Accounting and Race: A long way to go

According to the results of a survey of 427 members of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), the profession still has a way to go when it comes to race relations.

Fifty-nine percent of respondents believe that because of their race, they have not always received unbiased/objective evaluations from their supervisors, and 55 percent sense that the mistakes they might make in the workplace directly impact the perception/evaluation of other members of their race.

Almost half think their non-minority counterparts with less technical competence or experience are given more high-profile/challenging job assignments, and 63 percent feel no obligation to remain with their current employer.

The survey, "The Professional Experience: The NABA Survey," was conducted by Howard University's Center for Accounting Education (CAE). Of respondents, 42 percent work in public accounting; 38 percent are employed by corporations and 20 percent work in the government or nonprofit sectors.

"In spite of diversity programs initiated by many of the nation's top employers, there is still disparity amongst people of color in the accounting and finance areas with regard to their ability to advance with their employers," Frank Ross, founding member and past NABA president and director of the CAE.

—M.W.