Accenture Shatters Glass Ceiling: Women Lead the Way

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Accenture, a global professional services company, has announced the retirement of its CFO, KC McClure, after 36 years with the firm. McClure will step down from his role on November 30 and officially retire on March 31. He will be succeeded by Angie Park, who will assume the CFO duties on December 1.

Park has spent nearly three decades at Accenture, currently leading the company’s business and commercial finance division. She previously served as CFO for Accenture Technology Services and led investor relations for six years, playing a key role in financial strategy and communications.

The appointment of Park as CFO marks a significant milestone for Accenture, as it maintains its unique leadership dynamic with both the CEO and CFO being women. This is an incredibly rare occurrence, especially among large companies. An analysis by Russell Reynolds Associates found that among S&P 500 companies, only 2.2% have both a female CEO and female CFO. In contrast, about 74% of S&P 500 firms have men in both roles.

Accenture’s CEO, Julie Sweet, and McClure have been a dynamic duo, working together to drive the company’s success. During a Fortune CFO Collaborative event in 2021, they discussed their partnership, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and open communication. Sweet highlighted McClure’s business leadership skills, stating that he is a “business leader first” who epitomizes the company’s values.

McClure added that having a strong partnership with the CEO is crucial, enabling candid conversations and a deep understanding of each other’s perspectives. This partnership has been instrumental in Accenture’s success, and Park will now continue to build on this legacy.

As Accenture’s next CFO, Park will focus on helping the company use AI to improve operations, achieve growth, and become more resilient. McClure has been in the unique position of assisting clients in implementing technology while also using it internally, and Park will continue this work.

The appointment of Park as CFO is a significant step forward for Accenture, maintaining its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The company’s leadership dynamic is a testament to the importance of having women in top roles, and Park’s appointment will undoubtedly continue to drive the company’s success.