ending 4 November 2025, including: improvements to HMRC’s MTD software choices tool; and new tax exemptions for compensation payments made to postmasters.

Insights specials

A listing of one-off Insights specials that focus on a particular subject, interviewing the key people, identifying developing trends and examining the underlying issues.

How to fix VAT
  • Hub page
ICAEW explores the challenges and opportunities offered in reimagining VAT and it's application. Read about the history of VAT, the lessons that can be learned from outside the UK and the potential of digitalisation.
Global Ethics Day
  • Hub page
ICAEW celebrates Global Ethics Day each year. The 2025 theme is "Ethics Re-envisioned,” challenging us to think boldly about how we embed ethical principles into the heart of our organisations.
Local government finance: skills for the future
  • Hub page
Improving financial skills at local authorities is critical in balancing the books and delivering value for citizens. As backstop dates for audited accounts come into force, ICAEW explores how local authorities can strengthen their approach to financial management.

Accounting Intelligence

ICAEW has created a range of resources to support members in business and practice build their understanding of AI. There are video masterclasses, as well as features discussing opportunities, challenges, limitations, risk management and ethics.

Browse resources Watch AI masterclasses
Computer screen with text relating to generative AI

Videos

AI masterclass Konrad Bukowski-Kruszyna ACA, Head of Audit Data Analytics, RSM UK outlines how generative AI can help ensure that audit sampling is being handled correctly.
AI masterclass on better audit sampling
  • Video
  • 29 Oct 2024
Konrad Bukowski-Kruszyna ACA, Head of Audit Data Analytics, RSM UK outlines how generative AI can help ensure that audit sampling is being handled correctly.
Busy road in London
What is VAT?
  • Video
  • 19 Nov 2024
Value added tax is a vital tool for raising revenue to fund education, healthcare and more. We explain how it works and how it could be improved.
AI masterclass Jenny Blewett FCA, Head of Finance at Costello Medical talks about how she used generative AI to help check her firm’s banking controls when she was new in post
AI masterclass on reviewing company controls
  • Video
  • 30 Oct 2024
Jenny Blewett FCA, Head of Finance at Costello Medical talks about how she used generative AI to help check her firm's banking controls when she was new in post
Video thumbnail - bird's view of a city
Private equity: is it here to stay?
  • Video
  • 22 May 2024
Matt Meadows, Managing Partner, Moore Kingston Smith, and Caroline Monk, Executive Partner, Beever and Struthers, on their views of private equity on the accountancy sector.

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.

Podcast episodes

Tax returns and Finance Bill concerns
  • Podcast
  • 01 Oct 2025
In this episode of The Tax Track, we look ahead to the 2024/25 tax return season, highlighting areas to watch out for, and explain our concerns with draft legislation for Finance Bill 2025/26 that promises to make significant changes to the tax system, particularly for agents.
Kemi Badenoch on growth and the profession
  • Podcast
  • 18 Sep 2025
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.
Companies House update, scaling up smartly and the Next Generation ACA
  • Podcast
  • 11 Sep 2025
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.

Charts of the week

A selection of graphical charts
Chart of the week: Retail sales in Great Britain
  • Article
  • 07 Nov 2025
Our chart this week breaks down the £529bn of sales made by retailers in England, Wales and Scotland in the year to September 2025.
A selection of graphical charts
Chart of the week: Households in England
  • Article
  • 31 Oct 2025
The recent passing of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 prompts our chart of the week to take a look at just how many households there are in England.
A selection of graphical charts
Chart of the week: US federal finances FY2025
  • Article
  • 24 Oct 2025
Our chart this week looks at how the US federal government is funded and what it spends its money on.

Insights by topic

Student Insights Interviews, guides and features giving you fresh insights, innovative ideas and an inside look at the lives and careers of ICAEW students and members. No matter what stage you’re at in your journey with us, you’ll find content to suit you.
Insights index
  • Listing
This page provides an entry point to the articles that have formed the daily, monthly and weekly member emails, arranged by section and month. It also contains an index of themed Insights specials and the Quarterly magazine.
Climate hub
  • Hub page
Climate change is a crucial issue for the accounting profession. Are you professionally ready to mitigate the risk and maximise the opportunity of climate change? Find inspiration, information and practical resources to support the goals set out in the Paris Agreement and in the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Diversity and Inclusion
  • Hub page
ICAEW is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. In this hub we bring together timely D&I resources on the protected characteristics of the Equality Act, along with our latest insights into diversity in the profession.
EU and international trade
  • Hub page
A range of resources on the implications of the UK leaving the EU on 31 December 2020.
Regulatory News
  • Listing
A round-up of regulatory and conduct updates and communications from the ICAEW Professional Standards Department.
Sponsored content
  • Listing
Hear what our partners are saying on topical issues impacting the accountancy profession.