Accountancy

Hywel Ball, the former UK head of EY, has warned that the Big Four professional services firms face significant challenges in adopting artificial intelligence due to their sheer size. Announcing his new board roles at two AI-focused boutiques, Mr Ball argued that smaller, more nimble start-ups have

Twelve of Scotland’s most promising accountancy students have been named recipients of the 2025 Charles Scott Prize by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS). The prizes are awarded in recognition of outstanding academic achievement in accountancy at Scottish universities.

Wbg has appointed former Tesco Bank chief Benny Higgins as its new chairman to spearhead an ambitious national growth strategy. Currently chairman of Glasgow-based investment firm N4 Partners, whose seven-figure investment last year made it the majority shareholder of Wbg, Mr Higgins succeeds Lorna

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) has expressed its concern at the news the UK government is no longer planning to bring forward the already delayed and long promised audit reform and corporate governance bill in the current Parliamentary session, despite a draft bill ap

Inverurie has welcomed a new addition to its local business community as B W Accountancy Services officially opens its doors at 25A Market Street, right in the heart of the town. Founded by respected industry professionals Colin Webster and Fiona Barron, the firm brings with it over 50 years of comb

Azets has appointed John Kean as a new private client tax partner based in the firm’s fast-growing Edinburgh office. Mr Kean has 15 years’ experience advising private clients, partnerships, trusts, estates and entrepreneurs on their personal and wealth management tax strategies. His exte

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has announced a redesign of its gold standard ACCA Qualification focused on a redefinition of accountancy which is expanding and reshaping the role of the profession. The redesign reflects the increasing role of accountants in driving the wid

(Credit: Thapana Studio - adobe.stock.com) The Big Four accountancy firms – Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC – have significantly reduced job opportunities for new graduates and school leavers, while simultaneously cutting existing roles, as the integration of integration of artificial i

Businesses with operating leases for offices, warehouses, retail spaces, vehicles and other high-value equipment will soon need to prepare for significant changes that will impact how they are accounted for in their financial statements, according to Armstrong Watson. The majority of businesses will

The external audit team of Wbg is set to welcome 10 graduates to its burgeoning team this summer in response to significant growth – double the annual intake of five graduates it has recruited over the last three years. From a team of 28 in 2022, Wbg’s external audit department will numb

Azets has revealed it is actively seeking acquisitions to bolster its presence in key UK regions, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, and the east of England. Its Glasgow-based chief executive, Peter Gallanagh, told The Herald the firm also plans to strengthen its position in parts of Scotland

Scottish accountancy firm Wbg has been reappointed to the Department for Education’s (DfE) Funding Assurance framework for a further three years following a successful re-tender process. The firm remains the sole independent Scottish accountancy practice to be awarded slots on the framework &n

Major accountancy firms are vying to establish a new generation of audits designed to verify the effectiveness and safety of artificial intelligence systems. Deloitte, EY, and PwC have confirmed they are developing AI assurance services, aiming to leverage their established reputations in financial

Responding to a growth of private equity investment, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) is calling for a multi-stakeholder review of the framework governing who can own audit firms. The call follows the publication of a new paper by ICAS’ Private Equity working group, ex

Fraud is prevalent across UK regions, with the value of fraud reported outside of London and South East totalling £117 million in 2024, according to BDO’s latest FraudTrack survey. Key hotspots outside London and South East include the North West and Midlands. Total reported fraud in the