FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO THE BIG FOUR TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION BY LARRY BRADLEY, GLOBAL HEAD OF AUDIT, KPMG INTERNATIONAL FROM BUSSING TABLES IN a restaurant and carrying golf bags in Omaha to leading 90,000 employees across 143 countries in a global audit organization that generates more than $13 billion in revenue, my journey in the accounting profession has been anything but typical. Yet, as I stand today as global head of audit for KPMG International, I can’t help but wonder: How many potential leaders is the profession missing out on? The accounting profession stands at a crossroads. We need to ensure we have highly skilled professionals, specifically CPAs, to perform high-quality audits and unlock further capabilities that will define the profession in years to come. At the same time, we are also focused on making long-term investments throughout the talent pipeline to attract more people to accounting careers, including opening doors for those who’ve been historically underrepresented. My own story is testament to the transformative power of targeted support for students who will help to expand the profession. Four decades ago, I was just another working-class kid in North Omaha, juggling full-time work with my studies. Like many others from my neighborhood, I was unsure about what the future held. Today, I’m proof that with the right support, anyone can rise to the top of our field. As we navigate this pivotal moment in our profession, one thing is clear: The future of accounting depends on our ability to nurture diverse talent. It’s time to reimagine how we attract, support, and develop the next generation of accountants. Here’s how we can turn a potential crisis into an opportunity for profound, positive change. HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Growing up, my dad worked as a route delivery truck driver and my mom worked in the Omaha Public Schools system. While neither had college degrees, they made sure my siblings and I knew that foregoing a college degree was not an option. But it was clear that none of us could afford to attend school without significant assistance and financial aid. Like many students who come from similar backgrounds, I worked long hours while attending the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), scheduling classes around work schedules and taking advantage of summer school and night classes. While a variety of jobs helped pay for living expenses and other essentials, it was not enough to cover all the costs of attending college. Thankfully, I was fortunate enough to receive assistance from what proved to be a career lifeline, the UNO Goodrich Scholarship Program. A CRITICAL LIFELINE The Goodrich Scholarship Program was established in 1972 by Nebraska Sen. Glen Goodrich to provide tuition assistance to high-achieving, first-generation students from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds. Besides financial benefit, the program also offered robust support services, which I heavily leaned on. I relied on the Goodrich program for mentorship and providing a support system that was remarkable for the young student I was at the time. I developed close relationships with professors who helped me navigate academia and determine next steps, and I even received small, emergency cash advances for books before the check from the annual Pell Grant came in. A unique component of the Goodrich program is it requires students to complete a two-year humanities and social sciences curriculum that emphasizes cultural and intellectual diversity. While unusual for an accounting major, these courses became some of my favorites, providing valuable CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 25 nescpa.org
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