Race Equality Week: Interview With The World's Fastest Accountant
07 Jan, 20251-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- How to challenge inequality in the accountancy sector.
- The different ways the accountancy industry can address and embrace diversity.
- How to find and apply for the best accountancy jobs
This Race Equality Week, we wanted to draw attention to the achievements of individuals who have championed racial equality, and are passionate about creating and improving opportunities for a more diverse and inclusive accountancy sector.
Senior Management Accountant Eugene Amo-Dadzie is passionate about breaking barriers, inspiring change and celebrating diversity in the accountancy profession. He is an ACA qualified Chartered Accountant with over a decade of experience. He is also a British 100 metre sprinter which has dubbed him with the title for the ‘World's Fastest Accountant!’
According to Reboot, over two thirds of employees said that their company’s current ethnic and racial diversity efforts have not changed or have declined compared to two years ago, and 44% said they felt pressure not to advocate for ethnic and racial equality in the workplace.
In 2018, Eugene was the first Black person to qualify as an Accountant at his then employer and is a Black Members Community Ambassador.
In this interview, Eugene discussed how to challenge inequality and the ways that a culturally diverse workforce is a more productive and ultimately more successful workforce.
Can you tell me about your journey in the accounting profession?
My journey in the accounting profession has been one of resilience and self-discovery. Entering the accountancy sector was initially about curiosity and ambition. Numbers and strategy had always fascinated me and I’d taken an aptitude test in secondary school which suggested I’d be suited to a career in accounting.
However I was shocked to learn I was the first black person to qualify as an Accountant at my then employer back in 2018. That milestone was humbling but also revealing and it showed how far we still have to go in ensuring that professions like accounting reflect the diversity of our society. My journey has been fueled by a passion for challenging norms, breaking barriers, and paving the way for others to enter and thrive in this industry.
What is the best part about working as a Senior Management Accountant?
The best part is the opportunity to align strategy with impact. As a Senior Management Accountant, I help shape decisions that drive the success of the business, but I also see how those decisions affect our customers and the wider communities my company serves. It’s about balancing numbers with people, a delicate but rewarding challenge!
The 2025 theme for Race Equality Week is ‘Every Action Counts.’ What does that mean to you?
To me, ‘Every Action Counts’ is about the cumulative power of small, consistent efforts. Whether it’s amplifying the voices of underrepresented colleagues, diversifying recruitment pipelines, or simply listening and learning, these actions add up to meaningful change. It’s a reminder that no action is too small if it contributes to a fairer, more inclusive workplace.
What challenges or obstacles have you faced as a black man in the accountancy and finance sector, and how did you overcome them?
One significant challenge was feeling the need to downplay aspects of my identity to fit in. For years, I didn’t feel I could bring my whole self to work. That changed when my current employer recognised and supported my passion for athletics outside of work which unlocked a greater desire from my side to open up and almost repay that faith and made my employer a key partner in my journey.
Their interest in my personal life gave me the confidence to open up, and it’s been transformative for both my career and personal growth. It's been a mutually beneficial relationship since which has transcended the idea of simply clocking in and out and waiting to get paid.
What role does athletics play in helping you feel more comfortable and confident in yourself and your work?
Athletics has been a game-changer for my confidence and mental clarity. As a sprinter, I’ve learnt the value of discipline, persistence, and embracing failure as a stepping stone. My employer’s support of my passion for athletics created a partnership that allowed me to bring my whole self to work. This mutual respect unlocked a deeper level of trust and productivity in my professional life and has led to me being promoted and favourably moved around the business.
How can leadership get involved to support Race Equality Week?
Leadership involvement starts with visible commitment. Leaders should take the time to listen to diverse voices within their organisations, champion initiatives that promote inclusion, and hold themselves accountable for progress. By leading from the front, they set a tone that resonates throughout the company.
What changes would you like to see to promote inclusivity and diversity in the accountancy sector?
I’d like to see a greater focus on mentorship programmes that connect underrepresented professionals with senior leaders. Transparency in hiring and promotions is also critical, as well as embedding questions in recruitment processes that go beyond skills to understand candidates’ lived experiences.
What are some practical ways companies can ensure their recruitment process values diverse skills and backgrounds?
Companies can start by auditing job descriptions to remove unconscious bias and emphasising transferable skills. Other practical steps include partnering with organisations that specialise in diverse talent and implementing structured, inclusive interview processes. Ultimately, the goal is to look beyond CVs and standardised aptitude tests and see a candidate’s potential.
Incorporating the idea that they incorporate questions or exercises into their recruitment process or work practices that seek to understand who their employees are beyond the office.
How can businesses create more inclusive work spaces?
Inclusive workspaces begin with fostering an environment where employees feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work. This involves creating policies and practices that celebrate diversity, actively addressing bias, and ensuring that inclusion is part of the everyday conversation and not just an annual tick-box exercise.
Diversity brings a richness of perspectives, experiences, and ideas that fuel creativity and innovation. When people from different backgrounds come together, they challenge conventional thinking and uncover solutions that might not emerge otherwise. This synergy is the foundation of a truly successful workforce.
How can businesses move beyond ‘ticking a box’ when it comes to diversity and inclusion?
The motivation should never be driven by ticking a box but enriching the skills at a company's disposal. That comes from hiring people of all races and backgrounds.
Moving beyond ‘ticking a box’ requires genuine intent. Diversity and inclusion should be woven into the fabric of the company’s culture. This means measuring impact not just representation and continuously seeking feedback from employees about what’s working and what’s not.
How can companies foster a workplace culture where employees feel empowered to share their passions and personal stories?
It starts with leadership setting the tone by sharing their own passions and stories. Encouraging open dialogue, creating platforms for employees to showcase their interests, and recognising the value they bring to the workplace can transform the culture into one of mutual respect and authenticity.
What message do you hope to share with others during Race Equality Week?
Progress requires courage and consistency. The fight for race equality isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about the daily actions we take to support, uplift, and include one another. By embracing and addressing diversity, we enrich our workplaces and, ultimately, our society.
What advice would you give to aspiring Accountants and accountancy practices?
To aspiring Accountants: Stay curious and never be afraid to challenge norms.
To accountancy practices: Build pathways for diverse talent and invest in mentorship. Embrace the idea that diversity is not just a metric, it’s the key to innovation, resilience, and long-term success.
Accountant jobs
If you’re searching for your next Accountant job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Struggling to recruit Accountants?
As specialist accountancy recruiters, we support practices nationwide with their permanent recruitment needs.
If you’re struggling to find ACCA, ACA or CIMA qualified Accountants, why not get in touch with Management Consultant Lauren Bailey on 01772 954200 to see how we can help?
Share your experience
Every individual brings a unique set of experiences, thoughts, and insights to the table. We believe in giving a voice to a community of professionals to inspire positive change and champion reform in the Accountancy & Finance sector.
If you work in the Accountancy & Finance sector and would like to share your own personal and professional experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you have a different perspective, could offer a fresh angle, or want to challenge assumptions.
Simply reach out to our Head of Content, Nicole Sherwood, to discuss a collaboration which makes your voice count.
Meet Lauren Bailey
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re a vibrant and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West.
We continually reimagine the recruitment process to challenge convention and defy expectations; from creating a better recruitment experience to remodelling employee engagement, we thrive off doing things differently and turning heads along the way.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
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