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Where are the female CFOs?

Author

Listed:
  • Gail Webber

    (University of the West of England, Bristol)

  • Don J Webber

    (University of the West of England, Bristol)

  • Dominic Page

    (University of South Wales)

  • Timothy Hinks

    (University of the West of England, Bristol)

Abstract

Most Chief Financial Officers are male even though female accountants should be well-placed to occupy these board-level positions. This article examines the impact of interactions between parenthood and the organisational environment on the career trajectory of women in the executive pipeline. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with middle management female accountants we reveal that parenthood temporarily changed their preferences for work-hours in order to balance career aspirations with desires to care for children, but they subsequently experienced discrimination as their managers and/or colleagues perceived flexible working to be synonymous with lower prioritisation of the organisation. In contrast, all women who were able to work part-time with their original employer while their children were young resumed successful careers once their children were older. If society wishes to increase the number of women at board-level then workplace culture must be developed to integrate and facilitate flexible work practises at all organisational levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Gail Webber & Don J Webber & Dominic Page & Timothy Hinks, 2017. "Where are the female CFOs?," Working Papers 20171703, Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Bristol.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwe:wpaper:20171703
    as

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    File URL: http://www2.uwe.ac.uk/faculties/BBS/BUS/Research/General/Economic%20Papers%202017/1703.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Susan Durbin & Jennifer Tomlinson, 2010. "Female part-time managers: networks and career mobility," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 24(4), pages 621-640, December.
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