SPEAKER: Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk, President
SESSION TITLE: How Private Equity is Changing Accounting & Career Paths – MOVE Research Results
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
Few things have created more discussion and disruption in the tax and accounting professions than private equity’s entry into this space. This new entry along with the ongoing talent shortage is creating conflict for some firms. But this story goes beyond the financial implications. While the influx of cash is grabbing headlines, an important factor that is often missed is how this structure transforms firm dynamics and affects career opportunities for team members.
The Accounting MOVE Project conducts a yearly survey of qualitative and quantitative data on employer demographics. In this year’s research, the Accounting MOVE Project took a careful look at the ways private equity (PE) investment is currently affecting employees by talking to firm leaders as well as prominent intermediaries. Some think PE is leveling the playing field, offering oft-overlooked women and people of color more opportunities to prove their value and leadership potential. Others are worried that the intense focus on increasing revenues might undermine the people-centric strategies that many firms depend on to attract and retain employees, who are in increasingly short supply. Additionally, the research dove into the debate around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and how DEI leaders are working to overcome skepticism and keep momentum in the workplace. Finally, our presenter will discuss what was learned about MOVE’s foundational pillars: Money, Opportunity, Vital Supports, and Entrepreneurship, and how trailblazing firms are taking steps to meet the diverse needs of their multi-generational workforce.
Learning Objectives:
• Evaluate how private equity’s entry into public accounting is influencing career trajectories
• Observe industry trends based on the Accounting MOVE Project’s research and extrapolate how those trends will continue in the future
• Recognize the value of DEI as a worthy pursuit
• List feedback from MOVE firms regarding the 4 areas of the Accounting MOVE study: Money, Opportunity, Vital Supports, and Entrepreneurship
Field of Study: Personnel/Human Resources
Program Level: Overview / 1 CPE credit / Non-Technical
Prerequisites: None
Advance Preparation: None
Speaker BIO:
Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk (like “rustic” without the “t”) is a marketing consultant with bbr companies where she provides strategic guidance, project management and serves as an outsourced marketing director for firms that don’t need that resource full-time. She is also co-owner of Rally Rounds mastermind groups which provides support, ideas, and accountability for accounting growth professionals. Finally, she is a Cornell-certified DEI consultant, and owner of the Accounting MOVE Project, the only annual benchmarking research and advocacy report that equips accounting firms to detect, develop and drive competitive advantages from diversity initiatives and trends.
Email: bonnie@accountingmoveproject.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniebuolruszczyk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084322337410
Website: https://accountingmoveproject.com