According to a recent AICPA study, only 7% of students pursuing degrees in accounting & finance are black. Organizations often point to this statistic as to why they don't have more black talent - a lack of availability.
But the study goes further to an equally disturbing statistic - once in the profession #BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) #accounting & #finance professionals advance much slower than white peers.
So, where do we go from here?
We have to better educate our employees and #hiring managers specifically on unconscious bias. Leadership must set the tone.
We have to put more energy into relationships at the university level to build increased connectivity between company representatives and professors, administrators, and students.
Not only is it about relationships though, we have to bring #internships and rotational development programs to the #HBCU - not to check a box, but to access incredible talent.
And then, as the pipeline grows, we have to ensure we are truly providing adequate and equal opportunity to black people who enter the profession.
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