Prospects for the advancement of Women Chartered Accountants in Public Accounting firms in South Africa

Abstract

Female chartered accountants comprise a small minority of the accounting profession in South Africa, although dramatic increases in their numbers have occurred in recent years. The personnel partners of a selection of public accounting firms were surveyed about their employment practices and promotion opportunities relating to female chartered accountants. The resuits of the survey indicated that female have a part to play in the profession and that the demand for their services should continue to grow, although some partners did express reservations as to the suitability of female for more senior positions. Although only eight of the firms had admitted female as partners, the majority of the personnel partners felt that the prospects for female in the profession were quite bright and that there were no factors operating against their promotion to senior levels.