Diversity Drive Falls Short at Big U.K. Accounting Firms

Ambitious programs to improve diversity at the big U.K. accounting firms have had limited impact so far, with firms well behind their own targets and those of large companies.

“It will take time,” BDO LLP’s U.K. operation’s Head of People Teresa Payne, said about her firm. In 2018, just 37 percent of BDO’s senior staff in the U.K. were women. That is little changed from the previous year, she said.

BDO’s situation is fairly typical of the large accounting groups, which are trying to improve diversity at everything from hiring of graduates to partner level, but with limited success ...