About Us

Seventeen years ago, the Howard University School of Business Center for Accounting Education (CAE) was reestablished under the leadership of Frank Ross, a retired KPMG Managing Partner. Since then, it has flourished into one of the premier leadership programs in the nation. CAE has become a leading national resource center for the accounting profession. CAE provides effective, results-driven programs; profession-wide collaboration; action oriented and focused research. We offer a program for every career step – from attracting African American students into the profession to developing future African American leaders. During our 16-year history, more than 3,500 students and young professionals have benefitted from the myriad of leadership sessions CAE has developed with the assistance of a group of stakeholders representing the major accounting firms in the nation.

CAE conducts and publishes academic research into the challenges of attracting, advancing, and retaining African Americans in accounting and uses these findings to develop meaningful,
effective programs to help the profession achieve its diversity goals. Profession-wide collaboration is accomplished through our constant exchange of ideas from the international, regional, minority-owned accounting firms, state societies and AICPA working together – most of whom are CAE stakeholders. With financial support from this group of stakeholders, CAE has been able to launch leadership programs, seminars, and research studies. Each one of these initiatives is designed to increase the number of African Americans successfully advancing through the ranks of the accounting profession.

Our flagship program – We’re About Success! – was the very first leadership skills development program developed by CAE in 2004 and launched in June 2005. Because of the unique challenges young African Americans face when entering the accounting profession, this program offers sessions that will prepare them to successfully confront the rigors of the industry. Our goal is to increase the confidence of young accountants to competently compete and help develop the groundwork they need to maneuver to the top ranks of their firms.

CAE recognizes that the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation represents the pinnacle of the accounting profession. Program participants are encouraged to take and pass the CPA exam early in their career as well as obtain the other professional credentials needed to advance in their specific practice area.