Jan 24, 2022
The topic of Diversity in Accounting is not new. I have been hearing about it even before I entered into the profession almost two decades ago! Yet, the accounting profession is still not where it should be in terms of diversity goals. Any studies or statistics would show you that the representation of minorities in the accounting profession is low, specifically as the professionals continue to rise up the rank.
In the past years, we also heard about the pipeline problem - some of the young talents just don’t find accounting an attractive career option, which is such a shame because I personally love accounting, and how my accounting background and experiences has opened up so many opportunities and helped me to continue to build my entrepreneurial career.
Usually, when people look at me, they would never think I am an accountant - but I am a super proud accountant, and I am also a lot of things - I am a published author, podcast host, speaker, business owner, endurance athlete, pianist, and yes, I also built an online skin care company and sold it many years ago!
And honestly, when you get to know more of us in accounting, you will know how fascinating our stories are - there are comedians, FBI agents and children book authors - you name it! So I say we as accountants need to break this stereotype, change our narrative and branding, most importantly, share our stories so people know exactly what we do and the impact of our work.
ABOUT DR. KECIA WILLIAMS SMITH, PhD, CPA, Director, Center for Accounting Diversity
Kecia is a CPA, and currently serves as the Director of the Master of Accountancy Program in the Department of Accounting and Finance at North Carolina A&T State University. She spent her early careers at one of the big 4 for almost a decade, then, she pivoted to join the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) where she created and led the Inspections Training Office that served over 400 inspection personnel. Yes, if you remember, the PCAOB is a dedicated regulatory agency that was created by the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 to audit the auditors. Then, after spending almost another decade there, she went back to school to get her PhD - and post-PhD, she taught at Virginia Tech for a few years, and eventually returned to her alma mater in academia, bringing all her experiences together to the classroom.
Cece’s note: Kecia’s passion is contagious. I’d say it’s obvious that helping pave the way to quality education to the younger generations is not only her vocation, but her calling in life. Thank you, Kecia!
Connect with Kecia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kecia-williams-smith-ph-d-cpa-6053b11/
GET ON THE MAILING LIST
The Center for Accounting Diversity will be officially launching in Feb 2022 -- so exciting!! Stay up to date with this important initiative - send an email to thecenter@ncat.edu to be added to the mailing list.
ABOUT CECE LEUNG, CPA
Cecilia "Cece" Leung is a finance executive and CFO advisor to growing businesses who are ready to scale up financially and get ready for next-level opportunities. Cece is the founding partner of The Entrepreneur CFO, a global professional advisory firm helping growing companies with strategic decision making as they become financially and operationally ready for their next big thing. With fluency in Mandarin, Cantonese and English, paired with two decades of international financial services experience in New York, London, Switzerland, Hong Kong and China, Cece has worked with prominent firms including JP Morgan, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Ernst & Young, offering the best in-class solutions to Fortune 500 and growing companies worldwide. Cece is the author of the book Dear Accountant: Stories, Advice and Explorations, which offers up-and-coming professionals valuable insights and perspectives about the many career paths and opportunities under the accounting and finance umbrella.
Personal Website: www.ceceleung.com
Book Website: www.dearaccountantbook.com
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Coaching, Training and Workshop: https://www.ecfopro.com/training-and-coaching/
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