Firm practice management

One of the biggest evolutions in the accounting field’s 100-year history is the presence of women in the profession. As of 2003 42% of full-time CPAs were women. Almost 6 in 10 (59%) of the staff in entry-level positions were women. Almost 1 in 5 partners (19%) and 4 in

What do high labor costs, succession planning and client expectations have in common? Answer: They are all huge challenges facing the accounting profession. Large numbers of corporate and firm executives quickly are approaching retirement and many will leave in the next 10 to 15 years. The challenge is clear: Firms

Today’s CPAs come from very diverse backgrounds and have very different expectations from the employees of a generation past. Students and new hires in the accounting profession have made it very clear they value balance in their lives—and workplace flexibility is a necessary component. Workplace flexibility, once considered a female

Susan Coffey and Arleen Thomas, the first women to be promoted to senior vice-president at the AICPA, both make use of flexible work arrangements (FWA). With two young children each, Coffey and Thomas have used the AICPA’s telecommuting program and work two days a week from their home offices. Using

Present a positive role model. Take a good look at the image you project. Recognize the value of the whole person. There’s more to success than the number of hours billed or promotions earned. Balance your professional and personal goals. Take advantage of flexible work arrangements that allow you to

After her twin boys were born in February 2004, Ann Donaghey decided to take an extended period of time off from her job as senior manager in the tax practice of Deloitte & Touche LLP’s Chicago office. Although she had been on a successful flexible work arrangement and had been

W e hear a lot in business about the importance of the tone at the top in motivating people to do the right thing. What leaders do (not just say) is a defining factor in how the rest of the organization behaves. The right tone is essential not only in

A two-part survey—conducted by Catalyst in 1998 and again in 2001—of African American, Hispanic and Asian American women in corporate management, including accounting firms, revealed both positive and negative trends. On the positive side, respondents said they Experienced positive career growth. Employed several key strategies to succeed—with great emphasis on

Burned out—or balancing tasks well? Are you juggling multiple tasks every day and exhausted from the demands of your personal and professional life? Perhaps it’s time for a schedule that provides more opportunity for work/life balance. There may be times in your career when an alternative schedule provides the support