VSCPA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council
VSCPA Statement on Racial Injustice
Professional Resources | Top
CEO Action for Diversity & InclusionTM Day of Understanding
Together, we have the power to change how people talk to their colleagues about tough topics and move the needle toward a more just and equitable world. Our hope is that by actively listening to your authentic stories, we can lay the foundation to better understand each other’s points of views and experiences, especially when they may be different from our own. Here are a few resources and programs to help you get started or even hold your own Day of Understanding.
- VSCPA Day of Understanding Listening Sessions
- Day of Understanding resources from CEO Action for Diversity & InclusionTM
- A Special Message From Our CEO
- Responding to Triggers (from Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities)
- A comparison of Dialogue and Debate (from Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities)
Featured Learning
- Ethics: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Learning Opportunities
- Women's Leadership Series
- VSCPA Diversity Seminars (from CPE Catalog search)
- VSCPA Unconscious Bias Members-Only Webinar recording
- VSCPA Virtual Interchange: Overview of AICPA Trends Report recording
- AICPA Diversity and Inclusion Webcasts
- Podcast: CEO Action Pledge, Transparency and DEI VSCPA Leading Forward
Toolkits & Assessments
- CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion
- Pathway for Progress Pledge & Toolkits (for employers in Northern Virginia and DC metro area)
- AICPA PCPS Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit
- AICPA Diversity Recruiting Plan Template
- AICPA Inclusion Maturity Model (AICPA membership required to access)
- AICPA Recruitment and Retention Toolkit
- Harvard Implicit Bias Test
- Annie E. Casey Racial Equity and Inclusion Action Guide
Other Resources
- Black CPA Centennial (1921-2021)
- Diversifying U.S. Accounting Talent: A Critical Imperative to Achieve Transformational Outcomes
- Personal Gender Pronouns — Information on why someone may choose to exhibit their pronouns
- Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities — nonprofit with consulting services, keynote speakers, organizational assessments and training resources
- AICPA Inclusion Solutions — free monthly e-newsletter of diversity and inclusion news from Wall Street Journal, Diversity Inc, Diversity Executive and other leading sources
- CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion — directory of programs and actions by employers worldwide
- Catalyst — resources on gender equality
- Project Include — sample diversity and inclusion policies, research based
- Google Re:Work — unconscious bias guides, resources and training
- AICPA Trends Report — trends in the supply of accounting graduates and demand for public accounting recruits
News & Articles on Diversity & Inclusion
- NEW! Diversity In Accounting: Seeing Is Believing AccountingWEB
- DEI in CPA Practices: Is Everyone Accounted For? CPA Practice Advisor
- Tips for Attracting Young, Diverse Talent Fast Company
- Building a Culture of DEI and Empathy in the Workplace June 2, 2021, Associations NOW
- How to Handle Discrimination At Work June 1, 2021, AccountingWEB
- CFOs Should Act With Intention To Make Diversity a Reality May 21, 2021, Financial Management
- Diverse Faculty Attracts Diverse Students May 19, 2021, Journal of Accountancy
- The One Piece of Data Your Company Needs to Track to Improve Diversity Efforts May 7, 2021, Fast Company
- Why Managers Are Key to D&I Success April 13, 2021, AccountingWEB
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Modern Firm April 2, 2021, CPA Practice Advisor
- Opening Doors for Others: The First Black Woman to Become a CPA March 15, 2021, Journal of Accountancy
- Why Diverse Talent Isn't Advancing To Leader Roles March 1, 2021, AccountingWEB
- Assessment is Key to a Successful D&I Effort March 1, 2021, Journal of Accountancy
- NABA Has Initiatives to Support Black Accountants Feb. 22, 2021 AccountingWEB
- Keep Microaggressions Out of Your Workplace Jan. 11, 2021, Journal of Accountancy
- Thoughtful Ways to Build More Inclusive Interview Practices Jan. 5, 2021, Fast Company
