ACCOUNTING PROFESSION

Accounting Profession Places Barriers to Progression for Women & Minority Groups: A Critical Evaluation



Abstract

The purpose of this research is to investigate career progression of young female Certified Public Accountants. It focuses on generation X accountants. A total of 12 male and 12 female accountants were interviewed. All were under age of 30 and qualified as within past five years. This research aims to examine: whether young generation of female accountants has encountered “glass ceiling”; if there is the tendency for male dominance in professional accountancy practices or in industry; whether gender affects one's ability to network socially; and ability of young accountants to balance their home and work lives. This study is particularly relevant, as previous research studies conducted with accountants have focused on older generations. The results of study show that young female accountants encounter obstacles in their careers because of their gender. The female accountants in this study suggest that male dominance will persist in accountancy practices. Our findings also suggest that the important challenge for managers today is managing generation Xers, who work to live and do not live to work. Finally, research findings from this study contribute primarily to extant research on women in accountancy profession. Also contributes to corpus of knowledge on women in management, career development, and development and management of generation X.

Table of Contents

ACCOUNTING PROFESSION PLACES BARRIERS TO PROGRESSION FOR WOMEN & MINORITY GROUPS: A CRITICAL EVALUATION4

Introduction4

Background4

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants6

Generation X6

Research methodology7

A cracked glass ceiling?8

Male dominance in accountancy practice versus accountancy in industry11

Does gender affect one's ability to network in accountancy profession?13

Balancing home and work life15

Conclusion18

REFERENCES21

Accounting Profession Places Barriers to Progression for Women & Minority Groups: A Critical Evaluation

Introduction

This paper is the assessment of career progression of young male and female Certified Public Accountants. The paper focuses on the analysis of generation X, i.e. persons born between 1965 and 1981. Conger (1998) describes generation X as people born and raised in information age, who work hard, have little loyalty to the company and who prioritise high income and family/personal lives. In particular, paper explores whether female participants in study have experienced barriers in their career progressions which are gender related, and attempts to relate such career patterns to nature of governance of organizations reported in study. This study is especially relevant, as previous research studies conducted with accountants have focused on older generations, and addition of the generation X sample extends our knowledge about this increasingly influential segment of workforce.

Background

Westcott and Seiler (1986) observed that women have been accepted into accountancy profession in all industrialised countries. Their technical qualifications are apparent but the number of questions remain concerning their ability to perform demanding tasks required for success in profession. Westcott and Seiler's (1986) research reported that last remaining barrier to advancement of women accountants in most western countries appears to be resistance of established male power structures within accounting profession. Research studies which have been conducted on career progression of female accountants suggest that societal factors can militate against progression ...