ICAS Practice Review returns

After a three-year hiatus, we’re rolling out Practice Review to help and support ICAS firms. The review programme is aimed at upholding professional standards in general practice, and reassuring ICAS Practitioners that they meet the required professional standards and are applying appropriate quality management. The reviews are designed to be consultative and helpful.

The visit programme, which has been operating since 2000 (previously known as ‘Practice Monitoring’, and before that, ‘Quality Review’), was paused mid-2022. This was due to the increased focus and resources required for the new risk-based Anti-Money Laundering (AML) monitoring regime.

In early 2025, we decided to re-introduce the review programme. We carried out a number of pilot visits during 2025, with the aim of rolling out visits more widely from the start of 2026.

Having completed the pilot visits, it’s clear that firms value the programme, particularly the opportunity to speak directly with reviewers and ask questions.

We’re now rolling out visits from February 2026 onwards under the name ‘Practice Review’. Following feedback from the pilot, we’ve also provided additional guidance to help firms prepare for and get the most out of the visit.

The initial reviews will be led by two of our most experienced senior practice reviewers, who will also be training the wider monitoring team.

A key priority will be to visit smaller firms, particularly those that are new. The review will cover:

• All regulatory aspects of practice, including continuing professional development (CPD), professional indemnity insurance (PII), clients’ money, ethics, designated professional body (DPB), consumer credit etc.
• A technical review of incorporated/unincorporated accounts and charity accounts (including independent accountant reports).
• A review of a sample of typical engagements of the practice to consider the quality and risk management over those engagements.

If your firm is selected for a Practice Review visit, you may also be selected for either an AML monitoring visit or asked to take part in an AML thematic review at the same time.

We’ve been working alongside our Practice Support team, who are refreshing a range of helpsheets to support firms. As the review programme develops, we’ll be looking to provide more feedback to firms on common findings.

ICAS Practice Review provides more information on the Practice Review scheme and related key resources.