News Article - 21 May 2012
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Accountancy practices in Scotland are introducing flexible working initiatives to address the gender divide, it has been claimed.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (ICAS) has said that changes such as allowing women to attend promotion assessments while on maternity leave are being implemented to make the profession more female-friendly.

Isobel Sharp, president of ICAS and a partner at Deloitte, told the Herald: "We have to get across the message that having children is not in any way a disadvantage."

She added that accountancy firms which fail to become more flexible would struggle to rectify their gender imbalance.

A recent study by the body found that a rising number of females in Scotland are now training to become chartered accountants, however, it also noted a disparity in senior positions within the industry.

Some accountancy practices, such as Deloitte & Touche, offer flexible scheduling and a programme for female promotion.

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