You’ve got to be kidding me!” would have been my immediate reaction if someone told me I’d become the CEO and managing partner of the largest public accounting firm based in Los Angeles. When I began my career in the ‘80s, I didn’t think I fit the mold of a typical public accounting professional. I am an immigrant and refugee. I speak with an accent. I’m Armenian. The conventional ways of building business relationships and dealmaking were foreign to me, which made me feel like an outsider. Unfortunately, this isn’t an unusual experience for people from underrepresented communities—even today.
My family immigrated to America from war-torn Lebanon in the ‘70s. Our escape was perilous and terrifying. Under the cover of night, we boarded a small boat with 80 other refugees that took us across the Mediterranean Sea to safety in Cyprus. I looked forward to starting anew in America, but I’m not sure I fully understood the new challenges I would face as a non-English speaking, pre-teen, immigrant. Fitting in with my peers wasn’t easy
because I didn’t understand the culture and their figures of speech. It was a lonely time.
Fortunately, my parents encouraged and instilled a strong work ethic in me. They told me that if I worked hard, I could achieve anything. They were right. In addition to my parents, I was fortunate to receive guidance and advice from amazing mentors throughout my career. These mentors motivated me, answered my endless questions, took me to meetings, and valued my contributions. These experiences taught me the importance of empathy and trying to understand everyone’s personal story. As a leader, I prioritize inclusiveness. Each of us has something unique and valuable to contribute and I am passionate about revealing these talents in others and empowering them to succeed.
The founders and partners of HCVT recognized the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion long before DEI programs became the norm in organizations across the country. It’s one of the reasons I joined the firm 20 years ago. HCVT’s culture of valuing character and contributions allowed me, along with my unique background and unconventional experiences, to be appointed CEO and Managing Partner in 2023. This approach also extends to our strategy of doing what’s right for our people and clients.
We launched the HCVT DEI program four years ago. Audit Partner Rosario Bobadilla Farias and Tax Partner Atikah Bholat lead the HCVT DEI initiative and are supported by senior leadership and firm professionals. Advancing DEI principles in our firm and our communities allows us to listen, learn, and be agents of change.
Our DEI strategy extends to our recruiting efforts where we partner with organizations and educational institutions to reach candidates from underrepresented communities in public accounting. We partner with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, the Cal State University campuses of Long Beach and Northridge, and community colleges in LA County to reach candidates who may not have considered a career in public accounting. Community college students, in particular, have a wealth of talent often overlooked in our industry. In fact, I began my undergraduate studies at Pasadena City College before transferring to USC where I completed my degree. HCVT established a scholarship and mentorship program at Cerritos College to show our commitment to advancing our efforts.
Our DEI strategy also helps the firm to engage and learn from each other. We host regular, internal firmwide discussion group events where everyone is invited to explore and discuss topics like implicit bias, how to celebrate diversity, and finding common ground amidst our differences. In addition, HCVT observes heritage months to raise awareness and educate. We also utilize formal research by conducting surveys and holding focus group meetings to identify opportunities for improvement and monitor our progress against our stated goals.
DEI faces strong headwinds today, but I can’t think of anything more congruous with American principles than diversity, equity, and inclusion. America’s rich diversity is one of the elements that make it unique. The DEI landscape is shifting, but our firm’s commitment to fostering understanding and inclusion among our people is unwavering. Vicken M. Haleblian is the CEO and managing partner of HCVT, LLP. Learn more at hcvt.com.
