Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs may be disappearing from headlines, but that doesn’t mean the work is disappearing from accounting firms.

Accounting Today reports that with political pressure mounting—especially after executive orders from the Trump administration—firms like Deloitte and KPMG are scaling back public-facing DEI initiatives.

Deloitte reportedly ended its programs and removed gender pronouns from email signatures. KPMG stopped releasing annual diversity transparency reports. But beneath the surface, DEI is shifting into a quieter, more cautious mode. 

Industry leaders suggest many firms are still doing the work—they’re just not broadcasting it. As AICPA’s Crystal Cooke told Accounting Today, “Organizations probably can’t really boast about what they are doing anymore.”

However, if employees feel supported and DEI efforts are still woven into workplace practices, the goals are still being met.

Etienne Consulting CEO Jina Etienne argues that the DEI acronym has been politicized, misinterpreted and, in many cases, misunderstood. Firms may be dropping the label, but they’re often replacing it with terms like “belonging” and “well-being” to keep initiatives alive under less scrutiny. 

And there’s reason to persist: DEI strengthens the pipeline, improves retention and boosts profitability, she said, In a talent-strapped industry like accounting, that’s not just a moral argument—it’s a business imperative. In Etienne’s view, the shift to stealth might be a blessing in disguise: “We can stop patting ourselves on the back… and we can do the work.”