- Building a Truly Effective D&I Initiative Jan. 1, 2021, Journal of Accountancy
- The Importance of Disability Inclusion in the Workplace Dec. 8, 2020, CPA Practice Advisor
- Create a Respectful Workplace For People With Disabilities Oct. 2, 2020, Journal of Accountancy
- 5 Benefits of Having Diversity In Accounting Firms Aug. 27, 2020, AccountingWEB
- 4 Ways Companies Can Better Advocate for Nonbinary and Trans Employees June 25, 2020, Fast Company
- Accounting With Pride June 23, 2020, CIMA Insights
- Together, We Can Make a Difference: A 12-Step Plan to Address Racism and Unconscious Bias by Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, June 9, 2020, Journal of Accountancy
- D&I Initiatives: A Strategic Imperative Dec. 17, 2019, statement from Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, AICPA president and CEO
- Honoring a CPA Pioneer: Dr. Ruth Coles Harris, CPA July/August 2019 VSCPA Disclosures magazine
News & Articles on Equity
- NEW! How the Salary 'Ask Gap' Perpetuates Unequal Pay June 18, 2021, BBC
- Flexibility Can Cushion Pandemic's Threat to Women's Careers May 24, 2021, Journal of Accountancy
- 4 Steps Showcasing How Organizations Can Make Mental Health Efforts More Equitable May 11, 2021, Ragan
- Resilience Lessons For Women Accountants Apr. 2, 2021, Journal of Accountancy
- Want Equal Pay? Get Employees Talking About Their Paychecks March 11, 2021, Forbes
- Women Strengthen the Accounting Profession March 8, 2021, AICPA
- The Benefits of Having Female Leaders Sept. 24, 2020, AccountingWEB
- Let's Talk Equity: How Transparency Can Be the Ultimate Barrier Buster Sept. 2020, Synergy Consulting (VSCPA Center for Innovation Partner)
- How Female Accountants Can Excel As Leaders Oct. 5, 2020, AccountingWEB
- What Women Need to Rise In the Accounting Profession July 24, 2020, Journal of Accountancy
- Steps Toward Closing the Gender Pay Gap for Female Accountants Sept. 1, 2019, Journal of Accountancy
Podcasts
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion With Tracie Daniels VSCPA Leading Forward
- "What You Probably Didn't Know About Racism In the Workplace" Journal of Accountancy podcast
- "Increasing Profession Diversity One Firm At a Time" AICPA Small Firm Philosophy podcast
- "Recognizing and Rooting Out Racism: Advice for Leaders" Journal of Accountancy podcast
- VSCPA Leading Forward
- Women at Work from Harvard Business Review
- Leading with Empathy and Allyship from Change Catalyst
- The Will to Change: Uncovering True Stories of Diversity and Inclusion
Awards & Scholarships
- VSCPA Ruth Coles Harris Advancing Diversity & Inclusion Award — awarded annually
Pipeline Resources | Top
Scholarships
- VSCPA Educational Foundation Minority Undergraduate Scholarship
- AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students
- AICPA Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students
- National Association of Black Accountants Scholarship Program
- Association of Latino Professionals in Finance & Accounting Scholarship Program
- AICPA PCPS George Willie Ethnically Diverse Student Scholarship & Internship
Programs
- Volunteer for the VSCPA's student programs aimed at increasing diversity in the CPA pipeline:
- CPA Breakthrough: Program from National Society of Black CPAs pairing CPA Exam candidates with mentors. Sign up to be a mentor or mentee today!
Resources
- VSCPA student resources
- VSCPA My Path to CPA videos
- ThisWaytoCPA.com — for college students, recent graduates and CPA candidates
- StartHereGoPlaces.com — for high school students interesting in accounting careers
- AICPA Accounting Education Pipeline Resource Guide
- AICPA Student Engagement Toolkit
- AICPA Materials for Accounting Educators
- AICPA Trends Report — trends in the supply of accounting graduates and demand for public accounting recruits
- List of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic Serving Institutions that are AACSB and ACBSP accredited for accounting
These initiatives and resources are just the beginning of the VSCPA's diversity and inclusion efforts through our Center for Innovation. If you are interested in getting involved with VSCPA programs or have resources to add to this page, please contact VSCPA Innovation & Leadership Director Laura Cobb.