Career development of female chartered accountants in Scotland:marginalization and segregation

Abstract

Women′s participation in the chartered accountancy profession in Scotland has increased considerably in the past 20 years. Reviews the achievements of female chartered accountants in the profession to assess the extent to which women′s careers differ from those of men. The growing literature on gender issues in accountancy points to the marginalization and segregation of women, both historically and at the present time. The results of a questionnaire survey of male and female chartered accountants (response rate = 52 per cent) indicates that such a situation does exist in Scotland, with women achieving less senior positions than men, working in smaller firms and in different areas of work. Women′s job satisfaction diminished when they had children as they felt that they were given less interesting and challenging work and had reduced promotion prospects. They would also like to see greater opportunities for flexible working.