IWD: Glass ceiling cracked, but not smashed, says ACCA

Forty years on from the phrase ‘glass ceiling’ being used to define thwarted careers and ambitions - especially for women – global accountancy body ACCA is calling for business leaders to show real and measurable progress on diversity and social mobility issues, as it marks International Women’s Day 2018.

ACCA has initiated a global theme for this year’s event; #pressforprogress, in order to seek advances on a number of issues from gender pay parity to equality of opportunity.

ACCA chief executive Helen Brand OBE, said: “2018 is a landmark year for women – it’s the 100th anniversary of some getting the vote in the UK, and also the 40th anniversary of the phrase ‘glass ceiling’ first being used by consultant Marilyn Loden.

“Looking forward, if there’s one area where I wish to see sustained progress, it’s to ensure career ladders breakthrough the glass ceiling for women. We have to take a wider view and seek progress on social mobility - unequal access to opportunities still exist for many women and men.

“ACCA has welcomed policies to address issues such as disparity in pay and boardroom diversity in the UK and globally. There are examples of good practice highlighted in our recent report Generation next: managing talent in large accountancy firms which shows how the Big Four are addressing diversity to ensure women have a place and voice in their business. This includes KPMG’s women in finance forum and Deloitte conducting ‘blind interviews’ to tackle recruitment bias.

“The accountancy profession is an attractive career choice for many because of the flexibility and choice it offers. At ACCA we’ve reality, with an open access policy that enables anyone to qualify as a professional accountant. By simply removing the need for prior qualifications, we’ve created access to a profession that offers a rewarding career.”

ACCA says employers and their recruitment strategies are part of the success equation for diversity.

Ms Brand added: “As our Gen Next report shows, creating the leaders of tomorrow is an on-going task for firms. The tone clearly has to be set from the top, with a transparent culture that’s committed to diversity. We have to measure this progress too – after all, what’s not measured can’t be managed.

“Effective corporate leadership is needed to achieve real and lasting progress. I believe this can be made through open discussion, transparent reporting and ensuring diversity is an integral part of how we work now and in the future.”

To mark International Women’s Day, ACCA has launched its microsite which includes interviews and profiles of women ACCA members: www.accaglobal.com/iwd