It's a man's world and we want it to be changed, say women

Women now make up nearly a fifth of the 112,000 members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, but they still see themselves being treated as second class citizens, according to research just published.

The survey of nearly 400 female accountants working in public practice firms across the country carried out by the financial recruitment consultancy Harrison Willis found that only just over a third believed they enjoyed the same career opportunities as male colleagues. A similar proportion saw themselves as having the same prospects of attaining partnership as a man. More than a quarter thought that they were being paid less than men with the same duties.

According to the women questioned as part of a research programme begun in 1995, accountancy is a particularly difficult environment in which to succeed. Nearly half felt they would have better prospects if they worked in information technology, while 55 per cent believed that they would have a better chance of success in advertising or the media.

Ambitious women accountants are quite clear about what is likely to hold them back. Three-quarters of the sample believed that having children would have a negative effect. The other main reason - cited by 46 per cent - for women being disadvantaged was the domination of men.

A significant number of female accountants believed that there was a need to introduce special benefits into salary packages to redress the balance and to take into account the difficulties and challenges encountered by women.

Nearly a half wanted formal career breaks to be introduced. Slightly fewer called for flexible hours to take account of family commitments and just under a third wanted firms to set up childcare arrangements. However, nearly three-quarters of those questioned remained sceptical whether any of these measures would have a real effect on their career prospects.

Although a clear majority were glad they had chosen accountancy, nearly a third of the sample regretted their choice.

David Goldstone, the report's author, said: "Although there is a definite perception of discrimination against women in the accountancy profession and there has been little sign of it abating since we set up this research programme in 1995, it's encouraging that there is an air of optimism. Well over half of the women in the poll believed that there would be more equality of opportunity over the next five years.

"However, while some see change coming because of the influence of a growing number of women in senior positions, most seem to think that it will be forced on the profession by the market, as increasing competition and a shortage of staff due to demographic factors brings about a truly merit-based approach to promotion."

Roger Trapp