GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Accounting Industry Statistics

Diversity advances accounting industry; increased inclusion fosters success, retention, innovation.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Women make up approximately 50% of accounting professionals globally

Statistic 2

The average age of accounting professionals is increasing, with diversity efforts aiming to attract younger, diverse entrants

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Women earn about 85% of what men earn in the accounting industry

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Minority individuals are 1.8 times more likely to leave accounting jobs within the first three years, indicating retention challenges

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Female representation among newly licensed CPAs is about 47%, indicating growth in gender parity

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The representation of women in core accounting roles (e.g., auditors, controllers) is approximately 52%

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78% of accounting firms have diversity and inclusion initiatives

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Nearly 60% of accounting professionals believe diversity improves decision-making

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35% of accounting firms have dedicated diversity officers or committees

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65% of accounting firms have implemented unconscious bias training programs

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50% of accounting firms have mentorship programs to support diverse talent

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Nearly 70% of accounting firms see increased productivity as a benefit of diversity

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Companies with higher diversity scores are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially

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83% of accounting firms say that diversity and inclusion are a top priority for their strategic planning

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The number of accounting firms with formal diversity and inclusion policies has increased by 50% over the past five years

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About 60% of accounting firms plan to expand their diversity initiatives in the next two years

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52% of accounting firms have integrated diversity, equity, and inclusion metrics into their performance evaluations

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The percentage of accounting firms reporting progress in diversity and inclusion initiatives has doubled over the last four years, from 25% to 50%

Statistic 19

80% of accounting students from minority backgrounds believe mentorship is crucial for career advancement

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Approximately 18% of accounting firms have specific initiatives targeting racial and ethnic minorities

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Only 15% of accounting firms have comprehensive diversity and inclusion policies that cover all aspects of equity

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40% of accounting professionals report that their firms lack adequate diversity and inclusion training

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The percentage of firms actively recruiting diverse candidates increased from 30% to 55% over five years

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50% of accounting firms have increased their outreach to diverse communities to attract talent

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Over 40% of accounting firms have incorporated diversity metrics in their annual reporting

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Only 20% of CFOs in the accounting industry are women

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Minority representation in accounting firms stands at around 27%

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45% of new entrants into the accounting industry are from diverse backgrounds

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The percentage of African American CPAs is approximately 4.6%

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Hispanic/Latino representation among CPAs is about 7%

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The number of LGBTQ+ accounting professionals is estimated to be under 10%, due to underreporting and disclosure concerns

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15% of firms have achieved gender parity within their leadership teams

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80% of accounting students from minority backgrounds report a lack of role models in the industry

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The representation of women in senior leadership roles in accounting has increased by 15% over the last decade

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Only 12% of accounting executives are from minority groups

Statistic 36

There is a 22% gap in pay equity between minority and non-minority accountants

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Only 23% of leadership roles in accounting are held by women

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44% of accounting students cite a lack of diversity as a barrier to entering the industry

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Less than 10% of accounting professionals identify as LGBTQ+, highlighting the need for more inclusive environments

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The percentage of minority partners in accounting firms is around 9%

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Entry-level hiring in accounting has seen a 25% increase in diversity recruitment over the past three years

Statistic 42

The number of women in executive leadership roles within the accounting industry has increased by 12% over five years

Statistic 43

The global accounting industry has a diversity index score of 56 out of 100, indicating room for improvement

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Less than 20% of CPA firm partners are from minority backgrounds, indicating significant room for growth in minority leadership

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Employees from underrepresented groups report higher job satisfaction in inclusive workplaces

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67% of young accounting professionals believe that diversity and inclusion are critical to their firms' success

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29% of accounting professionals report experiencing racial or ethnic bias at work

Statistic 48

The percentage of accounting firms implementing flexible work arrangements has increased by 40% over the past five years

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40% of accounting firms include mental health support as part of their diversity initiatives

Statistic 50

Over 50% of underrepresented groups in accounting report experiencing microaggressions at work

Statistic 51

36% of accounting professionals are interested in diversity and inclusion training opportunities

Statistic 52

The retention rate of diverse employees in accounting firms is approximately 74%, lower than the overall industry average of 85%

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70% of firms that have implemented diversity training report positive impacts on workplace culture

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35% of employees from minority backgrounds report experiencing workplace microaggressions

Statistic 55

80% of younger accounting professionals prioritize corporate social responsibility and diversity efforts when choosing employers

Statistic 56

Corporate policies supporting family and work-life balance are positively correlated with higher diversity retention

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Key Highlights

Women make up approximately 50% of accounting professionals globally
Only 20% of CFOs in the accounting industry are women
Minority representation in accounting firms stands at around 27%
78% of accounting firms have diversity and inclusion initiatives
Nearly 60% of accounting professionals believe diversity improves decision-making
45% of new entrants into the accounting industry are from diverse backgrounds
35% of accounting firms have dedicated diversity officers or committees
Employees from underrepresented groups report higher job satisfaction in inclusive workplaces
65% of accounting firms have implemented unconscious bias training programs
The percentage of African American CPAs is approximately 4.6%
Hispanic/Latino representation among CPAs is about 7%
67% of young accounting professionals believe that diversity and inclusion are critical to their firms' success
The average age of accounting professionals is increasing, with diversity efforts aiming to attract younger, diverse entrants

Despite notable strides in diversity, equity, and inclusion, the accounting industry still faces significant challenges and disparities, with women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ professionals underrepresented and often experiencing bias, highlighting a critical need for ongoing efforts to foster truly inclusive workplaces that drive innovation and success.

