As someone who began her career when the accountancy profession and much of the corporate world was dominated by men, I am proud to be a woman in the industry today, surrounded by so many smart and successful women. While there is much to celebrate around the accomplishments of businesswomen worldwide, it’s important to keep the discussion around women’s rights and the role women play alive, in recognition of the great things we bring to the boardroom table and beyond, as we continue to strive for equality. In writing this piece, I have been reflecting on the challenges, opportunities and advantages for and of women in business; and I invite you all to do the same and to share your experiences with others.
A challenge for many businesswomen is developing a personal leadership style - one that isn’t necessarily considered a stereotypical male way to lead, nor that which performs a traditional female role. I look back fondly and acknowledge that when I first joined Moore Kingston Smith, while it wasn’t anywhere near where we are today in terms of parity, it could have been considered progressive for the time. That isn’t to say it wasn’t a male-dominated setting (it was), and as a woman who became a Partner in the 90s, honing my style of guidance was heavily influenced by my upbringing and home environment – growing up with three brothers prepared me well for leading in a space that was predominantly made up of men.
Something that has improved but still poses a challenge is childcare and the understanding that women can play more roles than one. Women can be parents as well as successful professionals - the two are not mutually exclusive. When I became a mother for the first time, there wasn’t much of a structure in place in terms of maternity leave for a woman in a senior role. Thankfully I was able to step out of my role as Partner to be a mother and easily step back in. It hasn’t always been that way and there are still women experiencing a lack of support. It is therefore essential that businesses provide the support structures and tools that parents need to fulfil both roles.
There are of course huge opportunities for women in business today. The gender pay gap has helped to increase awareness of that issue, with many businesses now having to report on the subject. This has, in turn, helped to change attitudes and to impact processes by bringing it front of mind. There are still many areas that need work; the international stage clearly demonstrates that gender equality is in vastly different phases around the world. We have come a long way, but there’s still a long way to go. Something that I believe can really help women in business is peer-to-peer support; with those who have progressed taking the time to help and support other women along their journey. While there are always challenges, success can be facilitated through the right support. Having someone to talk to, share experiences with and ask for trusted advice are some of the most beneficial tools we have available to us.
Of course, the advantages of having women in business are mammoth. An innate ability for relationship building, adaptability, and aptitude for learning are just a few traits that assure us women are an asset. Diversity and inclusion have always been an advantage to organisations in ensuring long-term business success – even more so in today’s challenging landscape. Not only is it vital to attract and retain talent, but a workforce inclusive of all genders, not to mention ethnicities, backgrounds and cultures, provides multi-faceted benefits. Diverse organisations perform better, have higher employee satisfaction, and greater financial returns.
I am pleased to see the industry bustling with so many incredible businesswomen, and I am excited to see and support the role women are currently playing - and will continue to play - in the accountancy profession and wider business community. I’m sure you will all join me in celebrating the remarkable women across the Moore network and beyond.
Written exclusively for Moore South Africa by Maureen Penfold from
Moore Kingston Smith.