ICAS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) survey 2021: What you told us
Discover the results from the latest Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) survey and find out how ICAS is acting upon the insights from Members and Students.
In September 2021, ICAS undertook an EDI survey of its Members and Students. The survey was implemented to build upon the insights that were gathered through the November 2020 EPD (Ethnically Diverse People) survey.
ICAS uses the insights it gathers to help shape organisation-wide thinking and to inform our understanding of the issues which matter to our membership. ICAS also uses insights to structure our strategic thinking and to set robust measurement targets and KPIs.
Gathering insight from Members and Students is vitally important to ICAS and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide their feedback.
Key findings and recent initiatives
The key findings from our 2021 EDI survey are illustrated below, along with information on some of ICAS' recent EDI-related actions and initiatives.
You said, we did
You said that ICAS needs to be more representative.
We reinvigorated and reshaped the EDI Committee to ensure representation across all areas of EDI and to create the inclusive leaders of tomorrow. ICAS also published the EDI profile of all boards and committees, including ICAS Council.
You said, we did
You said that there needs to be more emphasis on inclusive language.
We published an inclusive language guide for ICAS Members and firms, and also produced inclusive guidance for the Chairs of our boards and committees to help them develop more diverse and representative teams.
You said, we did
You said that there needs to be a stronger focus on opportunities for female CAs.
As part of our commitment to ensuring gender equality in the profession, ICAS will be working with other UK-based professional bodies, both in the accountancy and finance sector and beyond, to produce independent research into the barriers affecting women in the professions and how we can work together to overcome them. ICAS will also be launching a new mentoring service in spring 2022. In addition, ICAS hosted an International Women’s Day webinar in 2021 to hear why it is important to keep pushing for gender equality during the pandemic.
Further recent EDI activity
- ICAS signed the Charter for Black Talent in Finance and the Professions and has created and published a Black Talent action plan.
- Launched the Championing Unique Perspectives campaign to demonstrate and celebrate diversity in the profession.
- Created a bespoke Diversity issue of CA magazine.
- Extended its Protect Helpline to include EDI. (Available to all Members and CA Students, Protect is an independent, confidential helpline which offers free advice about whistleblowing and speaking up.)
- Launched a Student Assistance Programme which provides all our CA Students with a suite of wellbeing and support services including a freephone 24/7 365-days-a-year helpline with access to BACP-accredited counsellors.
- Embedded EDI into its Code of Ethics.
- Created an EDI statement of intent.
A core theme for 2022 and beyond
EDI will continue to be a core ICAS theme in 2022 and beyond. Throughout this year, ICAS will be launching exclusive EDI content, webinars, thought leadership and professional-development opportunities for CAs. ICAS will also deliver the year-two actions from its three-year EDI strategy, which will build on our commitment to put EDI at the heart of all that we do.
Want to know more?
If you would like more information on ICAS’ EDI strategy, or the work that we are doing to support diversity in the profession, please contact Ian Bettison, EDI Manager at ibettison@icas.com.