The history and future of Black CPAs [ Journal of Accountancy podcast ]

[get these nets]

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The struggles and triumphs of the first Black CPAs​

Hosted by Courtney Vien

April 5, 2021


In this first part of a two-episode podcast, we take a look at the remarkable accomplishments of Black CPAs in the 20th century, featuring the testimony of two CPAs who witnessed Black CPA history firsthand: Ruth Harris, the first Black female CPA in Virginia, and Frank Ross, one of the founders of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). Theresa Hammond, Ph.D., author of A White-Collar Profession: African American Certified Public Accountants Since 1921, adds historical context.
This podcast episode is associated with the Black CPA Centennial Campaign, a yearlong celebration and recognition of the impact of Black CPAs upon the profession.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The societal and structural barriers Black accountants faced when pursuing CPA licensure.
• Ruth Harris’s experience sitting for the CPA Exam as a Black woman in 1962.
• The integral role Black CPA firms and white allies played in helping Black accountants succeed.
• Changes in the 1960s that had a ripple effect throughout the profession.
• How and why NABA was founded.

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[get these nets]

What we can do to increase the number of Black CPAs​

Hosted by Courtney Vien

April 12, 2021


African Americans are still underrepresented in the accounting profession: Only 2% of CPAs are Black. In this second part of a two-episode podcast, we look at what the profession can do to increase the number of Black CPAs.
Guests Ruth Harris, the first Black female CPA in Virginia, and Frank Ross, one of the founders of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), share their experiences as Black CPAs and educators, and Theresa Hammond, Ph.D., author of A White-Collar Profession: African American Certified Public Accountants Since 1921, shares her perspective as an accounting professor and scholar of CPA history.
This podcast episode is associated with the Black CPA Centennial Campaign, a yearlong celebration and recognition of the impact of Black CPAs upon the profession.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why diversity programs at firms can fail to get momentum.
• The importance of sharing data about the demographics of CPAs.
• The role non-Black allies can play.
• Why mentors and sponsors are vital to Black accountants’ success.
• How to increase the visibility of the profession to young people.
• Why having more Black faculty matters.

 

[Amo Husserl]

The key for building black business and black wealth.
Got a couple classes left before I sit for my CPA. Salute.

 

[How Sway?]

Only 2% of class being black is crazy to me.

I think that is even lower than the percentage of black doctors

 

[get these nets]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-06-18/dei-backlash-does-sponsoring-naba-recruiting-event-count-as-dei

06/18/25

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-06-18/dei-backlash-does-sponsoring-naba-recruiting-event-count-as-dei

06/18/25

I'm the only black male accountant I know. Even further, I've only met one black cpa besides myself. I go to a state cpa meet in August, I'm curious to see what's going on when I arrive there.

 

[get these nets]

I'm the only black male accountant I know. Even further, I've only met one black cpa besides myself. I go to a state cpa meet in August, I'm curious to see what's going on when I arrive there.

If you dont mind me asking, which state do you live in?

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

If you dont mind me asking, which state do you live in?

No problem. I'm in Indiana breh. Northwest Indiana to be exact.

 

[get these nets]

No problem. I'm in Indiana breh. Northwest Indiana to be exact.

No other Black Accounting majors when you were in school, or in other schools in the metro area? And none of them went through the process to become CPAs?

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

No other Black Accounting majors when you were in school, or in other schools in the metro area? And none of them went through the process to become CPAs?

No other black male accounting majors with me. Black women? Yes. I know 5 black women accountants, one is a CPA. Black men such as myself. Only accountant and CPA.

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

No other black male accounting majors with me. Black women? Yes. I know 5 black women accountants, one is a CPA. Black men such as myself. Only accountant and CPA.

I'm at an Indiana CPA Society meeting right now in person in Carmel, Indiana and there are people all over the state here. I'm the only black person here brehs. I'm used to it but would like to see more representation of us.

 

[get these nets]

I'm at an Indiana CPA Society meeting right now in person in Carmel, Indiana and there are people all over the state here. I'm the only black person here brehs. I'm used to it but would like to see more representation of us.

Still crazy to hear this.
What fields did your college buddies go into, and what if anything can be done to bring more Black people into ACC ?

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

Still crazy to hear this.
What fields did your college buddies go into, and what if anything can be done to bring more Black people into ACC ?

Three closest friends growing up went to school for communications, culinary and electrical engineering.

There are stigmas surrounding the profession that simply aren't true.

• Accounting is boring: Fact is, we talk to everyone. My office as the controller and the cfo office are the offices that are popping. Why? Every action comes with a cost.
• We are just bean counters: Fact is, we are problem solvers. We remove the gray and distilled scenarios down to black and white.
• Job security: Fact is, AI is seemingly everywhere but the reality is, you still need accountants at the helm of these controls and AI can't do 90% of what we do. Companies make money, they need people to understand what to do with the money. That's where we come in.

There are many other things that I can do or say but we are looked at with the highest level of reverence in the organization. Now, be a CPA on top of that. I don't do it for the power or prestige but it comes with the territory. Not to mention the money. I had a recruiter reach out to me a few weeks ago, asking me if I were interested in leaving my job to go to DC for a CFO job that pays $280k. I'm waiting for my CFO to retire next year so I can get it at my job. All in all, your salary will be fine. A lot of benefits to being an accountant.