ICAEW chief: Britain can’t build a better economy one Budget at a time Opinion To achieve sustainable economic growth, the government must move beyond short-term Budget fixes and provide businesses with long-term certainty through tax stability and regulatory reform, says Alan Vallance “You can’t invest what you don’t have or when you are unsure what extra tax or regulatory burden is around the corner.” That was how one of [...]
Home secretary donor reprimanded by accountancy regulator Accountancy An accountancy firm director was severely reprimanded by the regulator and handed a £14,000 fine for breaching accountancy standards. Andeep Mangal, director of Birmingham-based accountancy firm Thapers Chartered Accountants, received a severe reprimand and a £14,000 fine on Wednesday for two separate allegations, and was ordered to pay a further £11,455 in costs to the [...]
Businesses urge Healey to reduce cost pressures in pre-Budget campaigns Economics The bosses of Britain’s largest industry groups have urged Chancellor John Healey to reduce the cost of business in order to boost growth across the UK economy, City AM has been informed. Several business chiefs sent letters to the Treasury on Wednesday night with demands for the government to relieve pressures on employers. Correspondence landing [...]
Interpath chief fined for breaching confidentiality rules before KPMG spin-off August 26, 2026 The chief executive of restructuring firm Interpath Advisory has been fined for allegedly breaching confidentiality standards before the company was sold to private equity by Big Four accounting giant KPMG, its former owner. The UK’s accounting body, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW), said Mark Raddan, a former KPMG board member, [...]
Business will be the judge on whether Andy Burnham can “regain stability” July 23, 2026 If Andy Burnham is serious about being a friend to business he should commit to no new business taxes, says Alan Vallance When every new government begins – and there have been a few in recent years – the goodwill they start with is already a diminishing return. Businesses understand that no Prime Minister can [...]
If Labour can’t cut taxes it could at least make them simpler May 12, 2026 Britain’s tax code is now among the most complicated in the world and businesses are left grappling with arbitrary distinctions that consume time and money. The King’s speech is a chance to reset the conversation, says Alan Vallance Ahead of the King’s Speech, the government faces a stark choice. It can continue layering new rules [...]
Accountancy firms lag behind legal firms in gender equality at top level March 3, 2026 The UK accountancy sector is lagging in diversifying its leadership, with only half of firms having at least one woman at the board or partnership level. According to data exclusively shared with City AM by Lubbock Fine, UK accountancy firms are lagging behind legal firms in the proportion of women at the senior level. The [...]
Labour’s employment legislation and national insurance blamed for rising joblessness February 17, 2026 National insurance hikes and the employment rights act mean businesses are being forced to cut back on hiring, business leaders and analysts have said. The labour market continued to loosen at the end of last year, according to new Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, with unemployment climbing to 5.2 per cent between October and [...]
AI-enhanced deception: The audit industry’s next big test January 19, 2026 The audit industry has been under the microscope over the past few years following a number of high-profile corporate collapses, prompting stricter measures to restore public trust. And with the rise of AI-driven fraud, auditors will be under more pressure than ever to adapt to an evolving risk environment. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the [...]
Accountancy body warns Finance Bill could criminalise honest mistakes December 19, 2025 A body has expressed serious concerns that measures in the upcoming Finance Bill could pose an “existential threat” to professional firms and cause significant harm to compliant taxpayers. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) pointed out several effects the Bill has on tax advisers, including introducing a criminal offence for promoting [...]