NPAG Accounting Talent Strategy Report: Recommendation #4 – Expand Access for Underrepresented Groups
The National Pipeline Advisory Group (NPAG) has released its Accounting Talent Strategy Report, sharing the results of months of research and feedback on how to improve the accounting talent pipeline. This series of six articles presents a brief overview of the recommendations outlined in the report.
One of NPAG’s major recommendations is to expand access to the accounting profession for underrepresented minorities and groups. The causes of underrepresentation are multifaceted, and NPAG outlines a range of factors and suggested ways to address them in its report.
Expand Programs for Underrepresented Minorities
NPAG recommends that employers take an inventory of their current diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging efforts, specifically those centered on early-stage recruiting, to ensure resources are being deployed equitably. NPAG encourages employers to increase their outreach visits to middle schools, high schools, community colleges and universities, especially minorityserving institutions (MSls) and schools with higher underrepresented populations. In addition, members of the profession should familiarize themselves with and work to strengthen accounting immersion experiences. NPAG notes that existing immersion programs are scalable and that participants have been continuing on to business and accounting programs.
Engage With MSls and Campuses With a High Population of Underrepresented Students
The profession as a whole should also work to develop closer relationships with MSls and schools with higher underrepresented populations. MSls include historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions (HSls), tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), and Asian American and Pacific Islander-serving institutions (AAPISls). These relationships can help build awareness of accounting among students, as well as provide mentoring and recruiting opportunities on campuses.
Promote Smooth Transitions Between Community Colleges and Four-Year Institutions
In NPAG's survey, 47% of students said that creating and/or amplifying programming and resources to help transition community college students successfully into four-year accounting programs would be a very effective pipeline solution. NPAG suggests that states and the academic community work together to build stronger connections between community colleges and universities. In addition, best practices for articulation agreements and other transfer policies should be reviewed and shared. Employers and community college administrations can also coordinate to make sure community college students have access to and are ready for internships.
Offer Financial Assistance for Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Groups
In its report, NPAG provides evidence that the time and cost of accounting's 150-hour education requirement has disproportionally impacted minority CPA candidates. NPAG acknowledges that more work needs to be done in this area but also notes that existing programs have been helping to address costs. Current programs include scholarship programs from CPA state societies, the AICPA, accounting organizations, firms and employers, and NASBA. In the report, NPAG also recommends the profession work to address the costs of exam prep and review courses.
Review Exam and Course Materials for Bias
NPAG also recommends in its report that the content of the CPA Exam should continue to be routinely reviewed for bias that could unintentionally weed out qualified candidates. At the academic level, similar reviews could also be conducted to detect bias in course materials and textbooks.
More Information
For more details on this topic, or to read the full Accounting Talent Strategy Report, visit https://www.accountingpipeline.org.