AccountingWEB.co.uk

2 weeks ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Matthew Ord

As private equity’s presence in the accounting profession continues to grow, so too do the concerns of those who aren’t sure about the implications – be it good or bad. On the back of that rising influence, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) is calling for a multi-stakeholder review of the framework governing who can own audit firms.

3 weeks ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Richard Hattersley

“It can’t just be a survey and that's the end of it.” Jennifer Williamson, the head of client care at Kreston Reeves, takes a multifaceted approach when it comes to client care. She definitely still sees value in client surveys but says: “It’s only one piece in the puzzle.”These days, client surveys alone won’t cut it. Most firms are conducting them in some form, but their effectiveness depends on how the results are used.

3 weeks ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Mark Taylor

Proposals set out by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) consolidate audit oversight, procurement, training and quality control into a new Local Audit Office (LAO) by autumn 2026. If approved, it would mark the most significant restructuring of local council audits in a generation, following years of murkiness and uncertainty around spending and financial health.

3 weeks ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Molly Macfarlane

With the cut to Level 7 apprenticeship funding now confirmed, Richard Hattersley explains what it means for firms and training across the profession. He shares reactions from professional bodies and considers the long-term impact of the decision. Tom Herbert looks at the shift in focus from vendors and investors, from small business cloud accounting to the mid-market. He breaks down what “mid-market” means, why interest is growing and how the competition is shaping up.

3 weeks ago | accountingweb.co.uk | Mark Taylor

HMRC has lost £47m to a “sophisticated” fraud after cybercriminals used stolen personal data to access or create tens of thousands of online tax accounts. Senior officials told the Treasury Select Committee that the scam, which began last year, affected approximately 100,000 individuals - roughly 0.2% of the UK PAYE population. The criminals used data harvested through phishing scams to either set up new HMRC accounts or hijack existing ones, with the goal of fraudulently claiming tax repayments.