Women warming to accountancy
The gap between the number of male and female students training at the ICAEW is continuing to narrow, according to the institute's latest statistical report on education, training and student salaries.
But in terms of overall membership to the ICAEW, women are still in a distinct minority. Of the nearly 120,000 members, just over 20,000 or 18% are woman, although the numbers have risen from just 12% in 1991.
Figures for the 1999/2000 intake revealed women made up 43.3% of all students, compared with 42.7% for 1998/1999. The number of woman students has risen steadily over the last seven years – in 1993, just over a third of trainees were from the fairer sex.
2000 also saw the greatest proportion of women admitted since 1991, with 1,156 or 38% obtaining membership of the institute.
The news was less encouraging for ethnic minorities, who together accounted for just under 12% of all trainees, marginally down from the previous year’s figure of 11.6%.
Overall graduates were better off in the last year, with salaries rising an average of 6% across the profession. And most graduates left the ICAEW with pound signs in their eyes, as eight out of ten chose to begin their careers at big firms where wages are substantially higher.
London, Croydon and Thames Valley offered the highest starting salaries ranging from £18,000 to £19,200.
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