Three Guiding Principles in DEI Strategy By Haley MacDonell
Thank you to Deloitte for its generous contribution of $5,000 to the ASCPA’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Deloitte is committed to generating more advisory, auditing and tax career opportunities and leadership pathways for the next generation of certified public accountants (CPAs) through Making Accounting Diverse and Equitable (MADE). MADE represents a bold vision for the accounting profession, both in terms of increasing racial and ethnic diversity, and helping students of color see and realize their future in business through the prism and possibilities of accounting. Consumers and aligned social movements have demanded change in the organizations they support. In response, businesses across sectors responded and recalibrated to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Accounting, including the CPA profession, continues to have a disparity in diversity. A minority – defined as a distinct group that coexists, but is often subordinate to, a more dominant group – includes racial and ethnic groups, the LGBTQ+ community and people with differing abilities. According to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, these groups only represent 14% of CPAs.
“Accounting is a profession that not many minorities think is right for them,” Ken Udenze, a managing partner at Deloitte LLP, explained. “We have seen a seismic shift in corporate America: a shift where people are willing to talk about [DEI].” It may be that negative stereotypes dissuade people entering the workforce or changing careers from entering the profession. They may lack a personal connection to the idea of the job, a connection others may have through a friend or family member in accounting. Additionally, becoming a CPA has a fifth-year education requirement. After earning a degree in accounting, pursuing the designation requires additional resources, including funding, that may not be available. Continued on next page...
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 AZ CPA
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