INCPAS conference talks diversity: 'It's a simple math problem'

Leaders across the accounting profession gathered in Indiana to collaborate on developing the CPA pipeline and diversifying the workforce. 

The Vision 2027 conference, organized by the Indiana CPA Society, was held on May 10 in Indianapolis. Represented groups included the Association of Latino Professionals for America, the Center for Audit Quality, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Institute for Workforce Excellence, the National Association of Black Accountants, state CPA societies and Indiana business owners.

"It's a simple math problem. If we don't diversify, we're not going to have enough CPAs," said Courtney Kincaid, president and CEO of INCPAS. "Accounting organizations and state CPA society leaders know this, but we don't have the cultural competencies to carry messages that resonate within our country's many unique communities alone. We can achieve so much more in the pipeline together with our collective time, resources and strengths."

The ALPFA presented findings from two reports: "More Than a Monolith: The Advancement of Hispanic and Latino/a Talent" and the 2023 Official LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report.

"Our impact on U.S. GDP can't be understated, with 50% of new businesses being created by the Latino community," said Damian Rivera, president and CEO of the ALPFA. "So when we're talking about addressing workforce issues — you have a whole generation coming up who's entrepreneurial and working to build wealth. If you're not engaging in the Latino community, it's going to be harder to engage with future customers and their customer's customers."

"You can't solve problems by staying distant," Guylaine Saint Juste, president and CEO of NABA, said in another presentation. "The traditional way of thinking about the path to and within accounting has to change. And not only do we need to consider what that means for us, but we need to work together on how we can comprehensively position ourselves in this changing space."

Moving forward, INCPAS will build financial support for its Indiana CPA Education Foundation as well as ALPFA and NABA. 

"According to CAQ research, Black and Hispanic students both report on having a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and Indiana can help them capitalize on that," Kincaid said. "This means conversations with high schools, community colleges and business partners about what's next for these students. Accounting is a fundamental launchpad for a successful career in business."