This article appeared in CPA Australia’s online newsletter, CPA Update, published March 4, 2008

In 2007, 14,062 women enrolled to study CPA Australia's entry program compared with 10,150 men, a 16 percent difference. These women have accredited degrees and are looking to expand their credentials by studying to become a CPA.

Women now account for 41 percent of CPA Australia's 117,000 strong membership. Ten years ago, in 1998, women accounted for 29 percent of the overall membership (87,000). In NSW alone, women make up 54 percent of membership under 34 years of age.

CPA Australia President Alex Malley is delighted that more women are forging careers as finance professionals.

"Accounting is a great career in great demand. Businesses the world over simply cannot get enough accountants. Our members have highly transferable qualifications that give them skills for a variety of roles that include working in management, environmental accounting, investment banking and running their own business. The opportunities are endless.

'These days men and women are looking for a career that offers a work / life balance, so they find the flexibility that accounting offers very attractive. Women who want to have a family, work overseas or work part-time appreciate that. And then there's the salary — many of those with a CPA qualification enjoy better wages than those who have just completed a degree."

A recent survey by Graduate Careers Australia* (GCA) found that students who had gone on to study postgraduate qualifications after their bachelor's degrees in Australia earned an average annual salary of $60,000 in 2006. The 2006 salary is up by $1900 from 2005, and $18,000 more than the median salary of those with a bachelor's degree.

To further understand gender issues affecting the accounting profession, CPA Australia is supporting research to extend its 2001 study on Gender Issues in Accounting this year. The study will look at policies, practices and procedures that assist the retention of accountants, particularly women accountants, and promote the equitable treatment of women accountants.

* This GCA report is based on over 28,500 responses from postgraduates, including those with graduate and postgraduate certificates and diplomas, coursework masters degrees, research masters degrees, professional doctorates and PhDs.