Councilor, Buchanan & Mitchell (CBM) has been named one of the best accounting firms in equity leadership by the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA). This recognition, published in AFWA’s 2019 Accounting MOVE Project report, highlights CBM as a firm with above-average equity by women leaders (at 47.1%). CBM’s recognition also reflects the launch of a professional development initiative for women and diverse professionals at the firm entitled CBM D-PATH (Diversity: Professional Accountants and Advisors Transforming the Horizon).
The 2019 Accounting MOVE Project survey, conducted annually among accounting firms since 2010, is based on a methodology designed by research firm Wilson-Taylor Associates, which investigates the factors proven essential to a woman’s career success. The survey provides an annual list of best accounting firms for women, a review of the state of women in the accounting industry, tips for advancing the careers and leadership capabilities of women at their firms, and resources to establish women’s initiatives at accounting firms.
Patricia Drolet, board chair at CBM, spearheaded CBM D-PATH in early 2019 to cultivate opportunities for the firm’s female professionals through participation in education, leadership development and networking. The group also meets with and explores collaborative opportunities with other business representatives invested in diversity and women’s empowerment initiatives in the workplace. Last month, CBM D-PATH sponsored the Greater Washington Society of CPAs’ 2019 Women’s Leadership Conference.
“Over the past seven years, CBM merged five practices into its operations, rapidly diversifying the representation of women across all areas of the firm’s leadership,” says Drolet. “Right now, 47% of the firm’s management is female as is nearly two-thirds of CBM’s entire team. We continue to seek opportunities to empower women in the workplace, and to showcase our firm as a forward-thinking, progressive professional services firm that harnesses the talents and abilities of all individuals.”
Adds President and Managing Partner Peter Reilly, “I believe our firm is stronger for the growing influx of female leadership at CBM. Since CBM began merging in new practices in the early 2010s, and especially during the past several years when the Washington Business Journal started listing us among the top 25 accounting firms in the Washington, DC metropolitan region, our ability to deliver outstanding client services falls even more heavily upon today’s leadership and the abilities of all our talented professionals.
To read the full 2019 Accounting MOVE report, click here.
Councilor, Buchanan & Mitchell (CBM) is a professional services firm delivering tax, accounting and business advisory expertise throughout the Mid-Atlantic region from offices in Bethesda, MD and Washington, DC.
