Assessing a firm's baseline diversity and inclusion metrics can help leaders establish goals and plan for improvement. This article offers an overview for reviewing D&I progress and discusses the AICPA Accounting Inclusion Maturity Model, which analyzes a firm's efforts across four key areas.
In 1921, John Cromwell Jr. became the first Black CPA in the US. Here is a look at Cromwell's journey and the obstacles he had to overcome to become a pioneer in the profession.
Unequal parental leave policies can cause problems professionally and personally for employees, who may feel that they have been sidelined at work or are unable to spend enough quality time with young children. Some accounting firms are addressing the issue -- and attracting talented employees -- with policies that make flexible leave available for all parents.
If team members come to you to discuss a mental health condition, it's imperative to navigate the conversation the right way. Start by thanking them and listening to all they have to say.
Women and men tend to receive different kinds of feedback about how they can grow and develop, and this disparity may create an obstacle to women's advancement into senior leadership. For example, women are more likely to be told they should focus on operational tasks, whereas men are more likely to be told to take a visionary approach that focuses on the big picture.
About 1 in 6 people born between 1997 and 2002 identify as LGBT, according to a Gallup poll. That is a higher proportion than for millennials and other age groups.
The demand for environmental, social and governance reporting is increasing as investors and other stakeholders look for more information about diversity and other topics. Companies can take several steps to address the demand, including identifying key performance metrics and implementing effective internal controls for data collection.
Research has linked inclusion to positive business outcomes, but some employers may still need to do more to build environments that are welcoming for people with disabilities. This article shares seven tips for making progress, ranging from running focus groups to offering appropriate training and using inclusive language in hiring.
Flexible work policies and benefits packages, clear expectations and open communication can support working parents without sacrificing efficiency. Supervisors who use a "person-first" approach can manage the workload while tailoring solutions to individual team members.
Bias is sometimes built in to hiring processes, even in companies with diversity and inclusion programs, research shows. Firms can counter recruiting bias by analyzing demographics of applicants and job offers and making improvement plans that avoid quick fixes that may be prone to introducing new problems.
Challenging the status quo and practicing empathy can help organizations foster inclusion, a key component of attracting and retaining top talent. Here is a look at how to support change with data, analytics, outside viewpoints and intentional action.
Women's History Month webcast -- Forging the Path: Women in the Accounting Profession
On March 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. ET, listen to leading women talk about their careers, how they got to their current position and the roadblocks they had to overcome on the way. Learn how to make your career work for you and get first-hand advice on advancing within the profession. Register here.
NEW! D&I competency model
Embracing diversity and practicing inclusion consists of critical skillsets needed for the success of your firm. Leverage our framework here to define effective job performance for your various employee roles in this area.
Apply now for the Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop
The AICPA Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop, aimed at strengthening students' professional skills and understanding of the limitless possibilities and benefits of credentialing, takes place Oct. 13-15 in New Orleans. The application period for the 2021 program is open through May 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Apply here.
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is the world’s largest member association representing the CPA profession, with more than 418,000 members in 143 countries, and a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education and consulting. The AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, federal, state and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination and offers credentials for a number of specialized areas. With The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), it offers the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation, which sets the global benchmark for quality and recognition in management accounting.
About the AICPA National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion
The AICPA National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion was formed to serve as champions within the accounting profession and to work toward proposing strategies to recruit, retain, and advance minorities in the profession. The National Commission on Diversity and Inclusion has set a new course to address best practices and develop tools to help members and firms succeed in their diversity and inclusion efforts.
