What is Holding Women Back?

Source: CPA Practice Management Forum

Few leaders of accounting firms have identified the obstacles to advancement for women. To find out why, a focus group of women managers, senior managers, and partners of an international accounting firm was conducted by the author of this article, Jan Torrisi-Mokwa, president of Congruence, a management consulting firm in St. Louis.

Eighty percent of the group was tentative about the prospect of staying with the firm or becoming partners. Obstacles cited included their inability to play golf, and the apparent impropriety of having dinner with a male client. They focused on the burdens of partnership rather than the positives.

An article in Harvard Business Review, “Do Women Lack Ambition?” by Dr. Ana Fels, says women must learn why they are inclined to abandon the path towards realizing their potential.

Here are three strategies for firm leaders to help women achieve their potential in the firm: 

1. Mentoring activities must focus on the long term. Women should be encouraged to articulate the visions they created for themselves when they started their careers.
2. Although the sense of teamwork inhibits leaders from publicizing the achievements of one person, recognition for achievement is crucial. Women are less likely to publicly promote themselves than men.
3. Provide women with assistance in developing networks for promoting new client relationships. Most clients are male. Women must focus on adding value rather than on golf and dinner. Consider a firm sponsored group of women clients and prospects with structured events and outside speakers.

From CPA Practice Management Forum, CCH Incorporated, 800-449-8114, October 2005, p.10.