The
Best CPA Firms for Women list, sponsored by AFWA, is based on each year’s MOVE results. The 12 firms named to the Best Accounting Firms for Women list demonstrate three characteristics:
- Consistent, measurable progress in advancing women to leadership.
- Proven and continually evolving programs that retain and advance women.
- Clear and compelling integration of the business case for advancing women with business results.
Among the firms represented are three Moore Stephens North America members:
Brown Smith Wallace (St. Louis)
The firm assigns performance managers to work with younger employees to craft personalized career advancement strategies that provide guidance during early career decisions and their ramifications.
Lurie LLP (Minneapolis)
Even as the firm builds on programs that help millennials envision themselves as firm owners, Lurie is continually examining drivers of success so it can define advancement in terms broader than titles.
The Bonadio Group (Pittsford, NY)
With 38% female partners and principals and 50% of the new 2018 partners female, the firm continues to focus on a strong pipeline by including senior level employees in its leadership development training program.
The Accounting MOVE Project also recognizes firms with at least 50 employees, where women comprise at least 31% of partners and principals.
The Best CPA Firms for Equity Leadership list is also based on MOVE survey results and recognizes firms with at least 33% women partners and principals, as 33% is widely recognized as the tipping point for members of any identity group to have individual impact. The Equity Leadership list recognizes firms that have achieve that milestone through any combination of culture, programs or initiatives.
The Bonadio Group (Pittsford, NY) *Also a Best CPA Firm for Women, 37.6% women partners and principals
Brown Smith Wallace (St. Louis) *Also a Best CPA Firm for Women, 36.2% women partners and principals
Lurie LLP (Minneapolis) *Also a Best CPA Firm for Women, 33.3% women partners and principals
ABOUT THE ACCOUNTING MOVE PROJECT
The Accounting MOVE Project is based on the MOVE methodology, developed by research partner Wilson-Taylor Associates, Inc., which investigates the factors proven to be essential to women’s career success:
M – Money: fair pay practices;
O – Opportunity: advancement and leadership development;
V – Vital supports: work-life programs that remove barriers;
E – Entrepreneurship: operating experience for managing or business ownership
Since 2010, the Accounting MOVE Project has measured and supported the advancement of women at accounting and consulting firms. MOVE is the only annual benchmarking project that both counts and advocates for women in the profession.
The MOVE Project advisory board includes leaders from association partner the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance; founding sponsor Moss Adams; and national sponsor CohnReznick.
MOVE is made possible by support from its sponsors and by administrative fees paid by participating firms. Firms receive benchmarking reports based on the MOVE Project.
2018 Accounting MOVE results are based on surveys and interviews with 45 participating firms that consist of 31,533 employees, conducted from November 2017 to March 2018.
For more information about the Accounting MOVE Project and see prior years’ results, please visit the
Accounting MOVE Project web page.
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CONTACTS:
Debi Williams
Director of Operations
Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance
P: 859-219-3578
E:
deborah.williams@afwa.org
Social Media: @AFWANational
Joanne Cleaver
Wilson-Taylor Associates, Inc.
P: 231.299.1275/Cell: 414.232.3181
E:
jycleaver@wilson-taylorassoc.com