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PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

Becky Sproul, CPA, KPMG audit talent and 40-hour-a-week program that provides new hires
culture leader. the time, along with compensation and full benefits,
In the past year, KPMG has reduced the to focus on two of the most difficult sections of the
employee portion of health insurance premiums, re- CPA Exam. The program ties into Accelerate 2025,
placed its 401(k) match program with an automatic, KPMG’s firmwide diversity, equity, and inclusion
firm-funded contribution, enhanced caregiver and initiative, by helping reduce inequities in the CPA
parental leave, and increased paid time off. pipeline and supporting the career development of
Many firms, including Grimbleby Coleman underrepresented talent.
CPAs, a midsize firm based in Modesto, Calif., have “While certain undergraduate and fifth-year
also started providing employees increased flex- programs provide extensive support in passing the
ibility in number of hours worked, location of work, CPA Exam, students coming from less traditional
and what times they work. academic paths or smaller programs have a steeper
“This has allowed us to recruit as well as retain hill to climb,” Sproul said. “Importantly, underrep-
staff that we otherwise might have lost,” said Jane resented groups are more likely to come from those
Johnson, principal and COO for Grimbleby Cole- academic tracks, and that inequity contributes to a
man CPAs. less diverse talent pipeline.
Support employees as they take the exam. “We designed our CPA Kickstart program to
Preparing to take the CPA Exam while holding address those issues by providing paid time, re-
down a job is not easy. The more firms can do to sources, and structure to study for the CPA Exam,”
support their employees as they pursue their CPA Sproul added.
license, the better. Connect with local area schools and offer
That support can involve paid time off to study, scholarships. Firms can make a strategic invest-
free prep tools and resources, organized mentoring ment in students, the firm, and the profession by
groups, and exam expense reimbursement. partnering with high schools, community colleges,
Grimbleby Coleman CPAs started a CPA Exam and universities to offer internship programs or
support group several years ago named Sector 75. activities such as Shadow a CPA for a Day, said
The group meets on firm time and enables employ- Orumé Hays, CPA, CGMA, founder and manag-
ees to talk about challenges, highlight upcoming ing director of Hays CPA LLC, a small firm based
changes to the exam, share words of encourage- in Staten Island, and adjunct lecturer at City
ment, and hear the success stories of those who University of New York–College of Staten Island.
have passed the exam. Grimbleby Coleman’s Johnson, for example,
The firm pays for most of the CPA Exam review partners with California State University, Stan-
course and allows four full paid days off for taking islaus, where she serves on the business advisory
the exam as well as sabbaticals for those who want board. This allows her firm to stay connected to the
to accelerate their exam progress. Those who pass university, guide curriculum, and build relation-
the CPA Exam within 18 months of eligibility or ships with professors. The firm also participates in
hire receive a bonus. recruiting events and allows its employees to use
In May, KPMG’s audit practice announced their community service time to provide free tutor-
its CPA Kickstart program — a two-month, ing services to CSU Stanislaus students.

IN BRIEF pursuing a CPA license, and partnering college campuses are two ways to do
with high schools and colleges to offer that.
■ Everyone involved with the profession internships and scholarships. ■ Faculty and secondary school
is likely aware of ongoing CPA pipeline ■ Individual CPAs can be ambassadors teachers can increase awareness and
issues, but there are things everyone for the profession by communicating engagement by, for example, bringing
can do to help address them. the benefits of becoming a CPA to professional CPAs into the classroom
■ Accounting firms can bolster the younger generations. Mentoring as speakers or supporting efforts to
CPA pipeline by increasing salaries young professionals and volunteering get accounting made an AP course
and benefits, supporting employees to speak at high schools and on and be designated a STEM subject.
To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Courtney Vien at Courtney.Vien@aicpa-cima.com.

30 | Journal of Accountancy September 2022