A Deloitte Audit professional lifts as she climbs—and teaches math, too

Clarencia Taylor joined Deloitte & Touche LLP’s Audit & Assurance business right out of college, and she now serves as a senior manager. “I’ve always loved numbers, and I also love researching and getting into the details of things, which is just one of the things that we do in Audit,” she says. “I think it is the perfect place for my skills.”

A graduate of a historically black college, Clarencia says she didn’t know many fellow HBCU alumni colleagues when she joined Deloitte in 2015. “I was missing that shared experience of someone with similar backgrounds,” she says. As Deloitte began to develop the HBCU Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program, which offers select students from HBCUs first-hand exposure to the professional services industry as well as opportunities to be considered for scholarships, Clarencia felt she wanted to pitch in and support people who may be on a similar path to hers. “This has been so rewarding for me,” she says. “One of my first mentees is a professional in Deloitte’s Audit & Assurance business now.” With participants in the leadership program, Clarencia feels she is able to broadcast a clearer message of support. “I tell them that they are valued,” she says. “Before they even set foot in the door, I want to help them feel that they’re in the program for a reason, and I’m here to help support them.”

Clarencia also is involved with the Make Accounting Diverse and Equitable (MADE) commitment, in which she works with high-school and college students to help them understand the value and opportunities they might find in accounting. “These students often find value in meeting people who might share similar backgrounds, and who also chose accounting,” she says. “Accounting changed everything for me, and I’m working to help them see that no matter where they come from, accounting might change their lives for the better too.” Outside her work with Deloitte, Clarencia still emphasizes the importance of accounting – but with the Girl Scouts troop she helps lead. “When it’s cookie selling time, they need to know their multiplication tables. How much does three boxes of cookies cost?,” she laughs.

For her work building community and paths forward, Clarencia is the recipient of the 2024 Michelle Go Inclusive Leadership award, given to Deloitte professionals who work to help create environments of inclusion and belonging where professionals can bring their authentic self and leadership to Deloitte. “My life has been beautiful, and it’s in part because of the people who helped me,” she says. “Just as people have helped me, I feel it is important that I help support the next generation.”

To learn more about Clarencia’s story, check out her profile on Life at Deloitte.