BDO USA Earns Top Score in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index

CHICAGO, December 6, 2023 – BDO USA, one of the nation’s leading accounting and advisory firms, has achieved a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. The firm joins the ranks of 545 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.

BDO USA’s efforts in satisfying the CEI’s criteria earned the firm a score of 100 and the designation as recipient of the Equality 100 Award: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion.

"Inclusion and belonging are at the center of our culture and inform the relationships we build with our clients and communities. The most impactful action we can take as a firm is to provide our people with the support and resources they need to thrive,” said BDO USA People and Culture Principal and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Bernie Pieters. “We are honored to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and are committed to upholding an equitable and inclusive workplace."

The results of the 2023-2024 CEI showcase how U.S.-based companies are promoting LGBTQ+-friendly workplace policies in the U.S. and abroad. The first year of the CEI included 319 participants and now includes 1,384 publicly and privately held mid- to large-sized businesses. Further demonstrating the tremendous trajectory of the CEI, a record-breaking 1,340 organizations have non-discrimination protections specific to gender identity, up from just 17 in 2002. These critical non-discrimination protections cover 21 million U.S. workers and an additional 18 million around the globe.

“For well over two decades, businesses have played an important role in furthering LGBTQ+ equality by centering employee needs and voices when it comes to workplace inclusion,” said RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, Human Rights Campaign Sr. Director of Workplace Equality. “While there is much more work to be done, year-over-year growth in CEI participation is evidence of a business community that recognizes the responsibility and value in upholding equity and inclusion. 

The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars:

• Non-discrimination policies across business entities;
• Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families;
• Supporting an inclusive culture; and,
• Corporate social responsibility.

The full report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.

About BDO USA

At BDO, our purpose is helping people thrive, every day. Together, we are focused on delivering exceptional and sustainable outcomes for our people, our clients and our communities. Across the U.S., and in over 160 countries through our global organization, BDO professionals provide assurance, tax and advisory services for a diverse range of clients.

BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms. BDO USA, P.C., a Virginia professional corporation, is the U.S. member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. For more information, please visit: www.bdo.com.

About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.