ICAEW applies for probate work

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has revealed that it has applied for its members to do probate work.

Ahead of an upcoming law change, the ICAEW submitted applications to the Ministry of Justice to do the work involving wills and deceased estates - which was previously completed only by solicitors, Accountancy magazine reports.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) had also expressed interest in being granted the power to do probate work in England and Wales.

A spokesperson from the ICAEW told the publication that the new work would be a "good opportunity for our members", though added that there was not a particular timeframe for approval to begin.

Meanwhile, an ICAS spokesperson raised the possibility that it could collaborate with the ICAEW to do probate work in Scotland as well.

The ICAEW is the largest professional accountancy body in Europe.