Call to Action: Advancing African American Representation in the CPA Profession

by Tonia Campbell, CPA

I am honored and humbled to serve on the Washington State Board of Accountancy. This past year has been both a privilege and a responsibility as I have worked to serve the board, the public, and the profession. My motivation to take on the role of board chair stems from a deep commitment to positive impact on our profession and community and ensure the long-term sustainability of the accounting profession. 

Personal Perspective and the Power of Representation 

As I conclude this year, I want to share my perspective, both professionally and personally. As an African American, I see it as my responsibility to be visible within the profession, demonstrating to others that they, too, can find success as a CPA. When I first learned, in 2021, that African Americans made up only 2% of the CPA profession—with just 1% employed by public accounting firms, despite making up 13% of the U.S. population—I was deeply struck by these figures. The lack of progress over more than 40 years is concerning (Source: Journal of Accountancy 2021). 

Before I entered the profession, I had not encountered other African Americans in the CPA field. Fortunately, I had parents who encouraged me to pursue any path I chose. For many, seeing someone like themselves in these roles is essential to believing in their own potential for achievement and leadership. However, visibility alone is not enough to address the underlying root causes behind these statistics. 

Educational Pipeline Challenges 

The profession’s traditional pathway has limited opportunities, and the educational pipeline reveals troubling trends. According to AICPA data, Black enrollment in bachelor’s and master’s accounting programs dropped from approximately 11% in 2001–02 to about 7.2% in 2011–12.

The Center for Audit Quality’s 2023 Annual Report highlights that the number of Black students earning undergraduate accounting degrees continues to decline. Fewer students are graduating in accounting, and interest in sitting for the CPA exam has waned from historical highs. 

Despite these challenges, I am proud of the alternative pathways approved by the WA Board of Accountancy, effective in November 20, 2025. This initiative has already shown positive results and marks an important first step in increasing interest in the CPA exam and broadening access to the profession. 

A Defining Moment for the Profession 

The CPA profession faces a defining moment. Enrollment in accounting programs is decreasing, CPA exam participation has reached its lowest level in decades, and the pipeline continues to narrow. Most notably, African Americans remain persistently underrepresented at every stage of the accounting and CPA pathway. 

The Urgency of the Moment 

While African Americans comprise 13% of the U.S. population, they account for only about 2% of licensed CPAs and an even smaller share of firm partners. Academic research shows disproportionately low CPA exam pass rates among Black candidates, and recent reports indicate a continued decline in the number of Black accounting graduates. These trends result in fewer candidates entering the profession, fewer rising to leadership, and less representation in a field that relies on public trust. Addressing these challenges requires deliberate, sustained action across all parts of the CPA ecosystem. 

A Collaborative Call to Action 

This challenge is not new, but what is new is the strategic alignment among State CPA Societies, public accounting firms, and individual professionals, all recognizing that closing the opportunity gap is critical for the strength, sustainability, and credibility of the profession. My hope is to inspire a collaborative call to action. We are uniquely positioned to be effective by reaching out, working together, and taking meaningful steps forward.

1. State CPA Society: Drive System-Level Solutions
   State societies have a distinctive ability to bring together coalitions across the state and create strategies that tackle broad, persistent issues affecting the profession.
2. CPA Firms: Build an Environment Where Black Talent Can Thrive 
   Firms must assess and improve workplace culture. Retention is as important as recruitment. Regular assessments, transparent promotion criteria, and equitable performance evaluations can help eliminate barriers that disproportionately impact Black professionals.
3. Individual Professionals: Make Personal Contributions to the Pipeline 
   Every CPA—regardless of position or tenure—can help shape the future of the profession. Sharing personal stories, especially with students from underrepresented backgrounds, helps humanize accounting and makes the CPA path feel attainable. 

Why Increasing African American Representation Matters 

Expanding African American representation in the CPA profession is more than a diversity initiative; it is a business imperative, a public-interest obligation, and a matter of long-term sustainability. Diverse teams improve decision-making, strengthen audit quality, and foster greater innovation. Most importantly, a profession that reflects the communities it serves builds deeper trust and stronger public confidence. The future of the CPA profession depends on the actions we take today; strengthening the pipeline for African American students and professionals is essential. 

A Shared Responsibility

No single organization can solve this challenge alone. Real progress will require collaboration among educators, employers, state societies, regulators, and professionals. The path forward is clear: invest early, remove structural barriers, support candidates through licensure, and create environments where African American CPAs can build long and rewarding careers. The future of the profession depends on who we empower today. Let us commit, together, to building a profession that welcomes, develops, and elevates African American talent at every stage of the journey. 

Conclusion 

Although accounting has more diversity than partnership and CPA licensure data indicate, licensing and career advancement show the widest gaps for Black professionals. It is essential that we work together now to create a more inclusive profession. Thank you to those in the field who are advancing diversity and inclusion and inspiring positive change.