Careers for Women In Accounting

Progress is being made in improving employers' attitudes toward women accountants. A few years ago, most organizations did not actively recruit women accountants. Recently, however, accounting firms have become aware of the increasing number of women accounting graduates and are sending women recruiters to college campuses to recruit prospective women applicants. To analyze the progress in employment opportunities available to women during the past five years, a follow‐up of a survey was conducted. Chi‐square contingency tests were used to analyze some of the results. The survey showed that most accounting firms are either actively trying to solve the problem of discrimination or are at least interested in seeking solutions. Some companies indicated that they would hire more women college graduates if they were qualified accountants. Women need better career planning and counseling. They should be encouraged to study job market forecasts in view of their personal abilities and goals. Many women either have not been aware of job opportunities in accounting or have been interested in the field but discouraged by the attitudes of parents, professors, or guidance counselors, or overt discrimination by employers. In the past, such attitudes may have caused many capable women to select the more traditional “feminine” professions instead.