August 27, 2025

Still Under Glass

51 minutes

The accounting profession starts with gender parity… but ends with a massive leadership gap – and the discrepancy has nothing to do with either talent or capability. This episode examines the structural issues that cause firms to lose women mid-career, from unconscious bias in performance reviews to assumptions about working mothers. Nancy and Questian break down the research on interruption patterns, pay disparities, and the "motherhood penalty," then offer concrete ways leaders can create more equitable pathways to partnership.

Sponsors
Forwardly - https://www.forwardly.com/shecounts
Justine Lackey's The Incubator - https://justinelackey.com/register
Keeper - https://keeper.app/shecounts/

(00:00) - Introduction and Episode Overview

(00:50) - The Gender Gap in Accounting Leadership

(02:18) - Challenges Women Face in the Workplace

(07:13) - Personal Stories and Experiences

(09:03) - Addressing Unconscious Bias

(20:06) - Actionable Solutions for Change

(26:42) - A Friend's Struggle and Workplace Flexibility

(27:30) - The Pay Cut and Its Long-Term Impact

(29:15) - The Importance of Flexibility in the Workplace

(31:05) - Luma Accounting: A Solution for Flexible Work

(33:14) - Closing the Gender Pay Gap

(35:17) - Transparency in Compensation

(38:18) - Negotiation Challenges for Women

(40:23) - Client Assignments and Competence

(41:15) - Training and Support for Business Growth

(43:49) - Addressing Microaggressions and Bias

(48:25) - Intentional Leadership and Cultural Change

(49:53) - Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Resources

Despite equal entry rates, women hold only about 19% of partner positions in CPA firms nationwide.
- https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/landing/diversity-equity-and-inclusion
- https://www.icpas.org/information/copy-desk/insight/article/spring-2023/inspiring-progress-a-look-at-the-state-of-women-in-accounting
In broader business contexts, women occupy 14.3% of executive officer roles.
- https://us.aicpa.org/career/womenintheprofession/genderissues?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3 Ways to Empower the Women at Your Firm - Jodi Chavez of CPA Practice Advisor
Why women leave firms — and what we can do about it - Joey Havens of Journal of Accountancy
Robin Williams - The Day Dad Made Toast” from “Free To Be… a Family”
- https://youtu.be/cIVnuzRf2fE?si=gEDRslsh2DqgkTK9
Women+Workplaces - a community for workplaces that see the value of workers long on skills but short on time and specific availability, and women that have great skills and want to work but need jobs that can accommodate personal situations.
- https://sites.google.com/rawbookspdx.com/womenplusworkplaces/home
Jason Ackerman on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlackerman/

SPONSORS: Forwardly, Justine Lackey's The Incubator, Keeper,

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Connect with Questian

https://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/questian-telka-ea-78383666

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By Questian Telka, EA & Nancy McClelland, CPA

4.9

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