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

Episode 110

DEI Retreat: a Death Sentence for Accounting Talent?

Published on: 11th March, 2025

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 Voices Podcast
Accounting Voices helps people in the accounting world stay relevant visible and vocal. Host Rob Brown interprets trends reshaping the profession and gives listeners insight to build authority influence and a stronger voice in firms and markets.
Accounting Voices, hosted by Rob Brown, helps decision makers and leaders in accounting and finance stay relevant, visible and vocal in a profession being reshaped by technology, private equity, regulation and shifting client expectations. Each episode interprets the trends disrupting accounting and finance such as AI, automation, M&A, talent and the move to advisory and translates them into practical insight that strengthens authority and influence.
Accounting Voices is also a platform for the wider ecosystem of networks, associations, educators, consultants, software vendors and technology experts who serve accountants and finance professionals worldwide. It extends into regular Accounting Voices networking sessions that connect this audience and amplify ideas that move the profession forward. With its international reach and long shelf life the show delivers credibility and commercial value for listeners and sponsors alike. Search for "Accounting Voices" on YouTube for all episodes and connect with Rob Brown on LinkedIn to find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

About your host

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Rob Brown

ob Brown is the creator and host of the Accounting Voices Network, a media platform that includes the flagship solo podcast Accounting Voices and the panel shows Accounting M&A and Accounting Tech. He chairs conferences, panels and virtual events worldwide and is recognised as a leading advocate for the accounting profession.

He is an accomplished speaker and authority on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, succession, executive presence and the forces shaping the future of accounting. Rob is the author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk The Personal Brand of You has been viewed more than 400,000 times.

A former co-founder of the Accounting Influencers Roundtable, Rob now focuses on amplifying the voices of leaders, firms, networks, vendors and influencers across the global accounting ecosystem.

Outside of work he is a stroke survivor, lives with epilepsy, holds a black belt in kickboxing and is based in Nottingham, UK. He plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.