13% of Women Accountants Face Workplace Harassment: CA ANZ Report

• Reports of discriminatory behavior in the accounting profession have decreased since 2021
• 13% of women accountants and 5% of men reported having been subjected to sexual harassment in the past five years

Since 2021, there has been a decline in reports of Workplace Discrimination in the Accounting Profession.

However, over the last five years, the report states that 13 percent of women who work as Accountants reported experiencing Sexual Harassment in their workplace, in contrast to 5 percent of male account Holders.

The Report, which was conducted on behalf of CA ANZ using a survey, sent to over 1,932 accountants, provided insight into how Workplace Harassment has changed over the last two years.

According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CA ANZ, Ainslie Van Onselen, the survey findings demonstrate that firms need to take a more consistent approach to preventing negative behavior’s in the workplace to create a Safe and Inclusive Workplace for all Accountants.

She stated that it is essential to provide all employees with a Safe Workplace environment to minimize harm, and also to be able to attract a diverse range of talent.

The report indicates that more women than men report experiencing higher levels of negative workplace behaviour, including 2.6 times as many reports of sexual harassment, 1.6 times as many reports of Bullying, 1.6 times as many reports of being ignored or interrupted unnecessarily.

The report concludes that as a result of the above evidence, one in five women working in Corporate Australia stated they would consider leaving their careers due to a lack of Inclusion and/or Discrimination in the workplace.

The demographics of the profession are shifting, with women comprising 51 percent of provisional CA ANZ members and 43 percent of total members.

While more than three-quarters of the respondents said their firm’s value diversity of thinking, background, and experience, challenges remain.

Some members still experience challenges like ageism, exclusion of LGBTQIA+, and sexism. Notably, 18 percent of women aged 18–34 in Australia said they had experienced ageism, proof that this is also felt by the younger employee base.

The report also identified underrepresentation of certain groups in the profession. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander members: 0.44 percent, Māori members: 3.31 percent, Pasifika members: 1.78 percent

CA ANZ is committed to continuing the support and attraction of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori, and Pasifika talents as part of its organisational strategy for the next three to five years. The strategy combines DEI initiatives with technical competency development.

Through partnership, advocacy, and culturally informed education, CA ANZ seeks to equip the next generation of chartered accountants.

Close to 60 percent of respondents to the survey supported the prioritization of at least one DEI initiative by the organisation; the top three areas supported were education, advocacy, and practical tools.

Women and younger members demonstrated a particularly high level of support for such initiatives, indicating that they can help create a workplace where everyone feels visible, heard, and valued.