Rob Brown on Why Accounting Firms Are Quietly Pulling Back on DEI Initiatives an the impact on talent - Accounting Influencers Podcast

Episode 110

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Published on:

11th Mar 2025

DEI Retreat: a Death Sentence for Accounting Talent?

Why Are Accounting Firms Quietly Dropping DEI?

Accounting firms are making drastic changes to their DEI programs, and not in the way you might think. KPMG has officially ended its "Accelerate 2025" program, following similar moves from Deloitte and others. Meanwhile, governing bodies like AICPA, CIMA, and ACCA are doubling down on DEI’s importance. So, what’s really happening? In this episode, Rob Brown breaks down:

Key Takeaways:

✅ Why KPMG, Deloitte, and others are scaling back DEI

✅ The legal and political forces driving this shift

✅ How these changes impact recruitment and retention

✅ What firms risk by pulling back on DEI initiatives

✅ The burnout crisis hitting DEI professionals in firms

✅ What governing bodies like AICPA & ACCA say about DEI

✅ How accounting leaders should navigate this challenge

Killer Quotes:

💬 "Accounting firms are ditching DEI – is it a smart move or a disaster?"

💬 "Less than half of firms are even tracking DEI progress."

💬 "DEI officers burn out fast—most last just 3 years!"

💬 "The next generation of accountants cares about DEI—ignore it at your own risk."

💬 "If firms aren’t diverse, how will they attract diverse clients and talent?"

💬 "The legal landscape is shifting—but is pulling back the answer?"

💬 "Talent is already scarce. Does ignoring DEI make firms even less attractive?"

You can check out the video version of this with visuals and graphics here on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/ZMdh01NB_C0

The Accounting Influencers Podcast, hosted by Rob Brown, is one of the world's leading shows for accounting leaders, professionals, finance specialists, software vendors, tech providers and influencers.

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About the Podcast

Accounting Influencers Podcast
Host Rob Brown shows accounting professionals and leaders how to be more influential, grow their personal brand and be more authoritative, relevant and high profile in their roles..
The Accounting Influencers Podcast, hosted by Rob Brown, is a must-listen for accounting professionals looking to strengthen their leadership presence, stay informed on disruptive forces in accounting and build credibility within their firms. Geared toward firm leaders, managers, partners and influencers, the show covers key topics like career development, influence, personal branding and interpreting the evolving trends impacting the accounting world. Rob brings his expertise to each episode, offering insights and guidance on how to grow your personal brand and stay strategically important in a rapidly changing profession. Whether you're aiming to influence within your firm or expand your reputation outside of it, this international podcast offers practical advice and forward-thinking insights that will keep you informed and prepared for the future.
Accounting leadership
Executive presence for accountants
Building influence in accounting
Accounting industry trends
Personal branding for accountants
Accounting firm strategy
Accounting business models
Leadership in accounting firms
Talent management in accounting
Authority in accounting profession
Career development for accountants
Accounting firm growth strategies
Influencers in accounting
Accounting firm management
Disruptive forces in accounting
Accounting leadership strategies
Accounting career success
Accounting firm decision-makers
Accounting business trends
Building credibility in accounting

About your host

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Rob Brown

Rob Brown hosts the multiple accounting podcast and chair conferences, panels and events globally for the accounting and fintech profession. He is co-founder of Accounting Influencers Roundtable (AIR) which helps vendors, experts and influencers serve the accounting and finance world. He is a dynamic speaker and accomplished expert on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, career development, succession, gen z/generations, employee advocacy and executive presence. Rob is author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk ‘The Personal Brand of You’ has been viewed 400,000 times on YouTube. He is a stroke survivor, has epilepsy, is a committed Christian and has a black belt in kickboxing. He is based in Nottingham UK, home of Robin Hood, plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.