Insolvency and Restructuring CPD for Accountants — 2026 Guide
Insolvency and restructuring is a specialist area requiring dedicated CPD. This guide covers what insolvency CPD accountants need, the key regulatory requirements, and CPD options in 2026.
Insolvency and restructuring is one of accountancy's most regulated specialist areas. Insolvency Practitioners (IPs) are licensed by recognised professional bodies and must meet specific CPD requirements to maintain their licence to act. For accountants working in or moving into insolvency, understanding the CPD obligations is essential.
Insolvency Practitioner Licensing and CPD
Insolvency Practitioners in the UK must hold a licence from a Recognised Professional Body (RPB). The main RPBs licensing IPs are ICAEW, ACCA, IPA (Insolvency Practitioners Association), and CAI. Each RPB sets CPD requirements for its licensed IPs — typically including a minimum number of CPD hours per year with specific insolvency-related content requirements. The RPBs conduct regular monitoring visits to IP firms and assess CPD compliance alongside technical standards.
What Insolvency CPD Should Cover
Effective insolvency CPD covers: current insolvency legislation — Insolvency Act 1986, Enterprise Act 2003, Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 updates; insolvency procedures — administration, CVA, liquidation, receivership, individual voluntary arrangements, bankruptcy; office-holder duties and responsibilities; R3 (Association of Business Recovery Professionals) technical guidance; cross-border insolvency — UNCITRAL Model Law, post-Brexit EU implications; recent case law relevant to insolvency practitioners; restructuring tools — pre-pack administrations, restructuring plans, creditor arrangements; and ethics in insolvency — conflicts of interest, creditor treatment, remuneration transparency.
R3 and Insolvency CPD
R3 (Association of Business Recovery Professionals) is the UK's insolvency and restructuring trade body. R3 provides technical guidance, CPD resources, and specialist events for insolvency practitioners. R3 membership and participation in R3 events are commonly counted toward insolvency CPD for licensed IPs. R3 Technical Committee guidance on specific areas — fraudulent trading, preference payments, directors' duties — is essential reading for practising IPs.
Restructuring CPD Beyond Insolvency
Corporate restructuring does not always involve formal insolvency. Restructuring CPD for accountants also covers: turnaround management and operational restructuring; debt restructuring and lender negotiations; distressed M&A; financial modelling for distressed companies; and stakeholder management in workout situations. This wider restructuring CPD is relevant for accountants in advisory roles, banks' special situations teams, and corporate finance teams advising distressed companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CPD hours do insolvency practitioners need? Requirements vary by RPB. ICAEW licensed IPs must demonstrate adequate CPD annually. ACCA requires its general CPD requirement (40 units) with relevant insolvency content for licensed practitioners. Check your specific RPB's current requirements.
Does Learnsignal CPD count for insolvency practitioners? CPD completed through Learnsignal counts toward ACCA and ICAEW general CPD requirements. For RPB-specific insolvency CPD requirements, check your RPB's accepted content list.
Further Reading
Study with Learnsignal
Learnsignal provides verifiable CPD for ACCA, CIMA, and ICAEW members — complete your annual requirements online, flexibly.
This page was last updated:
Learnsignal Education Team
Expert Tutor at Learnsignal
Qualified professional with years of experience in teaching and helping students achieve their accounting qualifications.
View all posts by Learnsignal Education Team
