Topical commentary for practice owners on the changes shaping 2026: MTD, Companies House verification, valuations and the consolidation wave. Straight-talking, no jargon.
The new lease rules apply to periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026 — and for December and March year ends the transition date has already passed. The audit-exemption trap, the tax profile, and the 179 unbudgeted hours.
Read insight →ICAEW reviewed 2,068 firms in 2025 and published what it found. AML breaches in 63% of reviews, penalties to 44 firms — and the fastest route to a committee report is a finding you were told about last time.
Read insight →HMRC's consultation closed on 16 August 2026. A penalty that could bite even when a client pays in full and on time, seven days of working capital at risk — and a mandate you are not permitted to set up for them.
Read insight →Tribunal time limits double on 1 October, a harassment duty lands on 30 October, and on 1 January 2027 the unfair dismissal qualifying period falls from two years to six months — capturing staff already on your payroll.
Read insight →HM Treasury has confirmed the FCA will replace 23 professional body supervisors for around 60,000 firms — and the Money Laundering Regulations already changed on 30 June 2026.
Read insight →Software-only iXBRL filing, profit and loss accounts for every small and micro company, and the end of filleted accounts — confirmed for 1 April 2028. What your practice must do with the 21 months.
Read insight →Nobody knows where the rate settles — but the mechanics of a change are predictable. Scenario planning for your clients' cash and your own firm's profit, pricing and capacity.
Read insight →From May 2026, every UK tax adviser who deals with HMRC on a client's behalf must register or be shut out. The phased deadlines, the minimum standards, and what to do before your window closes.
Read insight →Around 91% of UK accountants are using or planning AI, yet most pilots fail. What AI really changes for practice owners in 2026 — capacity, advisory, headcount and the value of your firm.
Read insight →Making Tax Digital for Income Tax starts 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords over £50,000. The real impact is on your firm's workflow and capacity — here's how to prepare.
Read insight →Identity verification at Companies House is now law, with a deadline of 17 November 2026 for existing directors — and an ACSP regime for firms that file on clients' behalf. A checklist for practice owners.
Read insight →After years of private-equity-fuelled consolidation, 2026 data suggests UK accountancy practice valuations may have hit a ceiling. What that means if you're thinking about selling.
Read insight →Private-equity roll-ups drove a huge wave of accountancy deals — but integration strains are showing. Why a direct, operator-led sale can be the safer home for your clients and staff.
Read insight →MTD for Income Tax, Companies House verification and rising client demand are all landing on UK firms in 2026 — while good staff are scarce. How practice owners are creating capacity.
Read insight →Valuations may be peaking, compliance pressure is rising, and consolidators are cooling on aggressive multiples. How to read the 2026 market if you're weighing an exit.
Read insight →Looking for timeless how-tos instead? See our in-depth guides on valuation, selling, tax and succession. Prefer a reader? Subscribe via RSS.
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