KPMG ranked No. 6 on the Fair360 Top 50 Companies for Diversity list in 2023.
KPMG is offering paid internships to high school students to increase the diverse talent pipeline in accounting.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more people are quitting the profession than going into it because of its unflattering stereotype. Companies in the industry are working to inspire more students to consider accounting careers, saving the talent pipeline.
“We know this isn’t the sexiest of professions,” Elena Richards, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at KPMG, told CNBC. “We are really trying to focus on starting earlier and broadening the reach.”
The efforts are also focused on students from underrepresented groups. According to a recent AICPA Trends Report, only 2% of CPAs are Black and 5% are Hispanic despite job opportunities in the field.
The internship offers $20-$22 an hour, clothing and transportation stipends, meals and a business etiquette class. The program also offers skill-building tools and mentorship. Nearly 200 teenagers are participating in the internship program.
