Accountants with Attitude: A Career Survey of Women and Men in the Profession.

The career attitudes of professionally qualified accountants from the six major accountancy bodies in the United Kingdom and Ireland were examined through a survey of a sample structured so that a minium of 100 men and 100 women were chosen from the membership of each professional body. Of the 1,478 questionnaires mailed, 745 (50.4%) were included in the analysis. The analysis focused on respondents' reasons for studying accounting, their characteristics and employment patterns, their views on careers in accounting, their skills and training needs, things they want from work, and considerations in developing and managing a diverse work force. Both male and female respondents identified strongly with their profession, considered themselves well trained, and reported high levels of job interest and career satisfaction. The women did not consider their career opportunities equal to those of their male counterparts. Despite an unmet demand for part-time work opportunities, women who were working or had worked part time or in a job share reported negative career consequences of part-time employment. A great deal of similarity was found between the features of work considered most important by men and women. (Fifty-two figures/tables are included. Appended are a discussion of the survey methodology and six additional tables.) (MN)