Breaking Barriers and Building Legacies: The Journey of George Johnson & Company from Detroit’s First Black-Owned CPA Firm to a Midwest Powerhouse

Photo: Richard H. Austin, founder of first Black CPA firm in Michigan and the first African-American Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Michigan and the 11th in the entire United States The accounting profession in the United States is predominantly white, with this demographic representing 84 percent of all Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). In contrast, Black professionals constitute a mere two percent of the CPA population, as highlighted in a 2019 report by the Association of International Certified Public Accountants. As in most instances, the lack of representation is not taboo nor is it a new finding. The truth of the matter is that it’s far too common especially in fields that propels the future of Black people such as financial institutions. In 1921, John W. Crowell, Jr. marked a significant milestone as the first Black Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the United States, establishing his practice in Washington, D.C. Despite this breakthrough, the accounting profession has been marred by persistent barriers that disproportionately affect Black accountants. Research from the Journal of Accountancy indicates that before 1969, a mere fraction, less than 0.15%, of all American CPAs were Black. The profession is challenged by deep-seated stereotypes, prejudiced assumptions, and exclusionary practices...