In recent years, the CPA profession has been doing more to advance women into leadership roles, yet recent data shows that they only comprise 23%of partners and principals. To counter this, the 2017Accounting MOVEProject survey, titled ”Pipeline to Finish Line: Powering Women to the Partner/Principal Level,” plans to discuss specific strategies and programs that will advance women leadership into higher numbers.
[IMGCAP(1)] “The pipeline is not solving itself," stated Joanne Cleaver, president ofWilson-Taylor Associates, the content strategy firm overseeing the MOVE Project. "Women are about half of incoming professionals each year, but drop out on the brink of partnership. This is unsustainable. The profession can solve its talent gap simply by retaining more women at the senior level.”
“This year’s MOVE theme comes at a critical point in the progression of many women’s initiatives across public accounting,” said Jennifer Wyne, executive director of human resources atMoss Adamsand founding sponsor of the MOVE Project, per a statement. “As firms continue to implement more deliberate programs and succession planning strategies, the upcoming report will surface valuable best practices to continue to increase the number of women partners and leaders across the industry.”
The MOVE Project is supported by founding sponsor Moss Adams, national sponsorCohnReznick, and administrative fees from other participating firms.
A complete summary of the 2017 Accounting MOVE Project will be published in the May 2017 issue of the Public Accounting Report, with the full report available at the sites of MOVE association partners,the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA), and theAmerican Woman’s Society of Certified Public Accountants (AWSCPA).
In addition to publishing the 2017 survey findings, the MOVE Project will compose a list of top public accounting firms for women and top equity leadership firms.
All firms are encouraged to participate in the 2017 MOVE Project Survey. Registration is currently open at Wilson-Taylor Associates'site here. For more on the Accounting MOVE Project, head to AFWA'ssite here.
