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According to the Career Benchmarking Survey from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and financial recruitment consultancy Robert Half Finance & Accounting, 65 per cent of female Chartered Accountants (ACAs) in business felt that flexible working hours, either informal or formal, were an important factor when determining job satisfaction compared to only 39 of men.

With the number of newly qualified women rising rapidly, up from one-third of the total (32 per cent) in the year 2000 to nearly half in 2007 (55 per cent male; 45 per cent female), the issue of flexibility is expected to become more significant in the future.

Childcare 

Employers’ approaches in meeting the ‘family-friendly’ demands of ACAs in business varied. 69 per cent of those ACAs surveyed have a fixed benefits package with 9 per cent having childcare as part of that package. In contrast, the 20 per cent of those who had a menu of benefits to select from, half (50 per cent) had the option to choose childcare or help with childcare. 53 per cent of ACAs with family have taken it up as a benefit.

Adaptability around holidays was also important. Of those ACAs in business on flexible benefit schemes, 13 per cent had taken an extra 3 to 5 days holiday. Although businesses were largely deemed adequate in this area, 13 per cent of members surveyed had discounted a new job opportunity because they were not happy with the potential new employer’s policy on flexible working.

Talent pool 

Michael Izza, Chief Executive of the ICAEW, said: “The number of newly qualified women is rising rapidly and businesses on the whole do seem to be meeting the needs of our members with some degree of flexibility. It is a subject that will continue to dominate UK business for some time and it will be interesting to see if flexible working will become a bigger issue to men.”

Phil Sheridan, Managing Director of Robert Half Finance & Accounting, said: “In today’s skilled candidate short market it is imperative that employers look carefully at the benefit packages they offer their staff, whether male or female, to ensure they do not lose this valuable talent pool. Flexible working benefits optimise productivity levels and ultimately lead to greater employee satisfaction and retention.”

Flexible working when determining job satisfaction was most important to those working in Central or Local Government (59 per cent) whereas only 33 per cent in Construction, Property and Real Estate thought that it was an important factor. In reality, according to the results, both sectors seem to be meeting these needs.

Overall, three-quarters of ACAs in business (76 per cent) were ‘satisfied’ with the extent to which their current work schedule allows sufficient flexibility to meet personal and family needs. Those who did not have children or whose children were older still wanted to work flexibly.

The Career Benchmarking Survey interviewed over 3,000 member of the ICAEW who work in business.

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Related links

• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
• Robert Half UK