Companies that implement LGBTQ-friendly policies are more profitable and have higher market valuations, according to a study based on publicly traded companies in the US from 2003 to 2016. One possible reason for the finding is that pro-diversity policies tend to be correlated with improved employee retention and satisfaction.
CFOs can encourage their company leadership to shake up recruitment strategies and can also empower managers of their teams to employ more diverse staff and provide an inclusive work environment. Executives should reach out to students to enlarge the pipeline and focus on ensuring equitable opportunities for all employees.
This podcast episode, released during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, offers information on what can be done to support employees all year long. Diversity, equity and inclusion consultant Lisa Ong, CPA, discusses action steps for line managers, the importance of listening and diversity gaps at the leadership level.
Black and Hispanic employees were more likely than white peers to report facing workplace discrimination over the past year, with such treatment having negative effects on employee engagement and well-being, according to a Gallup study. Paying attention to what employees have to say and putting responsive infrastructure in place can help employers combat this kind of discrimination.
Amplifying the voices of diverse groups of people and avoiding performative allyship are among the strategies workplace leaders can use to foster inclusion, according to a report. The report linked workplace inclusion and genuine allyship to improved employee retention and performance.
After a year of heightened focus on diversity, equity and inclusion issues, leaders of the accounting profession are continuing in their commitment to make strides in this area. This article reviews some of the steps organizations have taken and touches on the need to establish accountability, practice transparency and involve staff members in the effort.
The Gartner Inclusion Index attempts to provide an instrument through which organizations can measure inclusion by focusing on employees' thoughts across seven areas, including fair treatment, decision-making and psychological safety. Leaders can make strides by practicing vigilance and self-reflection and avoiding pitfalls such as taking too long to form action plans.
Employers can support transgender employees by mitigating the cost of gender-affirming care and ensuring that transgender employees are included in any decision-making processes that affect them. It is also crucial to build a welcoming work environment -- a process that involves using the right pronouns and focusing on sponsorship and allyship.
Only 23% of CPA firm partners in the US are women, according to the AICPA's 2019 CPA Firm Gender Survey, and the pandemic has created new challenges. Embracing flexibility and personalization and practicing open communication will be important steps as companies strive to limit the pandemic's impact on women's careers.
Gary Gensler, chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, indicated that the agency plans to propose a rule requiring disclosure of certain "human capital" metrics, potentially including data related to diversity, turnover and other topics.
Professors can shape a student's experiences, influencing whether students take a course or pursue a career. This article shares brief histories of the first Black CPA Ph.D.s and discusses efforts to promote the advancement of future generations of Black accountants.
The AICPA Women's Initiatives Executive Committee is exploring an opportunity to connect women across the country in groups with similar goals, challenges, etc. Please take this quick survey (3 minutes or less) to provide feedback on your interest in these woman-focused Connection Circles.
Upcoming webcast: Defining and Practicing Allyship
Join us on June 16 from 2-3 p.m. ET as we celebrate Pride Month with a webcast on how to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Learn terminology and common misconceptions, and have opportunities to talk through different scenarios. You'll gain insights and tangible ways to practice being an ally. Register 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.
