Women accountancy careers : a forty year path

Abstract

Purpose: This research aims to evaluate the prevalent factors which cause women to depart from the accountancy profession and determine which measures could encourage women to remain in the accountancy profession.

Design: The author adopted an exploratory mono-method qualitative approach. Semistructured interviews were carried out with female CPAs who left the accountancy profession for other career paths.

Findings: The main factors affecting women to leave the accountancy profession include long working hours, family responsibilities, stress and routine work. However, all of the interviewees highlighted that the decision to depart from the profession was an altogether of factors. Flexibility in working hours and/or working remotely was considered to be a significant measure for women to maintain a balanced lifestyle and have a positive well-being. Other initiatives included the extension to the free childcare scheme offered by government and ensuring equal family-friendly measures for both parents.

Conclusion: Whilst the shortage of accountants continues to persist, alternative initiatives could be implemented by employers and government in order to retain women within the accountancy profession.

Value: This gave a wide overview of the situation, together with a number of recommendations. This study is of value to accountancy firms in order to reduce female CPA turnover costs, to authorities in supporting women in employment and to the accountancy profession in general.