Council

The ICAS Council oversees the effective management and direction of the ICAS' affairs.

Here you can learn more about:

• the role of ICAS Council
• the composition of ICAS Council
• the ICAS Council Code of Conduct
• ICAS Council meetings

The role of ICAS Council

Council is collectively responsible for the overall governance of ICAS and meets formally four times during the ICAS Presidential year – in May, September, December and March – with the following objectives:

• to ensure the objects of the Royal Charters are achieved in a manner consistent with regulatory-body status.
• to determine strategies and tactics necessary to achieve the objects and to monitor their efficiency.
• to ensure the effective management and direction of ICAS’ affairs.
• to establish the boards, committees and panels specified in the ICAS rules and such other bodies as Council
• considers necessary to enable it to discharge effectively its duties under Charter and statute.
• generally, to ensure that high standards of corporate governance are always observed.

The role of the Office Bearers

In addition to the responsibilities they hold in common with other members of Council, the Office Bearers also have the following duties:

• the outward projection of ICAS' policy and values at formal and informal events.
• forging working relationships at home and abroad.
• liaising with government, public authorities and the press.
• being the principal spokespersons for ICAS on the pre-eminence of the CA qualification and profession.
• promoting and maintaining communication and engagement with ICAS members to ensure that their views and values are promoted.

The President's primary responsibilities are:

• to lead Council in managing and directing the affairs of ICAS
• to lead the Office Bearer team
• to promote ICAS and the CA qualification and profession
• to communicate and engage with Members (both at home and abroad), ensuring their views and values are taken into account
• to represent ICAS both internally at member events, and externally to public bodies, industry leaders, regulatory bodies and other institutes, both at home and abroad;

In addition to leading Council, attending Council meetings, participating in ICAS webinars and attending or hosting ICAS events, the President also:

• chairs the Nominations Committee
• is a member of the Oversight Board
• is a member of the Remuneration Committee
• is a member of the Presidential Nominations Committee
• is a member of the following external bodies:
  • IFAC Council
  • CCAB

The Deputy President and Vice President support the President during their year of office and meet regularly with the President.  They also attend or host ICAS events, meetings or webinars and from time to time are required to represent the President.  In addition to being members of Council, the Deputy and Vice President are also:

• members of the Oversight Board
• members of the Remuneration Committee (which meets at least twice a year)
• members of the Presidential Nominations Committee (which meets at least three times a year)

The Deputy President is also a member of the Nominations Committe. The Vice President is not a member of the Nominations Committee but is a standing attendee at each meeting.

ICAS Secretary

The ICAS Secretary is the ICAS equivalent of a company secretary and has the following areas of responsibility:

• ensuring that ICAS governance operates effectively and in accordance with the ICAS Rules and Regulations.
• providing advice and guidance to the ICAS President, Council and the various boards and committees on their respective delegated responsibilities.
• administering the annual Council elections.
• arranging the annual general meeting and any special general meeting of ICAS members that may require to be convened.
• ensuring all Rule and Regulation changes are properly considered, approved and brought into force.

The ICAS Secretary reports to the CEO and to the President. The current ICAS Secretary is Helen Howden who can be contacted at hhowden@icas.com.

ICAS Council code of conduct

ICAS is committed to the maintenance of ethical standards and high standards of professional conduct from all its members.

The specific Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour that Council Members are expected to adhere to and includes the Register of Interests. The Code is sent to all Members of ICAS Council on an annual basis.

View code of conduct

ICAS Council meetings

Please link here to see summary notes of previous Council meetings.

View Council meeting summary notes