CA daily briefing: Friday 03 April 2020

Your essential briefing of the morning's top news stories.
Good morning, Hilde Oesterkloeft here to give you this week's last morning briefing.
The latest from ICAS
James Barbour reports on a bulletin from The Financial Reporting Council (FRC), issued for auditors on 26 March 2020, with guidance on matters matters to consider where engagements are affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has issued further guidance for companies during COVID-19. Acknowledging that we are in a period of extraordinary uncertainty, the FRC recognises that many entities are facing challenges and disruption to their normal management and governance processes. This latest guidance attempts to highlight some of the key areas of focus for boards in order that they maintain strong governance principles during their reporting processes.
Charlotte Barbour and Susan Cattell summarise the VAT deferral scheme, based on information available at 30 March 2020.
Philip McNeill discusses some of the outstanding queries and uncertainties that attach to the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme – and points to watch out for – as at 1 April 2020.
Charlotte Barbour and Susan Cattell look at guidance for agents on how to support their clients through the COVID-19 crisis.
Today's top stories from around the web
- Coronavirus: Emergency business loan scheme revamped after criticism (BBC News)
- Britain's Nationwide says business banking plan now unviable (Reuters)
- UK retail sales: Coronavirus triggers worst month on record (City AM)
- Coronavirus will be devastating for poorest nations - World Bank (Sky News)
- Government bails out bus firms to keep routes open (BBC News)
- AB Foods bosses take pay cut as coronavirus to dent profit (Reuters)
- Coronavirus: US jobless claims surge to more than six million - 10 times previous record (Sky News)
- Asian stocks slip on oil and coronavirus pessimism (City AM)
That's all for today. Check back next week for your Monday briefing.