The Minority Interest: Women Who Succeed in the Accountancy Profession Book

In 1918, there were no women Chartered Accountants. By 1980, women represented 1.5% of the total membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, and in 2009, the figure had increased dramatically to 30%. This book recounts the struggle to gain access to the profession in the early years of the 20th Century. In spite of the fact that women have now achieved equal access and represent 50% of the student intake, they are very poorly represented at the top of the profession. Whilst other studies have told of the difficulties and obstacles women have experienced in breaching the glass ceiling, this book, having looked at the campaign for admission, focuses on success stories. It reports the results of a study conducted with women who have succeeded in attaining partnership in Big Four firms and draws lessons from their stories. It will be of interest to women considering a career in accountancy, their advisors, parents and mentors. It is also essential reading for women and men already in the profession and for the firms who employ them and hope to retain them.Read More