Diversity at a Crossroads: A Study of Public Company Audit Partners

Abstract

In light of recent pushback against DEI initiatives, this study benchmarks diversity among public company audit partners prior to a potential inflection point. Using PCAOB AuditorSearch data from 2019 and 2023, we find that in 2023, 68% of SEC audit partners were white males, 21% white females, and 11% from racial or ethnic minority groups. SEC engagements are among the most prestigious and lucrative in public accounting. Our findings reveal a modest increase in partner diversity since 2019 and aim to inform discussions on current levels and trajectories along with the impact of DEI policy changes in the accounting profession.