March is Women’s History Month, a special time to commemorate the vital role of women in our society. At the MSCPA, we take special note of women in accounting and recognize you for all that you give to the profession. We thank you!
We heartily support all efforts for diversity, equity and inclusion, including those that aim to increase the role women play in accounting and at the MSCPA. We have made great strides, yet there is still work to be done. Even though men and women are entering the profession in equal numbers, women still represent only 23% of partners. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this challenge, as women are disproportionately bearing the responsibilities of increased child care and virtual school obligations created by the pandemic lockdown. Our friends at the Associated Industries of Massachusetts wrote an insightful opinion piece for The Boston Globe on the issue and suggested some solutions.
For our part, the Society strives to make sure women are represented in leadership roles and their voices are heard. I’m proud to announce that on May 1, three accomplished and talented women will hold critical leadership positions on our Board of Directors: Karen McElroy, CPA, as our chair-elect; Laura O’Brien, CPA, MST, as vice chair of the Finance Committee; and Laura Felice, CPA, CGMA, as vice-chair. I am thrilled to work with them as we shape the direction of our organization and the future of the profession.
Lastly, to achieve greater parity in accounting, we must provide resources, support and mentorship. For this reason, the Society offers a Women in Accounting Committee and Women’s Mentoring Circles for our members to come together to discuss challenges, solutions and issues that are unique to women in the profession. These networks are a benefit of your membership, so please consider coming to our next meeting! You can also contact Jill Foley at jfoley@mscpaonline.org for more information.
On behalf of the MSCPA, thank you to our women members and their many allies for your contributions to your firm or organization, the Society and your profession. The future of accounting is brighter because of you!