IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) and CalCPA (California Society of Certified Public Accountants), working collaboratively with research partners, contributors, and advisors, conducted a research study of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in the U.S. accounting profession. This study focused on three demographic areas: race and ethnicity, gender, and LGBTQIA orientation. The first in a multi-part global series, this study included an online survey of more than 3,000 current and former U.S. accounting professionals and interviews of more than 50 accounting, human resources, and DE&I practitioners and academics.
This research highlights a diversity gap, the observed difference between the demographic background of executive leadership ranks and the rest of the profession (as well as the U.S. population). The report presents an assessment of the current state of DE&I in the U.S. accounting profession through key survey findings, oral histories of the study’s participants, and an in-depth, discrete look at each demographic focus area.
The report also examines the role of ethics in the profession’s DE&I progress and suggests solutions to drive change as presented by the study’s participants. All organizations and researchers involved in this study intend to use the report as a catalyst for widespread, targeted, and coordinated DE&I improvement across the profession.
Other IMA resources on this topic include:
Strategic Finance article: Closing the Diversity Gap
Count Me In Podcast: DE&I in Accounting with IFAC President Alan Johnson
Certificate Program: IMA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Practices Certificate™