Over 750 universities in the United States offer undergraduate degrees in accounting, and black colleges employ over half of all African-Americans with PhDs in accounting, so a minuscule percentage of accounting programs have minorities on their faculties as role models for students. Although it is uncomfortable to acknowledge, discrimination continues to exist, though perhaps in more subtle ways than in the past. Several recent incidents in major U.S. corporations serve as reminders that attitudes change slowly. Progress cannot be made unless accounting professionals examine and override attitudes that hinder giving all new colleagues the same chance to succeed. In 1968, when President Kent made his historic speech, industries and professions removed their employment barriers in response to the Civil Rights movement's call for an end to discrimination.
Diversity is good for business.
Others surely will follow. The profession will be at a disadvantage if it does not change along with the changing composition of both clients and the workforce. By attracting the best and brightest students and professionals from all segments, we can improve the quality of the profession and enhance our contribution to society as a whole. Doctoral fellowship program. The committee distributes fellowships to students pursuing PhDs in accounting.