Assignment

Women and Accountancy Profession in the Big4: the case of GCC countries

A short paragraph of Big 4 in a particular country (including establishment and board of directors list; male and female); Employment laws in relation to women?

Partner, Director, Manager, Accountant, Trainees [Female Only]

GCC KPMG PwC EY Deloitte

UAE

Date of interview:

Time of interview:

UAE

Interview guide

Basic information - interviewees

* What is the exact designation of your position?
* How long have you been working in current organization
* Work Experience (including previous work experience in other companies) (in years)?
* Which professional qualifications do you hold? (e.g. CIMA, CMA, CPA or CA): from where?
* Number of employees in organization? How many Female: HR
* How many female employees are in senior level, mid- level and entrants (graduate trainee)? HR

Gender: Male/Female

Marital Status:

Children (if, yes, how many)?

Interview preamble:

You have been invited to participate in this study based on your experiences.

All responses to this interview are absolutely confidential and results will be presented in an anonymous form.

With your permission, I would like to record the interview to ensure that I do not miss any important points. I will make the transcript available if you wish. (Yes/No)

Would like me to acknowledge your support in my research? (Yes/No)

Interview Questions:

1. How would you define ‘gender diversity and inclusive workplace'?

2. Do you feel there is gender imbalance in accountancy profession? How?

3. What are the barriers to the successful take-up of flexible work for women?

4. Is there any remuneration difference between men and women?

5. Is there any impact on work-life balance? How would you maintain?

6. Do you have women-centric training and development? If yes (no), explain?

7. How about your company structure and women representation?

8. Why do women leave the accountancy profession? HR [Exit Survey]

9. How many hours of work per week for women? Any difference between men and women? HR

10. Is there any skills difference between men and women?

11. What are the areas of specialization women mostly recruited in your organization? HR

12. Which Job level (senior, middle or junior level) women mostly recruited so far in your organization? Why women are absent from senior roles? HR

13. Do women involve in team leadership? How about their performances?

14. What are the opportunities for career progression for women in your organization?

15. How would you describe the retention for women in your organization? HR

16. What are the motivations for choosing the accountancy profession for women?

17. How about the overall working organizational culture in your organization for men and women?

18. What are the opportunities for women in accountancy profession in your organization?

19. Please state do you have the followings for women? If yes, please explain

* Staff support
* Career break scheme
* Job sharing
* Working from home
* Mentoring
* Childcare
* CPD
* Flexible work arrangements
* Maternity leave (how long?) HR

20. Do you have any other comments on gender-related barriers and obstacles in accountancy profession?

For Partner

1. How would you define ‘gender diversity and inclusive workplace'?

2. Do you feel there is gender imbalance in accountancy profession? How?

3. What are the barriers to the successful take-up of flexible work for women?

4. Is there any remuneration difference between men and women?

5. Do you have women-centric training and development? If yes (no), explain?

6. How about your company structure and women representation?

7. Is there any skills difference between men and women?

8. Do women involve in team leadership? How about their performances?

9. What are the opportunities for career progression for women in your organization?

10. How about the overall working organizational culture in your organization for men and women?

11. What are the opportunities for women in accountancy profession in your organization?

12. Please state do you have the followings for women? If yes, please explain

* Staff support
* Career break scheme
* Job sharing
* Working from home
* Mentoring
* Childcare
* CPD
* Flexible work arrangements

13. Do you have any other comments on gender-related barriers and obstacles in accountancy profession?