The Women’s Executive Committee of the Illinois CPA Society surveyed 76 Illinois CPA firms on the role of women. The surveyed firms had 15 or more professionals. There was a 78 percent response.

Changes from surveys in the previous three years were slight.

Following are the percentages of professional positions filled by women:

Managing Partner/Executive Manager	11%
Partner/Principal	17
Manager/Senior Manager	41
Staff/Senior Staff	50

Survey results indicate a less than proportionate representation of women in top positions—the number of women partner/principals was greater than the number in top positions (17 percent v. 11 percent).

During the years from 2003 to 2005, the number of women in senior/senior staff levels declined from 54 percent to 49 percent; however, in 2006 that number increased to 50 percent.

Firms have initiated a variety of programs to increase retention of women. These include flexible work programs, mentoring, family leave, child care, gender equity committees, development of women to handle major clients, and part-time partners.

From Insight, The Magazine of the Illinois CPA Society, July 2006. For the complete article, click on the following link: http://www.insight-mag.com/insight/06/07/feat-4-pt-1-AccountingWomen.asp.