September 02, 2019
Acctg.160 Synthesis
A Synthesis of Research Studies Concerning the Upward Mobility of Women in
Public Accounting
By: Faith L. Estrada, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy Student, 5 th Year
INTRODUCTION
Women are entering the public accounting profession in increasing numbers each year
(McCabe, 2015). Historically, Public accounting used to be a completely male
dominated profession along with mostly any other business field and related companies
(Scandura, 1993). This dominance has left little room for women in the various levels of
management, even if more women are becoming part of the business world. As more
women became educated, more women are entering the accounting profession. At a
time when women comprise the majority of entry level personnel and market
imperatives suggest that it is critical for firms to retain their experienced personnel,
Hooks and Cheramy (1994) determined that gender-related turnover differences are
most prevalent in the senior-supervisor and manager ranks of the larger CPA firms. It
appears that attracting and retaining the brightest women is one of the key challenges
facing public accounting firms.
BODY
The prospects for women in the field of accounting are not brilliant. In public
accounting it must be admitted with regret that the woman who succeeds is the rare
exception (Richardson, 1923). Over the past years this observation rings true, but this
fact has been break over years.
The number of women that entered the public accounting profession has
increased dramatically. Because of this substantial increase, a lot of issues have risen
with regards to the profession. The Future Issues Committee of the AICPA selected
major issues concerning the profession. According to the committee’s report, many
accountants believe that upward mobility in public accounting is more difficult for women
than for men. Women have not been successful in advancing in public accounting. In
response to the need for a collaborative action, the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants (AICPA) has identified the upward mobility of women in public accounting
as one of the major issues facing the profession. To address this issue, the AICPA
established a special committee, the Upward Mobility of Women Committee to identify
reasons for the lack of advancement of women CPA’s and recommending actions to be
taken in order to eliminate this obstacle.
Several factors impact the advancement of women CPA’s. One of it is stress. The
effects of stress from both inside and outside the firm may cause to encourage women
to leave the profession and find other job opportunity (AICPA 1988).
CONCLUSION
The statements above have given an in-depth insight on the Upward Mobility of Women
Committee’s great role in assessing the upward mobility of women in public accounting.
It really helps lessen the obstacles that most women are experiencing in the profession.
As we can observe nowadays, women can now participate in the upper level
management.
SOURCES:
A.P. Richardson, “women in Accountancy”, Journal of Accountancy, 1923
K.M. Collins, “Stress and Departure from the Public Accoun
ting profession”,1993
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