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Top accountancy firms and a number of UK universities have partnered to launch a programme that aims to make careers within the industry more accessible as part of a new Purpose Coalition project.
The project saw 11 firms – AAB, Albert Goodman, Crowe UK, Dains, Forvis Mazars, Gerald Edelman, HaysMac, James Cowper Kreston, Price Bailey, Rouse Partners and Saffery – join a number of education institutions in a series of roundtables to develop strategies that will ensure that opportunities within the industry are equally accessible to everyone.
A report detailing the initiative, Breaking Down Barriers to Accountancy, was also introduced in parliament to an audience of professionals, MPs and policymakers, which set out insights gained from the roundtables based on four key areas – outreach, access, recruitment and progression – as well as best practices and a wide range of perspectives from participants on the challenges they continue to face.
The report also outlined a full set of recommendations for each area, including targeting outreach and access work in social mobility coldspots; seeking out the voice of young people and the sector’s future employees; and collaborating with the sector to share resources to overcome challenges.
Chair of the Purpose Coalition and former education secretary, Rt Hon Justine Greening, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity to bring leading representatives of the accountancy profession together to hear firsthand about the challenges the sector faces in maintaining a talent pipeline that is fully representative of the communities it serves.
“I hope that the detailed recommendations included in the report will be a valuable resource for other accountancy firms to help them develop and implement their own strategies so that the sector becomes one which creates opportunity for all, regardless of background or circumstance.”
Nigel Bostock, chief executive of Crowe, added: “It is a privilege to be involved in this important project, driven by The Purpose Coalition, together with many of our peer firms. We are fully committed to reducing barriers to accountancy and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to access the profession and progress in their careers.
“This project has put a spotlight on social mobility and has played an essential role in critically challenging us all on how our profession can do more. It has also built a network of firms committed to addressing this together, and we look forward to working on joint initiatives that will deliver real impact in our sector.”
