Firm Aims To Draw Minorities Into Tax Field
NEW YORK -- Ernst & Young LLP will host more than 100 minority students from 58 US colleges and universities at the firm's fifth annual all-expense-paid Discover Tax event in New York City today through January 7th. The firm will also simultaneously host its third annual Campus Diversity & Inclusiveness Roundtable for key faculty and administrators from top undergraduate business programs.
Discover Tax "Introducing diverse students to the tax profession early in their college careers is critical to attracting more minorities to the profession," said Chris Yamamoto, Ernst & Young LLP, Tax People Leader. "Our people and their diverse perspectives are key to meeting our clients' needs and this has only grown in importance as businesses have increased their geographic reach. The Discover Tax event has helped us recruit and strengthened our diverse talent pipeline." The three-day Discover Tax event consists of panels, hands-on learning activities, networking events and opportunities to speak one-on-one with Ernst & Young LLP leaders. Following the conference, all attendees are eligible to interview for internships with the firm. To date, more than 70 percent of Discover Tax participants have been extended internship offers, with a 90 percent acceptance rate.. Since its launch in January 2007, Discover Tax has helped Ernst & Young LLP increase the number of minority campus hires for its tax practice: underrepresented minority campus hires have increased from 11 percent to 16 percent. Minority partners and staff now represent 30 percent of Ernst & Young LLP's total US employee population—more than double the representation a decade ago. Campus Diversity and Inclusiveness Roundtable Ernst & Young LLP will also host its third annual Campus Diversity and Inclusiveness Roundtable for over 30 faculty, deans, accounting chairs and administrators on January 5 and 6 to discuss and share leading practices regarding diversity issues facing today's undergraduate business programs. "There's no question that diversity is an advantage in today's global business environment," said Ken Bouyer, Ernst & Young LLP, Americas Director of Inclusiveness Recruiting. "Given this reality, we are determined to continue a dialogue with business faculty to help them prepare students for the global workplace." Topics discussed during the roundtable will include the business imperative for increased diversity, creating an inclusive culture, and strategies on leading and encouraging diversity and inclusiveness in the business school. The roundtable will also feature a dialogue with Steve Reinemund, Dean of Business at Wake Forest University, former Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo and board member at American Express Company, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Marriott International, Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Reinemund will share how he leverages his past experience as CEO of PepsiCo to enhance diversity and inclusiveness at Wake Forest. During a panel discussion at the roundtable, three past winners of Ernst & Young LLP's Inclusive Excellence Award for Accounting and Business School Faculty will share their successes and challenges around advancing diversity and inclusiveness on their campuses.
