Gender Equity in Accounting: How the CPA Profession is Balancing the Numbers

This month an article I wrote with the talented Sarah Elliott has been published by Wiley. Over 12 pages we detail best practices by firms of all sizes, from sole-practitioner to Big-4. We review what they do and how they do it to create a successful environment for women in the profession. Here is the abstract:

Ripe with opportunities for growth, the accounting profession is struggling to identify leaders to fill the shoes of its retiring baby boomers. Although more diverse organizations typically outperform their peers and certified public accounting (CPA) firms hire approximately equal numbers of men and women, men hold more than three-quarters of these firms’ leadership positions. Achieving gender equity in the profession’s top ranks is challenging, particularly since organizational leaders tend to groom individuals who mirror themselves. CPA firms that utilize a conscious strategy to retain and develop female professionals, however, are beginning to balance the numbers. Their experiences offer valuable lessons for leaders of any organization striving for sustainable succession planning.

If you’d like to read a copy of the full article, please email me directly.