Demographics and Career Progression Trends

Women make up approximately 50% of accounting professionals globally
The average age of accounting professionals is increasing, with diversity efforts aiming to attract younger, diverse entrants
Women earn about 85% of what men earn in the accounting industry
Minority individuals are 1.8 times more likely to leave accounting jobs within the first three years, indicating retention challenges
Female representation among newly licensed CPAs is about 47%, indicating growth in gender parity
The representation of women in core accounting roles (e.g., auditors, controllers) is approximately 52%

Demographics and Career Progression Trends Interpretation

While women now comprise nearly half of global accounting professionals and are climbing the ranks, persistent pay gaps and high turnover among minorities underscore that achieving true inclusivity still requires more than just numbers—it demands genuine structural change.

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives and Policies

78% of accounting firms have diversity and inclusion initiatives
Nearly 60% of accounting professionals believe diversity improves decision-making
35% of accounting firms have dedicated diversity officers or committees
65% of accounting firms have implemented unconscious bias training programs
50% of accounting firms have mentorship programs to support diverse talent
Nearly 70% of accounting firms see increased productivity as a benefit of diversity
Companies with higher diversity scores are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially
83% of accounting firms say that diversity and inclusion are a top priority for their strategic planning
The number of accounting firms with formal diversity and inclusion policies has increased by 50% over the past five years
About 60% of accounting firms plan to expand their diversity initiatives in the next two years
52% of accounting firms have integrated diversity, equity, and inclusion metrics into their performance evaluations
The percentage of accounting firms reporting progress in diversity and inclusion initiatives has doubled over the last four years, from 25% to 50%
80% of accounting students from minority backgrounds believe mentorship is crucial for career advancement
Approximately 18% of accounting firms have specific initiatives targeting racial and ethnic minorities
Only 15% of accounting firms have comprehensive diversity and inclusion policies that cover all aspects of equity
40% of accounting professionals report that their firms lack adequate diversity and inclusion training
The percentage of firms actively recruiting diverse candidates increased from 30% to 55% over five years
50% of accounting firms have increased their outreach to diverse communities to attract talent
Over 40% of accounting firms have incorporated diversity metrics in their annual reporting

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives and Policies Interpretation

With two-thirds of firms recognizing that diversity fuels decision-making and nearly all top strategic priorities emphasizing inclusion, the accounting industry is finally cataloging diversity not just as an ethical checkbox but as a quantifiable driver of performance—though with room still left for comprehensive policies and meaningful change.

Representation of Underrepresented Groups

Only 20% of CFOs in the accounting industry are women
Minority representation in accounting firms stands at around 27%
45% of new entrants into the accounting industry are from diverse backgrounds
The percentage of African American CPAs is approximately 4.6%
Hispanic/Latino representation among CPAs is about 7%
The number of LGBTQ+ accounting professionals is estimated to be under 10%, due to underreporting and disclosure concerns
15% of firms have achieved gender parity within their leadership teams
80% of accounting students from minority backgrounds report a lack of role models in the industry
The representation of women in senior leadership roles in accounting has increased by 15% over the last decade
Only 12% of accounting executives are from minority groups
There is a 22% gap in pay equity between minority and non-minority accountants
Only 23% of leadership roles in accounting are held by women
44% of accounting students cite a lack of diversity as a barrier to entering the industry
Less than 10% of accounting professionals identify as LGBTQ+, highlighting the need for more inclusive environments
The percentage of minority partners in accounting firms is around 9%
Entry-level hiring in accounting has seen a 25% increase in diversity recruitment over the past three years
The number of women in executive leadership roles within the accounting industry has increased by 12% over five years
The global accounting industry has a diversity index score of 56 out of 100, indicating room for improvement
Less than 20% of CPA firm partners are from minority backgrounds, indicating significant room for growth in minority leadership

Representation of Underrepresented Groups Interpretation

While diversity in accounting is slowly inching upward—highlighted by a 15% rise in women in senior roles and a 25% boost in diverse recruitment—the industry still faces a stark underrepresentation of women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ professionals at leadership levels, underscoring that the balance sheet of inclusion remains a work in progress rather than a finished ledger.

Workplace Culture and Employee Well-being

Employees from underrepresented groups report higher job satisfaction in inclusive workplaces
67% of young accounting professionals believe that diversity and inclusion are critical to their firms' success
29% of accounting professionals report experiencing racial or ethnic bias at work
The percentage of accounting firms implementing flexible work arrangements has increased by 40% over the past five years
40% of accounting firms include mental health support as part of their diversity initiatives
Over 50% of underrepresented groups in accounting report experiencing microaggressions at work
36% of accounting professionals are interested in diversity and inclusion training opportunities
The retention rate of diverse employees in accounting firms is approximately 74%, lower than the overall industry average of 85%
70% of firms that have implemented diversity training report positive impacts on workplace culture
35% of employees from minority backgrounds report experiencing workplace microaggressions
80% of younger accounting professionals prioritize corporate social responsibility and diversity efforts when choosing employers
Corporate policies supporting family and work-life balance are positively correlated with higher diversity retention

Workplace Culture and Employee Well-being Interpretation

While diverse and inclusive workplaces in accounting are notably correlated with higher job satisfaction and a growing emphasis on CSR, lingering issues like microaggressions and retention gaps reveal that the industry still has a long way to go before true equity is achieved.