Despite reports of sexual harassment against women dropping from 2021 levels, CA ANZ general manager for New Zealand, Charlotte Evett, said it remained too high. Photo: 123RF
Women are still more than two-and-a-half times as likely to experience sexual harassment compared to men in the finance sector.
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand's (CA ANZ) latest two-yearly diversity, equity and inclusion report showed 13 percent of women respondents reported sexual harassment in the workplace, compared to 5 percent of men.
That compared to 11 percent of women in 2023 and 19 percent in 2021.
CA ANZ general manager for New Zealand, Charlotte Evett, said the findings - based on a survey of nearly 2000 members - did not reflect a structural problem in the profession.
"The profession is not without fault, because it's not zero percent, but I think it's reflective of a broader societal issue - but absolutely, we're not going to wait for other people to fix it.
"We have a responsibility, as Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand, to help address it across the accounting profession."
Evett said the biennial survey aimed to shine a light on issues and uncomfortable truths such as harassment.
Despite reports of sexual harassment against women dropping from 2021 levels, Evett said it remained too high.
"We've seen some great improvements across other negative behaviours, but we continue to shine a light on the uncomfortable truths so that we can work with members and our profession to do something about them.
"The right percentage of sexual harassment cases is zero."
CA ANZ chief executive Ainslie van Onselen said 51 percent of its provisional membership were women, compared to 43 percent of its full members, and it was clear the demographic sands of the profession were shifting.
"Therefore, it is imperative for us to collectively address the issues facing women if we are to retain and develop key talent within the profession."
Encouraging more Māori and Pasifika accountants
CA ANZ data also showed Māori made up 4 percent of membership, compared to 18 percent who identify as Māori in the wider population.
Evett wanted their membership to reflect the communities they serve, noting that the Māori economy had grown from $17 billion in 2018 to $32b in 2023.
"It makes absolute business sense, as well as being the right thing to do."
CA ANZ was developing partnerships with Iwi and educators, and had introduced a "learn while you earn" pathway to formal accounting qualifications.
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