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.

Inside the Post Office Inquiry and new mid-tier research

After seven years of waiting, audit reform faces yet another delay. Matthew Ord reports that business minister Justin Madders has confirmed the draft Audit Reform and Governance Bill won’t move forward for pre-legislative scrutiny. He shares reactions from Julia Penny, Bruce Cartwright and Iain Wright, as the team wonders when reform will finally happen.

Tom Herbert then rewinds 30 years to look back on how we have used accounting software. What started as a menu-based, point-and-click system is shifting toward AI-driven free text boxes, but is this really the future? Herbert questions how effective this will be and whether firms are ready to embrace it.

Looking ahead, Richard Hattersley turns to growing Budget speculation. With the National Institute for Economic and Social Research warning of a £41.2bn gap, he discusses the potential fallout for businesses, the likelihood of broken manifesto promises and what moves the government might make.


No Accounting for Taste ep194: Further delays to audit reform

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.

Bonus episode: how to tackle late payments

Whether it’s performance or policy, there’s rarely an episode of The Tax Track that doesn’t mention HMRC. In this special episode we talk to one of the senior leaders at HMRC, Jonathan Athow, Director General for Customer Strategy and Tax Design.

The government’s stated priorities for HMRC are to modernise and reform the tax system, improve customer service and close the tax gap; Athow explains how HMRC intends to deliver on those priorities, and crucially, what this means for ICAEW members.

The inside track from HMRC

HMRC has published guidance setting out what it expects of taxpayers who are considering applying novel or improbable interpretations of the law, or are uncertain how the law applies when submitting a tax return or similar document.

This audio file was produced by AI and is based on the Insights article: https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2025/sep-2025/taxpayers-encouraged-to-ensure-returns-are-correct-and-complete

Taxpayers encouraged to ensure returns are correct and complete

In this episode of the ICAEW Student Insights podcast, host Jag Dhaliwal learns the importance of Specialised Learning as part of the updated ACA qualification.

Specialised Learning explained

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.

Kemi Badenoch on growth and the profession

Richard Hattersley recalls his chats with Dan Heelan, director at Heelan Associates, and Ria-Jaine Lincoln, the founder of the Beauty Accountant, who have both found themselves having to correct AI-generated misinformation brought in by clients. The AccountingWEB team of two discuss the risks of relying on AI for advice and how accountants can get ahead of this issue when trust is on the line.

Tom Herbert looks ahead to 31 January 2026 as the first self assessment season where most taxpayers will use AI. With a survey from Taxfix showing 59% expect to turn to AI before the deadline, they explore why people are using it, how firms are applying it and why accountants remain irreplaceable. 


No Accounting for Taste ep197: Are clients putting too much trust in AI?

In this episode of the ICAEW Student Insights podcast, host Orkhan Freeman discusses the different career opportunities available in practice.

Building a career in practice

The team had a wonderful evening at the Accounting Excellence Awards (AEA) and we hope everyone who joined did too! They share their highlights, with Richard Hattersley reflecting on how the winners shed light on trends shaping the profession. Focusing on the small, mid-tier and large firm winners, Hattersley talks about private equity, management buyouts and growth. Many of these winners will also be speaking at the Finance, Accounting and Bookkeeping Show at the NEC, Birmingham, on 11-12 March 2026.
Tom Herbert spent the day after the awards at Wolters Kluwer’s CCH Connections User Conference. Herbert shares his experience with Wolters Kluwer’s integrated Making Tax Digital (MTD) solution ahead of the mandation date, what the next six months are going to look like for firms and the mood among attendees as MTD nears.
Matthew Ord concludes the podcast by recalling his chat with ICAEW president, Derek Blair. Appointed in June 2025, Blair outlines the legacy he wants to leave, what his goals are and his focus on a social mobility programme to tap into new talent.


No Accounting for Taste ep198: AEA winners shed light on the profession

AI raakt elke sector, maar hoe pak je dat als ondernemer écht slim aan? In deze podcast spreekt Sector Banker Samantha Reilly met Jeroen Mathijssen, directeur innovatie bij Van Oers, over de praktijk van digitalisering en AI in de accountancy. Hoe zet je AI in om schaarse expertise maximaal te benutten? Welke processen kun je automatiseren, en waar blijft de menselijke meerwaarde cruciaal? En hoe AI leidt tot een nieuwe propositie voor het accountantskantoor: Van Oers Digital Solutions, waarmee ze ook klanten helpen bij de implementatie van AI. Waarbij sector- en domeinkennis het verschil maakt.

