[Anonymous]

Hmmm, so I’m curious to hear the opinions of the A71 ladies…do you, generally speaking, as a gender, feel like you make significantly less money than your male counterparts? Accounting for information asymmetry in most cases, do you perceive that you make less money than male colleagues? I’ve felt that we’ve (as a society) come a long way in bridging the gap between men and women in pay, but an article that I just read said women were still pulling down about $0.91 to the $1 of men’s salary (it was initially like 77%, but after compensating for industry differences and educational differences, it came closer to 91%). So this article got me thinking…I wonder if that transcends private industry into public accounting. As female CPAs (or in-progress CPAs), do you feel like you make less money than men? If you do, why do you think that is? Do you think it’s flat-out discrimination? Or do you think it’s because of unavoidable biological life events that may deter a woman’s progress up the ladder, so-to-speak (i.e., pregnancy, child rearing, etc.)? I’d be curious to hear your thoughts.

[Anonymous]

I really just think that any company will pay you as little as they can regardless of your sex. I've always asked for more regardless of the number thrown at me because the worse thing that can possibly happen is they just say no. Only once was I ever refused anything.

In my experience, I honestly just think women on average are more likely then men to just take whatever they are offered without a fight. The few women I know who did negotiate got some if not all that they had ask for.

[Mom2two]

B: 81 (3X) May 2012
A: 76 (1X) Nov 2011
R: 86 (2X) Feb 2012
F: 64, April 2011, retake 10.01.12 - 75!!!!!!!!!!

[MeaDebitum]

@mgoloubenko Lol, I figured. Just giving you a hard time.

[littlenumberrobot]

I have had some women issues too… it was my first job out of college and a group of us youngens got alongREALLY well. Until one girl was hired and we werent all on the same page anymore. It got really ugly, not saying goodmorning, refusing to speak to one another. I thought I was being an adult but not saying anyhing to management and just go on as usual…. just be profession. Well that girl accused myself and some of the other girls of harassment. Then Mgmt was involved and they handled it POORLY. We all later got over it, but I was so disgusted in myself as a female that I was involved in that. It crushed me to know my boss knew the girls couldnt get along. UGH!

Moving on, I work with women older than I and I get along with them even if I have to be wrong all the time 🙂 its worth the peace 🙂

I like working with men. Non-drama 🙂

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[sarah210]

@dtomasello– you say you have always asked for more– when in the process do you do that? how do you know how much to ask for?

REG- 53, 91
BEC- 88
FAR- 62, 85
AUD- 85

Ethics- 93

[musicamor]

I have had good and bad experiences working for women; however, both of my previous women bosses said they HATE working for women–they'd prefer to work for a man. Go figure!

My previous boss was a women and she left me never wanting to work for another woman. Before her, my woman boss was AWESOME–she's actually my mentor. So I guess it depends upon the person.

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[mgoloubenko]

Working with women is a very case by case type of situation. It's pretty much just like how in Audit you can get placed into a really good, friendly group or you can end up with people who are really difficult to talk to and work with. I think the thing about working with women that either makes or breaks your relationship is the initial perception of that person. If a woman feels like she has a connection with you, it will be pleasant and easy to work together. Unfortunately, women are much quicker to scan a new co-worker and pass a negative judgment on her that will keep them from forming a friendship….Thus it's really hard to overcome these judgments once they're made.

FAR 4/9/12- PASSED
BEC 7/13/12- PASSED
AUD 8/16/12- Ughhh 71, Rematch: 90!!!
REG-12/6/12 PASSED

USC MAcc- Fight on!

They say good things come to those who wait, but only those things that are left by those who hustle.

[Trisha]

@ Mom2Two ~ Couldn't agree more. Before I had kids, straight out of college, I worked 2-3 jobs, went to school full time and partied with the best of them. I had my first child at 27, and after a year as a stay at home mom, I went to school for accounting, My undergrad was in social science, and I had never taken a business class in my life. I was fortunate enough to get a tax internship with KPMG during campus recruiting. This was a major eye opener for me. My internship was extended through the September 15th deadline, and I was supposed to start in IES in January. The offerer was amazing ~ pay, benifits, bonuses, ect. But after watching busy season first hand (something I think they hide during the internship), I panicked. My daughter was 3, and I couldn't imagine being away from her as much as the job would require. I am not by any means knocking those who are, but for me it wasn't how I saw my work life balance. I declined the offer 2 weeks before my start date, instead coming to work where I am now. Did I commit career suicide? Maybe. Sometimes I wonder if I should have stuck it out for the big picture. But the balance I have now is priceless. Would I have ever forseen making a choice like that when I was in my 20's sans kids? NEVER. I am a type A work better under pressure clean freak. But becoming a Mom changed all that, along with my perspective. I think this kind of thing heavily plays into the gender income disparity. Maybe not immediately, but in the long run. I still have big aspirations. I want to get my MBA and at some point be a CFO. I will just be accomplishing these goals in a little longer time frame.

