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Accounting

More level playing field for women in accountancy

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

A new survey has suggested that more firms within the accountancy profession are recognising the need to retain talent, leading to a more level playing field for women.

According to a snapshot survey of 121 female accountants conducted on behalf of financial recruiter Elements, over two thirds believe that they have the same career opportunities as their male counterparts.

The great majority of these respondents felt that there are not only more women entering the profession than ever before, but that work life balance is an issue for both genders – not just women.

Specifically, 68 per cent rated their general promotional prospects as equal to a man while almost two thirds felt that their overall reward package was likely to be the same as that enjoyed by a male colleague performing the same duties.

Specific benefits

The survey did find, however, that senior female finance professionals felt that they have had to work harder to achieve their current position. Seventy per cent of respondents identified family commitments as an obstacle to climbing the career ladder.

A substantial number of respondents felt that specific benefits should be introduced into salary packages to recognise problems or challenges unique to women. Forty-two per cent advocated a wider introduction of formal career breaks to allow for pregnancy and the bringing up of young children.

Forty-four per cent called for flexible hours to fit in with family commitments, while 34 per cent would like to see improved assistance from firms regarding childcare in the form of either in house or sponsored nurseries.

Just over a third of the sample remained sceptical, however, about whether these measures would have any real effect on career opportunities. As one respondent put it, “This is a very well-rewarded and consequently a very competitive profession. If you’re not prepared to make sacrifices, you can’t expect to reap the benefits”.

Importance of retaining talent

Paul Bibby, chief executive of Elements said, “We have found that clients are much more concerned about recruiting the best talent. In my experience, the issue of gender just doesn’t arise. The majority of firms we deal with are very meritocratic in their approach.”

Female accountants appear optimistic about the future, with over half of the sample expecting an improvement in equal opportunities over the next five years. Reasons cited for this included general changes of opinion in society, a more merit based approach to promotion as firms recognise the importance of retaining talent and the influence of a growing number of women in senior positions in business.

“We’re rapidly moving towards a situation where both men and women have an equal desire to create an environment where there is time for both work and family,” commented one respondent.

Another pointed out, “Female accountancy students make up half of new entrants into the accountancy profession – that has to spell good news for the future.”

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