Top Five Firm RSM US promised to be a "driver and influencer of diversity and inclusion in the marketplace" in its inaugural diversity, equity and inclusion report, published on Wednesday.
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"Inclusion is central to who I am and how I work[,] as I have always believed that when people feel like they are part of the team, it leads to better outcomes," wrote Joe Adams, RSM US managing partner and CEO, in the report's introduction. "I have been fortunate to have a tremendous career at RSM, and part of that is because I had leaders who were willing to listen to and understand me. That is the environment I want to create for all people who work for and with RSM, and it’s one of the reasons I am so passionate about CDI."
The firm outlined a number of DE&I-specific goals for 2021 and beyond in the report, including:
- Train 70 percent of RSM leaders in inclusive leadership and other behaviors, and embedding this into firm training in 2021;
- Integrate CDI measures and accountability into operational functions in 2021;
- Reward and recognize inclusive leaders, and establish standards for this accountability in 2021;
- Refine recruiting priorities and establish processes to attract and hire diverse talent – such as representation in RSM's talent pool, selection committee and Employee Network Group (ENG) involvement;
- Issue annual diversity and inclusion report for transparency and accountability; and
- Establish a middle-market collaborative for diversity and inclusion.
Looking internally, RSM US reported that the firm saw a 13 percent increase in female hires last year, with a 16 and 21 percent increase in Black and Latinx hires, respectively. The firm also reported that 44 percent of its promotions over the last year were of female staff members, with another 20 percent increase in promotions of racial and ethnic minority staff members.
"While changing behaviors takes time, building a culture of inclusion starts with listening and understanding one another’s experiences," RSM US noted in the report. "Through our inclusive programs and practices, we have cultivated a workplace that celebrates and values the varied perspectives that each of our people brings to the firm. We call it the power of being you. Each member of our team brings unique personalities, insights and perspectives on inclusion in the communities where we live and work."
For the full report, head to RSM US's
