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

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• Behind the numbers: Appraising Starmer’s Labour

  In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss the hits and misses of the Labour government’s first year in power. While there have been some clear wins over the past 12 months, particularly on the international stage, domestic politics have felt far less controlled. Our panel evaluates the previous year, as well as suggesting where the government goes from here as it enters its second year. Host Philippa Lamb is joined by Iain Wright, ICAEW’s Chief Policy and Communications Officer; Frances Haque, Santander UK’s Chief Economist; and David Williamson, Chief Political Commentator at the Daily Express. Links ICAEW: Economy hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/economyICAEW 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 Lamb GuestsIain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, ICAEWFrances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UKDavid Williamson, Chief Political Commentator, Daily Express ProducerNatalie Chisholm Episode first published: 14 July 2025Podcast recorded: 7 July 2025

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• Accountancy Insights: Inside the Industrial Strategy and navigating VAT reform

  In this episode, we discuss the government’s new Industrial Strategy and, in particular, its sector plan for professional and business services with Iain Wright, ICAEW Chief Policy and Communications Officer. Iain is Chair of the Professional and Business Services Council, which has worked closely with government in devising the final plans. We also met speakers at ICAEW’s How to Fix VAT conference on 18 June 2025 to learn about the complexity of the UK’s VAT system and the obstacles to reforming the tax. Those interested in sharing their views on the Industrial Strategy can contact Iain Wright by emailing [email protected]. Time codes00:42 Inside the Industrial Strategy22:46 Navigating VAT reform LinksICAEW: Industrial strategy – four changes to boost professional services: https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/jun-2025/industrial-strategy-four-changes-to-boost-professional-services ICAEW: Industrial and Infrastructure Strategies – key measures at a glance: https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/jun-2025/industrial-and-infrastructure-strategies-at-a-glance ICAEW: Government reveals ambitions for key sectors: https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/jun-2025/government-reveals-ambitions-for-key-sectors ICAEW: UK government backs services in Trade Strategy: https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/jun-2025/uk-government-backs-services-in-trade-strategy ICAEW: VAT hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/vat  HostPhilippa Lamb GuestsIain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, ICAEWMax Schofield, Barrister, Devereux ChambersRebecca Porter, CEO, The VAT TeamJohn Whiting CBE, Former Tax Director, Office of Tax SimplificationYige Zu, Associate Professor, Durham UniversityDennis Lui, CEO, Tax Academy of SingaporeEd Saltmarsh, Technical Manager, VAT and Customs, ICAEWProducerNatalie Chisholm  Episode first published: 8 July 2025Podcast recorded: 1 July 2025

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