What is the Status of Diversity and Inclusion in the Accoutning Profession Today - 2019 Spring Spectrum Magazine

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION Spectrum Asks: Left to right: Kimberly N. Ellison-Taylor, Kenneth Bouyer, Elena Richards, Kimberly S. Reed In your opinion, what is the status of Diversity and Inclusion “When it comes to diversifying the workforce, accounting in the accounting profession firms must be aggressive. This effort starts at the top. today and what needs to be Our U.S. chairman, Tim Ryan, is a founding member of done going forward? CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion. That group was launched in 2017 and has grown to 600+ CEOs – including “I am very encouraged by the increased discussion CEOs from competitors like Deloitte and EY. The focus regarding diversity and inclusion. While progress has is not on metrics, but creating a forum that will help been made, there is absolutely more work to be done.  many companies benefit from sharing their experiences One of my favorite initiatives is to speak with diverse Next – successes and failures – and creating a safe work Generation Leaders about what is possible and the many environment for dialogue, addressing and mitigating options available to them. Implemented on a larger scale unconscious bias, and sharing best practices. in elementary schools, this will help create increased “PwC’s efforts have made a difference. The most recent early preference and awareness of the accounting assessment shows that 33 percent of the U.S. leadership profession.  There are certainly many initiatives needed team are minorities and 33 percent are women. Of the to retain and advance diverse professionals, but getting new partners and principals in its 2018 class, 45 percent a healthy pipeline in the profession will only benefit the are women and minorities. The percentage of minority and other related but critical initiatives.” female new hires who are not partners or interns has also Kimberly N. Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA increased.”  Elena Richards Executive Director, Finance Thought Leadership - Oracle Corporation Past Chairman of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants U.S. Minority Initiatives and Talent Management Leader Past Chairman of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants Office of Diversity, PwC “While today’s social climate has been associated with “Organizations need to ask themselves the tough controversy and disagreements, it is also banding people questions: What is my organization committed to in D&I? together in a more positive way – surprisingly at work. Are we deliberate in identifying and attracting top diverse Regardless of background, gender, sexual orientation talent? or race, individuals are coming together in search of a “Most accounting firms provide the same services, sense of community and belonging, with many expecting but from people and culture perspectives, they are and finding it within the workplace. Given the increasing different. The rich and challenging diversity of opinion diversity of our teams, we cannot take a sense of belonging within organizations mirrors the diversity in the society. for granted. That is why we, as leaders, colleagues and “Organizations that allow its priorities and activities to be team members, need to be purposeful and deliberate shaped and informed by the full spectrum of individual in cultivating a sense of belonging for all, to harness its differences are much more likely to establish and sustain benefits for us as individuals, for highest-performing teams meaningful relationships with people.” and for our organizations. In fact, research shows that Kimberly S. Reed when people feel like they belong at work, they are more productive, motivated and engaged and are 3.5 times CEO, Reed Development Group more likely to contribute to their full, innovative potential.” Diversity and Inclusion Strategist and Expert Kenneth Bouyer International Speaker and Corporate Trainer Americas Inclusiveness Recruiting Leader, EY SSPPRRIINNGG22001199 | SPECTRUM 43