Successful women in accountancy: A study to identify characteristics and strategies of successful women accountants

Abstract or Summary

Research suggests women are encountering barriers to career progression often referred to as the glass ceitling, currently extensive research exists in relation to the barrier of the glass ceiling. This study seeks data from accounting woman that have successfully shattered the glass ceiling and aims to characterise traits or strategies developed in order to become successful in the accounting profession of today. The study consisted of eight semistructured interviews of successful women accountants, where success was defined as breaking the glass ceiling to the position of associate, director or partner of public accounting firms. The findings indicate teh glass ceiling remains a barrier to women's career progression. In order to be successful respondents developed alternative strategies to overcome the barriers. The results have implications for other women wishing to advance their careers in the current accounting profession.