As a world-leading improvement regulator, we supervise and monitor over 12,000 ICAEW firms and insolvency practitioners (IPs), holding them, and all ICAEW members and students, to the high standards of competency and conduct in the profession. Find out what our firms thought of the monitoring review process from our latest survey.
Monitoring is carried out by the Quality Assurance Department (QAD), which is part of the Professional Standards Department (PSD). PSD is responsible for carrying out ICAEW's regulatory and conduct roles. These roles are separated from ICAEW’s other activities through internal governance so that we can monitor, support or take steps to ensure change if standards are not met.
After each monitoring review, firms and IPs are asked to complete an anonymous survey, providing feedback on the review process, the quality of interaction and the support provided. The infographic illustrates the results of the responses.
These survey responses are collated and analysed by an independent research agency and we receive a quarterly and annual overview report which we use to support the continuous improvement of our monitoring processes and procedures.
Monitoring reviews ensure and reassure firms/IPs they are meeting the expected requirements of the standards, regulations and the ICAEW Code of Ethics. In turn, we take action where the requirements are not met.
Latest Quality Assurance monitoring feedback
For Q1 2026, the feedback from firms about their experience during our monitoring reviews remains positive with:
- 96% satisfaction with the management of the entire visit process
- 97% satisfaction with the quality of interaction from the whole QAD team.
We are delighted that firms consistently report a positive experience of QAD monitoring reviews. It reflects the constructive relationships QAD works to build with firms while providing guidance, support and assistance throughout the review process.
Some quotes from firms that best sum up our firm feedback are below.
The reviewer was very professional throughout and extremely approachable and easy to talk to. They listened well and [were] very helpful, making the experience constructive and enjoyable. Thank you.
Reviewer was extremely pleasant to deal with, very courteous, knowledgeable and patient. Raised some very useful points and were very understanding. Whole thing was much simpler and easy to do than I feared it would be.
Monitoring visits are an important part of our commitment to fulfil ICAEW's statutory responsibilities and commitments to oversight regulators. Survey feedback from visits is important to us in our mission to continuously improve our processes and role as an improvement regulator.
Archive
View previous survey results.
