The Bonadio Group Named a Best CPA Firm for Women and Equity Leadership by The Accounting & Financial Women's Alliance

Rochester, N.Y., October 19, 2021 – For the sixth consecutive year, The Bonadio Group has made both the 2021 Accounting MOVE Project lists of Best Firms for Equity Leadership and Best CPA Firms for Women by the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA). The firm was commended for maintaining its focus on advancing women with nearly 40 percent women partners and principals.

“This recognition is so meaningful as it reflects our commitment to leadership advancement for women in our firm across all levels,” said Bruce Zicari, CEO, The Bonadio Group. “We are committed to making our firm a place to foster professional development and we are proud to embody what it means to have a diverse and equitable environment.”

The firm also excels at pay equity accountability, requiring all hiring managers to confirm that compensation aligns with the company’s equity policies. The firm’s overall dedication to equity is in line with the goals of their Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which is committed to creating an inclusive work environment and providing an atmosphere that allows people to achieve their greatest potential.

“We’re proud to have once again earned this recognition, which highlights our firm’s dedication and commitment to improving overall diversity and gender equity,” said Kristen Clark, Managing Partner of The Bonadio Group’s Syracuse Office and member of the firm’s Management Committee. “We are proud of the progress we have made with increasing the percentage of women leaders over the past year, but we know the work is not done yet. The Bonadio Group is committed to implementing initiatives that drive growth and success among all our people, including customized performance management, training and development, employee recognition and more.”

According to the findings of the 2021 Accounting MOVE Project report, women comprise 32 percent of partners and principals at the firms that participate in the Accounting MOVE Project, up from 29 percent in 2020. Women continue to be just over half of total firm employees, at 55 percent.

“The findings of this year’s report reveal that in spite of overwhelming uncertainty and change in the workforce that collaboration, diverse perspectives, and the ability to embrace change has given women leverage in creating new opportunities in a challenging professional landscape,” said Cindy Stanley, executive director for the AFWA, the association partner for the Accounting MOVE Project. “Firms realized that by providing the opportunity for women to work in a remote and hybrid work environment that they were able to cultivate a diverse and expanding pool of talented professionals.”

The Accounting MOVE Project is the only annual benchmarking project for women in the profession that showcases innovations that propel women to success and inform firm leaders about related strategies for overall diversity initiatives. The Accounting MOVE Project is based on the “MOVE” methodology developed by research partner Wilson-Taylor Associates, Inc., which looks at the factors proven to be essential to women’s career success:

M – Money: fair pay practices

O – Opportunity: advancement and leadership development

V – Vital supports: work-life programs that remove barriers

E – Entrepreneurship: operating experience for managing or business ownership.

The Best CPA Firms for Women are awarded based on both continual innovation in programs and continual progress in advancing women. Those named to the Best Firms for Equity Leadership list have 30 percent women partners and principals – that being the tipping point for members of any single identity group to be heard as individuals, as indicated by copious research. The Equity Leadership list recognizes firms that have achieved this key threshold for gender equity through some combination of culture, growth, and programs.

About The Bonadio Group
Founded in 1978, The Bonadio Group is a nationally ranked Top 50 CPA firm offering accounting, tax, and consulting services to clients of all sizes. The Firm’s professionals deliver practical, proactive, and innovative solutions to help clients reach their financial, compliance, management, and personal goals. The Bonadio Group is the largest independent provider of accounting, tax, and consulting services in upstate New York—with offices in Albany, Batavia, Buffalo, East Aurora, Rochester, Syracuse, and Utica. The Bonadio Group also has offices in New York City, Rutland, Vt., and Dallas. For more information, visit www.bonadio.com.

About The Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance

The Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance promotes the professional growth of women in accounting and finance. Members of the association benefit from opportunities to connect with colleagues, advance their careers, and become industry leaders. For 80 years, the organization has proudly upheld its mission to enable women in all accounting and related fields to achieve their full potential and to contribute to their profession. Visit www.afwa.org for more information.