This month’s edition of Accountancy features an article by Raphael Mokades, Rare’s Managing Director, on why so few black students are attracted to a career in accountancy. Accountancy acts as the official journal of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW). Raph notes that ‘in the class of students graduating in 2011, just 11% of the black students on Rare’s books are interested in accountancy’. This trend is largely down to black students lacking exposure to the industry.

Raph writes that ‘because there are relatively few black accountants, very few black students have someone in their extended family they can look up to, and whose path they can seek to follow’. Conversely, many of the black candidates that do go into the profession do so after – sometimes fortuitously – gaining exposure and then realising the benefits of a career in the field. For example, one candidate applied to a Big Four firm after having the chance to meet with a partner there.

To view the full article click here.