Diversity brings a range of advantages to businesses. Having a diverse workplace culture helps prevent group-think, which can result in business owners being surrounded by yes-men and women, ultimately, impacting the effectiveness of business decisions. High performing teams need different voices and to be challenged with different perspectives.

From the client front, diversity also matters in being able to form personal connections and relationships. And whilst technical expertise is a must, it is ultimately empathy that drives the culture of trust.

In AFR’s Top 100 Accounting Firm Survey this year, it has found that most leading firms are implementing initiatives that encourage diversity and inclusion.

Some 87 per cent of surveyed firms say they have specific policies or initiatives to support working parents and 62 per cent are working to support women.

For other groups, 29 per cent have specific policies or initiatives for older workers, 23 per cent for new migrants, 17 per cent for Indigenous Australians and 16 per cent for LGBTQI workers.

And whilst this is a great start, it is not enough. Diversity and inclusion should be the norm, not the exception.