Pivotal: as the scale tips toward a female majority in the profession, change is inevitable.

• Author: Leitschuh, Cheryl

The numbers don't lie. Over the past 35 years, the ranks of female CPAs in the nation has jumped from 2,000 to more than 100,000, and there are more to come. Nationwide, more than 50 percent of the new accounting graduates are women, and, in California, 60 percent of new licensees are women.

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Fueling the trend is a combination of factors that includes a growing market and expanding job opportunities for accountants; job security; and growing career advancement opportunities that has seen an increase of women in partner positions from 12 percent in 1993 to 19 percent in 2005.

"Whether she wants to work in public accounting, perform accounting work in private industry or even start a new business, an accounting background provides a strong foundation for career success," says Wendy Richards, CPA, director of consulting services for Arxis Technology Inc. in Huntington Beach.

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The trend also feeds on itself: as women advance in the profession they become role models for other women to become CPAs.

"I think that there has been an increase of professional and executive women in every profession, and as women see role models in these positions they are more likely to emulate them," says Marie Ebersbacher, CPA, director of CBIZ and a shareholder in Mayer Hoffman McCann PC in Southern Caliofornia. "Many women enjoy the recruiting aspect of our jobs, and I think that is encouraging to women who may be considering accounting but who may have the impression it is male-dominated."

Still, several factors remain to be addressed--by individuals and companies--for women to further succeed and advance in the profession.

Recently, the AICPA Work Life and Women's Initiative Executive Committee conducted focus groups to assess just how far the profession has come--and how far it has yet to go. The results are comprised in the committee's report, "A Decade of Changes in the Accounting Profession: Workforce Trends and Human Capital Practices."

GLASS CEILINGS: SHATTERED OR JUST CRACKED?

"My opinion is that the glass ceiling has been shattered for the profession as a whole, though many firms are resistant to change," says CalCPA Los Angeles Chapter President Violeta Cristobal, CPA, owner and partner of Cristobal and Company in Los Angeles. 'As companies begin offering more flexibility, women are becoming partners in their firms and CFOs of their companies. Compensation packages are strong, as are opportunities for...