What is ICAEW Accreditation, and Why Does it Matter?

When you are dealing with probate and Inheritance Tax after a bereavement, the last thing you need is to worry about whether the platform you are using is trustworthy and accurate. That is where ICAEW accreditation matters.

Who are the ICAEW?

The ICAEW is the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. It is one of the most respected professional bodies in the UK, responsible for regulating Chartered Accountants and upholding standards in accountancy, finance, and taxation. The ICAEW does not grant its endorsement lightly.

What is the ICAEW Technology Accreditation?

The ICAEW’s Technology Accreditation programme independently assesses software products designed to help users with financial, accounting, or compliance tasks. Products accepted into the scheme are tested rigorously by independent assessors at RSM.

To receive accreditation, a product must demonstrate:

• Technical accuracy: the calculations and outputs must be correct
• Compliance: the forms and processes must align with current HMRC and Probate Registry requirements
• Usability: the product must be accessible to members of the public, not just trained professionals
• Support: users must have access to appropriate help when they need it

Why does this matter for probate software?

Probate and Inheritance Tax involve detailed calculations with real financial consequences. An error in the IHT400, a missed exemption, or an incorrect estate valuation can result in delays, HMRC queries, or an unexpected tax bill. ICAEW accreditation gives you an independent guarantee that the platform has been assessed by qualified professionals and found to meet the required standard.

Is YouCanDoProbate ICAEW accredited?

Yes. YouCanDoProbate holds ICAEW Technology Accreditation and was the first browser-based probate application platform to receive it. Our IHT400, supplementary schedules, exemption calculations, and probate application forms have all been independently assessed and confirmed to be accurate and compliant.