The easy-to-use tool will generate an anonymous survey link for firms to send to their staff. It contains the same questions that were asked during the mandatory diversity survey of ICAEW-accredited probate firms. They cover key protected characteristics and some additional questions that focus on neurodiversity. Please note that the questions are fixed and cannot be edited.
Once staff have completed the survey, firms can download an anonymised report of their own results to help them better understand the profile of their staff.
Benefits of conducting a staff diversity survey
- Demonstrate good governance and professionalism
Diversity data supports transparent, responsible management practices. Even where not required, choosing to collect this information shows a proactive approach to governance, culture and continuous improvement.
- Strengthen trust, inclusion and engagement
Inviting staff to share diversity information — on a voluntary and anonymous basis — signals that inclusion matters at your firm. It can also show your firm is working on its commitment to listening, fairness and creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
- Build an evidence-based understanding of your workforce
A diversity survey gives firms a reliable, anonymised snapshot of who makes up their organisation. It replaces assumptions with data, helping leaders understand the makeup of their workforce across key protected characteristics, including neurodiversity.
- Support better decision-making and people strategy
Knowing the profile of your staff helps inform recruitment, retention, progression and wellbeing initiatives. Firms can identify where there may be underrepresentation or barriers to progression and take more targeted, meaningful action.
- Benchmark and track progress over time
Conducting a survey allows firms to establish a baseline and monitor change. Over time, this helps firms assess whether initiatives are having the intended impact and where further focus may be needed.
Not a regulatory requirement
The survey tool is an option for non-probate firms to implement and not a regulatory requirement. ICAEW will not be reporting on the data nor will we be able to access individual responses or firms’ summary reports. We will only review a count of the number of ICAEW firms that have taken up the opportunity to use this free survey tool.
We are offering this simple, free tool to all our firms because we feel that understanding your people is a positive step in building a resilient, inclusive and forward-looking workplace. It’s also an opportunity for firms to reflect, learn and strengthen their professional culture, so we would like to encourage firms to consider taking advantage of its benefits and gain a clearer picture of their workforce.
The tool has been provided via our supply partner Riliance (an Access Group company).
How to set up your firm's diversity survey
When you visit the Riliance site, it’s a short and easy process. The basic steps to follow are below.
- Complete the surveys: as your staff complete their individual surveys, the system will keep you up to date with how many responses have been received (but you will not be able to view them individually).
- Register: register your firm’s account using the box on the Riliance website.
- Send your link: once registered, the system will generate a survey link that can be added to the email message you send to all members of staff.
- Download your report: once all members of staff have completed their surveys, the system will allow you to download an anonymised, aggregated report.