Your feedback from the April 2023 member survey
Your feedback in the April 2023 member survey
Learn more about our most recent survey of member views and how we’re acting on the feedback you gave us.
We issue surveys to listen to your opinions twice a year and all members receive one of these surveys. The first for 2023 took place in April.
We use the insights we gather to stay informed on the issues which matter most to you and to help shape our thinking. Your feedback is also used to help us structure our strategic planning and to set robust targets to make sure we’re delivering for you.
Thank you to everyone who responded in the survey. Your opinions really do matter to us as they help shape ICAS and enable us to improve our services and enhance your membership.
Your feedback and how we’re responding
You told us you’re unsure what ICAS is doing in relation to mental health and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) issues.
ICAS has made a long-term commitment to mental wellbeing and we continue to open up conversation, provide support and break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
In May, we launched our new member wellbeing helpline for all Evolve practice firms and their employees. It’s a confidential helpline that gives Evolve members, including CAs and non-CAs in the firm, access to experienced advisers who offer support 24/7.
The service allows you to connect with an expert counsellor for a block of one-to-one sessions, free of charge. There’s also an online wellbeing portal and app where you can access advice and wellbeing support.
The helpline was launched during 2023’s Mental Health Awareness Week which focused on anxiety. We took the opportunity to explore how anxiety impacts individuals and businesses and highlighted the ways people who are affected can seek help and advice.
Our May podcast delved deeper into the anxiety topic. The episode featured CAs from diverse backgrounds who discussed the links between anxiety and neurodivergence and how businesses can support anxiety in the workplace.
We’re also committed to acting as a force for positive change on EDI issues, and to increasing the accessibility and diversity of the profession by upholding the values of inclusive leadership.
In April we published our new strategy, ‘ICAS 2030: Together, we will…’ and outlined our increased commitment to placing equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do.
We aim to drive social change in the profession by supporting talent from less-advantaged backgrounds and growing the reach of the ICAS Foundation. And we have pledged to attract a diverse and inclusive pool of talent to study our qualifications.
This month we launched our Black Members Network, a group which will help deliver change by actioning the ambitions of ICAS’ Black Talent Action Plan.
You can find out more on the Mental Fitness and EDI areas of our website.
You said you think ICAS should be addressing sustainability issues but aren’t aware of our initiatives.
We are determined to put sustainability at the heart of everything that we do – from the education we provide students, to championing action on the climate crisis, and by offering cutting-edge sustainability-related continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities.
Last year, we published our sustainability strategy in which we made a commitment to achieving net zero by 2045. We issued new sustainability guidance for our Code of Ethics, and our Sustainability Assurance Working Group published two reports on sustainability assurance. And, as a member of the Global Accounting Alliance, we signed ‘Nature is Everyone’s Business’, a call to action to signal the important role the profession plays in the climate crisis.
At our sustainability reporting summit in April, we assembled panels of national and international experts to shine light on issues of great complexity and mounting urgency. The event explored how businesses can be held to account for the impact they have on the environment and how this can be made meaningful and achievable.
Also in April, through the publication of our new strategy, we have strengthened our strategic commitment to lead on key sustainability issues within the profession.
We’re doing this by embedding sustainability across our syllabus, and for members we’re introducing enhanced sustainability CPD.
We’re also using our voice as a leader in sustainability policy and practice to influence government, standard setters, regulators, businesses and members.
Find out more on the sustainability area of our website.
You let us know that technical resources are still one of the most important aspects of your membership.
Our Policy and Practice teams regularly produce a range of technical content, insight and thought leadership, whether it’s content on tax, audit, ethics, insolvency, sustainability or corporate reporting you’re looking for.
You can find some of the technical resources and support available to you on our Professional Resources area, where we publish timely insights and responses to the latest industry events. You can also look out for these when they are highlighted on our website, in CA magazine and in our weekly newsletters.
Our Evolve offering provides tailor-made services and products, including technical resources, knowledge and publications, helping firms keep up to date with regulation and practice management.
For individuals, Evolve offers you opportunities to grow through personal development and technical updates. As the name suggests, the offering is ever-evolving.
You told us that it’s important to be able to find the information you need on icas.com.
In early 2024 we will launch a new version of icas.com with enhanced functionality and improved user experience, connecting you with the information you need faster.
Whether you’re visiting our website for career-long learning, to find the latest technical updates, for guidance on making your next career step, or to connect with fellow CAs, we want you to be able to find what you need in an instant.
You said your experience when you have a question for us is important to you.
In spring 2022 we introduced a new help centre on icas.com to provide a better self-service experience and help you find the details you’re looking for more easily.
We based the help centre on the most frequently asked questions that are put to our team. The new service allows you to get the answer to your enquiry instantly, without the need to call or email us.
Our customer champions are still on hand to help you with your more complex and individual questions. But, with an ever-growing bank of answers, the help centre will support you with those quick queries and allow you to move on with your day.
Key findings
Thank you for your feedback
We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time to let us know your thoughts and opinions.
We value your feedback and engagement as we continue to improve the services we provide you and your satisfaction with them.
