CA magazine: March 2022

By Sarah Speirs, ICAS Executive Director of Member Engagement and Communication

23 February 2022

In this issue, we hear from Tara Cemlyn-Jones, co-founder of 25x25, on her mission to deliver more female CEOs at FTSE firms, while Google EMEA’s EDI lead Rukasana Bhaijee explains how our differences should unite rather than divide our workplaces.
ICAS President, Bruce Pritchard CA, welcomes this year’s intake of CAs ahead of the admissions ceremony, and ICAS CEO Bruce Cartwright CA shares the lessons he drew from his personal journey with EDI.
Shevaun Haviland, the British Chambers of Commerce head, says CAs are crucial in our uncertain times, and we hear from Gemma Flight CA on bringing filmmakers Lionsgate UK through the pandemic.
As pay gap reporting becomes more common, we examine how CAs’ skills will be more vital than ever, and Christian Meyer zu Natrup CA says finance must be part of the solution, not the problem.
We hear from six CAs over 60 whose rich careers prove the qualification’s lasting power, and why Sara Bishop CA’s early love of golf has been pivotal to her career.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of all that ICAS does. In this month's issue, we explore how CAs can truly embrace the principles of EDI, how the profession has progressed in becoming more open and inclusive, and the lessons that must be learned in order to continuously improve.

Last year, entrepreneur Stephen Scott and Harvard Business School’s Amy Edmondson wrote: “Psychologically safe workplaces promote and harness the benefits of mutual trust among staff to create a meaningful sense of belonging, and this is essential to unlocking the benefits of diversity.”

For people to feel they truly belong in accountancy, they need to trust that the profession offers rewarding careers for all, regardless of background. To ensure its continuing health, we need to attract the brightest and best, especially at a time of labour shortages when employees have more choice than ever. To build that all-important trust, we must show that the profession is working to break down the stereotypes of old.

ICAS is proactive in meeting these goals. We implemented a three-year plan in 2021 to change how we work internally and use our public influence. We have relaunched our EDI Committee and continue to monitor the diversity of all our boards and committees. We surveyed all members to gather feedback. Our Championing Unique Perspectives campaign celebrates the breadth of stories in the profession. You can learn more about ICAS activities from CEO Bruce Cartwright CA within these pages and at the link below.

In particular, as International Women’s Day arrives on 8 March, we remain keenly aware of the progress that must be made for women in accountancy. Evidence shows that men and women in the profession begin their careers on an equal footing but that gaps in salary, promotion and retention grow over time. Indeed, ICAS research found 60% of female CAs feel they need to work harder than male counterparts to succeed. It’s an issue we discuss with Tara Cemlyn-Jones, whose organisation has committed to securing 25 female FTSE 100 CEOs by 2025 .

This month, CA magazine explores the nuances of EDI with such expert input, helping members navigate the space as a matter of strategic business importance. We hope you enjoy the issue.

Read March's CA magazine now