Accounting for Each Other: Inside Pride in Numbers
written by Richard Roppa-Roberts (he/him), Rebeccah Johnson (she/her), and Brian Streig (he him)
Accounting for Each Other
Accountants are brilliant. They can make numbers behave in ways the rest of us only dream about. But let’s be honest: spreadsheets don’t always provide community (no matter how fabulous the conditional formatting).
What We’re Building
Pride in Numbers isn’t just another group with rainbow branding slapped on top. It’s a roundtable where LGBTQIA+ accountants and allies show up together — authentically, equally, and ready to grow.
The magic here is that nobody arrives with all the answers. We’re all learning — about ourselves, about each other, and about how to build a profession where belonging isn’t the exception, it’s the norm. Queer members bring lived experiences. Allies bring perspective and support. And when you put that together, you get something stronger than either could create alone.
We’re here to build belonging, visibility, and professional power. That means things like:
- The tagline. After some spirited debate (and a few eye rolls), “Accounting for each other” rose to the top. It’s simple, it’s true, and it says everything we mean about community.
- Spotlights. We’re going to highlight member stories — the ways queerness has shaped their careers, their leadership, and their client relationships. The victories, the struggles, the humor. Because storytelling is glue.
- Resources. We’re not just here to talk. We’re building tools: tackling discrimination, addressing mental health, and inviting experts like Gay Lawyer and other business and training experts who get it.
- Visibility. Conference pins are on the way. Because sometimes all it takes is a small signal to know you’re not alone in a room.
Why This Counts
Accounting is about making sense of numbers.
Queerness is about making sense of yourself.
Both require courage, clarity, and community.
It’s a place where identity and profession don’t have to live in separate boxes.
When We Meet
- 🗓️ Third Wednesday of every month
- 🕞 1:30 – 3 PM Pacific / 4:30 – 5 Eastern
There is no cost to join Pride in Numbers. We don’t record meetings.
Cameras on, mics on, and no recordings — ever. We’re not a webinar, we’re a community. We talk. We celebrate. We cry. We figure things out. All of it.
The People Who Sparked It
Pride in Numbers was sparked by four humans — queer, loud, opinionated, and determined.
We knew the profession needed “something more.” And as for which one of us was which… well, you’ll just have to guess.
- Rebeccah Johnson – Firm leader and outspoken advocate for belonging and inclusion in the profession.
- Brian Streig, CPA – Tax Director, Italian food enthusiast, and part-time mountain dweller.
- Richard Roppa-Roberts – Business coach, community strategist, founder of Roundtable Labs, and eternal believer in accountants being stronger together.
- Dave Kersting, MBA – Founder of Capovario and a proud voice representing members across the US.
But let’s be honest…it isn’t about us. It’s about the members. All of us, and what we create collectively.
People who keep showing up, sharing their stories, and being just a little uncomfortable in service of something bigger. That’s the heartbeat of this community.
Join Us
If you’re an LGBTQIA+ accountant, tax pro, accounting adjacent, or an ally who believes community is just as essential as compliance, you belong here.
Pride In Numbers is a Roundtable where you can bring your whole self, learn from others, share with others, and laugh while doing it.
We don’t do slide presentations… like, ever. Who needs another slide deck crammed with words someone just reads out loud? Not us.
At the end of the day, the numbers matter — but the people matter more. That’s why we’re accounting for each other.
