Increasing diversity within the profession remains a priority at the AICPA. The Institute’s 2001 supply-and-demand study revealed that of the CPAs working in public accounting firms, only 7% were minorities. At the same time, according to the latest U.S. census, minorities made up 31% of the population, showing there’s considerable room for improvement in the profession’s demographics.
The call for diversity is as much a social issue as a business one. As demographics shift and businesses become more global, those companies with employees who can work with people of different backgrounds and cultures increase their chances for success. The Institute has refined the structure of its diversity programs to focus on individuals from high school through the seasoned stages of their professional careers. The Institute seizes on opportunities to create new alliances, partnerships and programs to promote and support talented minorities focused on business. It has evaluated the effectiveness of these long-running programs and made a number of changes to help ensure that only the best remain. The key programs are as follows:
High school level
Advertising through print media and radio.
College residency programs. (These expose juniors and
seniors to accounting and other business disciplines as well as to the
excitement of the college campus through a weeklong program with a
tailored curriculum.)
Limited scholarships for college-bound seniors.
CPAs in the classrooms who talk to students about the
excitement and benefits of the profession.
College and university initiatives
The scholarship for minority accounting students program
provides financial aid to talented minorities who show potential to
become CPAs. A study revealed that between 24% and 31% of scholarship
recipients (prior to recent eligibility changes) had either become
certified or passed the Uniform CPA Examination.
An accounting scholars workshop strengthens leadership,
team- building, presentation and communication skills of participating
students who are graduate-level or are undergraduates entering their
senior year.
The minority initiatives committee partners with colleges
and universities that graduate large numbers of minority students in
business. These outreach efforts include campus visits to interact
with students and faculty and to provide information about the
Institute, the CPA exam and the profession.
The AICPA fellowship program for minority doctoral
students enables more minorities to enter and move ahead in the
accounting profession and academia; these are augmented by several
programs to increase the number and the skill sets of minority
faculty. A professor can have a tremendous impact on a young person’s
ultimate career decision; studies show that students view their
professors as both role models and mentors.
The Institute currently has 22 PhD candidates receiving fellowships to continue their doctoral studies, the largest number since the program’s inception. Over the past 20 years the program has delivered 35 PhDs into the profession who are currently teaching at universities across the nation.
The Institute’s emerging partnership with the faculty
diversity and initiative section of the American Accounting
Association will bring more minority professors into a larger arena
and increase opportunities for professional development, critical
research and networking to help ensure their teaching skills are
excellent.
State CPA societies, minority accounting organizations
The AICPA continues its efforts to attract seasoned
professionals to committee service at both the Institute and state
societies to increase the level of diversity at various policy-making
levels throughout the profession.
New and joint programs with historical partners have
increased. The Institute is seeking to develop successful mentor
programs that will have an impact on students as well as young and
seasoned professionals.
In the media
In 2002 two ads featuring CPAs with exciting careers
(below) were created and placed in magazines read by students and the
people who influence them. Additionally, several radio ads were placed
in selected markets across the country. These ad campaigns draw
attention to the interesting and exciting careers available to people
with accounting backgrounds.
—Daniel Hobson, CPA
manager, minority initiatives, AICPA
Be a Star…Be a CPA
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