Half of accountants believe that diversity is important. Half do not. Meanwhile, efforts to increase diversity in accounting firms have had disappointing results. Todd Shapiro and Kari Natale of the Illinois CPA Society join to discuss why and what the profession should do about it.

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(00:00) - Preview: Coninue to talk about the diversity issues
(00:51) - How to earn FREE CPE
(01:13) - Overview of the diversity problem in the CPA profession
(04:31) - Tell us about your internship program
(09:59) - Why are accountants leaving the profession?
(14:14) - Things firms can do to help these employees be better preprared
(24:25) - Launching 2.0 version to ensure success once they are at a job
(27:59) - 36% of accounting profession doesn't think DEI is important
(31:55) - Organizations make better decisions when employees are diverse
(40:58) - What can universities and schools do to prepare accounting majors better?
(42:31) - What is it that alumni felt like they were unprepared to do?
(44:55) - Should schools be teaching more soft skills
(51:04) - Wrap up and where to reach Todd and Kari

Show Notes

Accountants and DEI: By the numbers | Accounting Today
https://www.accountingtoday.com/list/accountants-and-dei-by-the-numbers

Read "A CPA Diversity Report: Uncovering the Barriers to Success"
https://www.icpas.org/information/professional-issues/cpa-diversity

Connect with Our Guests

Todd Shapiro
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-shapiro-536b6b1/

Kari Natale
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinatale/

Learn more about the Illinois CPA Society

http://icpas.org

Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

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