As INCPAS members in both public accounting and corporate finance continue to cite recruitment and retention as a top challenge right now, building a more robust talent pipeline should be a profession-wide priority.
Because the goal of DEI efforts is to engage everyone, investing in the pipeline early, holistically and differently offers both short- and long-term ROI—not only for your current and future team members, but also for your organization.
Below, we share a few key findings and resources to start or continue building on your pipeline and DEI initiatives.
“We have a lot of work to do in communicating the value of the CPA license. We need more diversity in the profession and in leadership roles. We also need to find ways to support the many accounting, finance and tax professionals who don’t have a CPA license.”
—ZeNai Brooks, CPA, Cummins
CPA Actions to Take
Ready to branch out beyond your current recruiting efforts? INCPAS has existing opportunities to help increase awareness of the profession and your organization.
- CPA Week. High school accounting students want to hear from you—don’t miss this chance to share your story as a current or aspiring CPA.
- INCPAS Scholars. Find out more about this year-long career awareness and mentorship program and share it with high school students who may be interested in accounting.
- INCPAS Employer Guide. Our annual print and digital publication helps reach students, candidates and job seekers statewide, along with the chance to share more about your company, its culture and key benefits for internships/careers.
- DEI & Pipeline Sponsorship. Support student initiatives that will include first-access to events, mentorships and promotions.
Sources & Additional Reading
- AICPA 2021 Trends Report
- Center for Audit Quality: Increasing Diversity in the Accounting Profession Pipeline—Challenges & Opportunities
- Indiana Commission for Higher Education College Readiness Reports
- INCPAS Blog: 5 Critical First Steps to Launch Your DEI Initiatives
- INCPAS Blog: A Mid-Career Professional’s Journey to Obtain the CPA License
- INCPAS Blog: Make an Impact on the Next Generations by Sharing your CPA Experiences
- INCPAS Blog: Why High School is the Center of the Talent Pipeline
- INCPAS Connect: Member Spotlight—Stephanie Bowie, CPA