We spreken over diverse dilemma’s zoals de “ make or buy decision” , zorgvuldigheid versus snelheid, waar werk je met wie wel en niet samen.


Podcast: AI en de toekomst van accountancy – in gesprek met Van Oers Accountants

HMRC’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) programme director Craig Ogilvie joins the team to share the latest updates on MTD testing and why joining early is the best way to prepare. The team also discusses the exemptions process and who qualifies, with Ogilvie warning listeners not to leave applications until the last minute.
He outlines its benefits, talking about how MTD goes beyond compliance to build a modern, data-driven tax system. With better record keeping and improved accuracy, MTD aims to create a fairer, more efficient and resilient tax environment.
The conversation then turns to multi-agent functionality, software support and HMRC’s efforts to help both agents and unrepresented taxpayers through helplines, targeted communications and regional engagement.
Ogilvie closes with some practical advice: get your Agent Service Account (ASA) ready, sign up clients early and make sure your software and records are in shape because April 2026 will come around fast.


No Accounting for Taste ep199: MTD special with Craig Ogilvie

The AccountingWEB team celebrates the 200th podcast episode by looking back in time at some notable moments and reflecting on the first episode.
Matthew Ord takes a look at the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) new role as anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) supervisor for all accountancy and legal firms. He recalls his chat with AML expert David Winch, who warned it won’t be a light-touch regime. Ord explores why the move has frustrated supervisory bodies and whether the FCA really understands the profession.
Tom Herbert turns to Making Tax Digital (MTD) and the part that banks are starting to play. With 840,000 taxpayers not yet using commercial software, Herbert talks about which banks have made their MTD move, his concerns about this approach and how he sees it all playing out. 
Back from the US, Richard Hattersley shares his experience at NetSuite’s SuiteWorld where AI was the topic of conversation. The team unpacks the launch of NetSuite Next and the push toward the “autonomous close”, asking whether finance teams are ready for AI. 

No Accounting for Taste ep200: FCA will become the AML supervisor

Nick Williams, global product director at Intuit opens the podcast by announcing the global availability of AI agents on the Intuit platform. He explains how it works, why they’re launching now, and risks and reactions. 
The team discusses new Intuit QuickBooks research showing small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) can achieve up to 58% more revenue growth by closing the gap between ambition and execution. Williams explores the role of AI, automation, the importance of readiness and unlocking potential.  
Tom Herbert talks about the return of tech founders, covering six founders who built and sold successful accounting tech products and are now back with new software. Herbert details their return and the growing tech gap for small businesses.
With the Budget weeks away, Richard Hattersley chats about rumours, likely changes, Rachel Reeves’s briefing and the team share their thoughts on which tax updates might actually happen.
Matthew Ord wraps up discussing ICAEW AML compliance. A new report shows that rates have remained consistent but non-compliance is rising. He reviews the findings and whether the FCA will be ready to act on them.

No Accounting for Taste ep201: Intuit’s Nick Williams on AI and growth

Even at a relatively nascent stage, agentic AI is showing that it has the capability to revolutionise how finance professionals manage a range of important tasks.

AI agents: four use cases for accountants

The Chancellor delivered a raft of small tax changes, rather than any big tax increases. But despite no increases in business taxes, the Budget offered few reasons to be cheerful.

Budget 2025: businesses dodge tax bullet, but costs will still bite

The team recorded the podcast straight after the Budget to share their instant reactions. They covered the Office for Budget Responsibility’s early report release and the pre-Budget leaks. Richard Hattersley shared his view on the announcements and what surprised him. Tom Herbert sank his teeth into some tech news, with e-invoicing and Making Tax Digital making the cut.
Paul Baker, tax partner at Buzzacott and speaker at the Finance, Accounting & Bookkeeping Show (FAB), joined to share his take. He discussed the day and what measures stood out. He mentioned the impact of extending the income tax and employer national insurance thresholds, whether this was the way forward and the issue of applying NICs to salary-sacrificed pension contributions of about £2k a year. He concluded the podcast by sharing concerns that he had and the next steps for a tax expert like himself.

No Accounting for Taste ep202: Budget 2025 special

The Chancellor included two measures designed to encourage more UK listings and investment in UK public markets.

Budget: are capital markets-boosting measures effective?

Als ondernemer is het een uitdaging om up-to-date te blijven. ING helpt jou daarbij! In deze podcast komen de belangrijkste trends en ontwikkelingen, kansrijke gebieden en koplopers aan bod.

ICAEW is a professional membership organisation that provides insight and leadership to the global accountancy and finance profession.

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