REG 72, 86 and DONE!!!
BEC 80 🙂
FAR 72, 78 🙂
AUD 73, 76 🙂

[Anonymous]

@musicamor I hear you . ..

(NOTE the following are generalizations I have noticed in professional settings. Obviously, this will not ALWAYS be the case.) I will probably get flack for these statements.

Several reasons women get treated unequally. I think many women enter their careers at a lower level. They start as admin assistants or secretaries and although they may end up with the same degree as men, they can't shake the “secretary” typecasting. Men can never seem find the coffee or work the copy machine properly. Women tend to find the coffee and freshen the pot as needed, they are also sent to make copies because they know how to use the machine so well.

I've noticed guys tend to discuss their achievements or even brag, women tend to just behave professionally. End result is bosses and hiring managers view the man as something special and the woman as warm but unaccomplished.

In a working environment we are often assigned gender biased roles. Women are asked to gather and organize information, make unimportant phone calls, discuss arrangements with low level colleagues or confirm information with a client's bookkeeper. While we are quietly being good team players the men are updating spreadsheets, discussing the direction of work with the boss, and conferring with the CFO about tomorrow's goals.

Also, women seem to be able to enter a room, do their work with little fanfare and leave the room without anyone noticing. Men tend to announce their arrival and let everyone know what they've done. When they leave it is obvious they worked in the space. Result is that even if they did similar amounts/difficulty of work the women are remembered as not adding value because they were in and out without fuss.

I've found that sometimes women just won't have the same culturally biased advantages as men. My suggestion to women to do their best to “tweak” it. When appropriate tell people what to do (nicely) rather than ask. Instead of instinctively jumping in to help with lower level tasks, let it go. (This is hard for most women) I don't offer to make coffee, file, photocopy, run to the post office, order lunch, etc. if there is someone else that should be doing it. And no, I will not pack your audit bag.

[mgoloubenko]

@mom2two & @trisha, I know you guys are 100% right. My perspective comes from being a 23 year old single woman with no kids. I think having a family really changes your priorities and what is important to you. Many of the women who do reach these positions, like that CFO I had mentioned, was divorced and had no children. Actually even most of the high power men that I've met in these roles seem to have a really large disconnect from their families because of how much time these roles take and even the constant travel. I think that's a pretty good indicator of the familial sacrifices that perhaps it may take to reach that role. I really hope not though. For a long time I didn't see myself getting married or having children, but I'm not so sure anymore.

FAR 4/9/12- PASSED
BEC 7/13/12- PASSED
AUD 8/16/12- Ughhh 71, Rematch: 90!!!
REG-12/6/12 PASSED

USC MAcc- Fight on!

They say good things come to those who wait, but only those things that are left by those who hustle.

[sarah210]

Working with ANYONE is a very case by case situation. I don't see why working with or for women has to be this big “thing.” There are awesome bosses who are male or female, and there are douchey bosses who are male or female. I think very little of it depends on gender.

REG- 53, 91
BEC- 88
FAR- 62, 85
AUD- 85

Ethics- 93

[mgoloubenko]

Sarah, I totally agree but I have to say women can be much more of a nightmare on how we treat each other.

FAR 4/9/12- PASSED
BEC 7/13/12- PASSED
AUD 8/16/12- Ughhh 71, Rematch: 90!!!
REG-12/6/12 PASSED

USC MAcc- Fight on!

They say good things come to those who wait, but only those things that are left by those who hustle.

[jeff]

My first job was in an accounting firm with 6 women.

They called me their token male. They were fun…although I never got invited to their girls' night out.

“Bye Jeff … don't forget to lock up!!”

[littlenumberrobot]

My only female boss so far was my stepmother so if I survived working with her I think I can survive any other female 🙂

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Trisha]

@Mgoloubenko ~ I still think you can have both with the proper balance. I feel I do right now. I work, am doing this treacherous exam, and still have dinner with my family, go to soccer, ect… It isn't easy. Parts of my life suffer (fitness, house cleaning, ect) My best advice is to bust a** now while you are young and without children/spouse. It puts you in a better place for when you possibly make a transition to a family. I have seen powerful woman with both, and it is a super balancing act. But woman wouldn't be made to be such amazing multi-taskers if this wasnt the case 😉

REG 72, 86 and DONE!!!
BEC 80 🙂
FAR 72, 78 🙂
AUD 73, 76 🙂

[Author]

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