Top 50+50 Accountancy Firms 2023: One firm reports having more than 50% of its partners as women

Only one firm within the top 100 UK accounting firms has a higher percentage of female partners than male, according to Accountancy Ages 2023 50+50 data.

In this year’s rankings, in partnership with Source Advisors, previously known as GovGrant in the UK, CT: Accountants & Advisors (formerly Chiene + Tate) reported that 57% of its partners were women. A further two firms, Ellacotts and Sopher+Co reported an equal male-to-female split of partners.

Gender diversity has been a longstanding issue within the accounting profession, with women underrepresented in senior roles despite making up a significant portion of the workforce at entry levels. Efforts to improve gender diversity have included mentorship programs, flexible working arrangements, and initiatives aimed at supporting women’s career progression.

In 2023, only 7 firms reported 40% or more of their partners were women, the same as in 2022. At a time when gender diversity within the sector is under the spotlight, a shocking three firms reported having zero female partners at the time of submission.

Where did the Big Four rank?

Only two of the big four disclosed the percentage split of their partners within the 2023 rankings.

EY just pipped PwC to the post with 29% of its partners female, compared to 21%. EY has grown its female partner base since 2022 when it reported a split of 26% of female partners.

Neither Deloitte nor KPMG provided data.

Just outside the big four, BDO reported that almost three-quarters of its partners (73%) were male.

Do things improve at the top?

The 50+50 also gathers information on gender split among firm leadership. Only 15 of the top 100 firms reported that the head of their firm was female – this is an increase of 25% from 2022.

Interestingly, none of the firms who reported having women at the head of their firm in 2022, reported the same in 2023, representing a 100% turnover rate.

At the time of submission, none of the Big Four reported having women at the head of their firms. In November 2023, EY selected Janet Truncale as the first female boss in the Big Four; she replaced Carmine Di Sibio.

The Big Four have appointed female bosses to run some of their biggest member firms, including EY’s past two US leaders, but had never previously chosen a woman to lead their global operations.

What are the larger firms doing to show they are taking gender equality seriously?

Over the past year, PwC have been working on closing the gender pay gap by collaborating with people who shape and contribute to gender inequality.

Their Gender Balance Network brings people together in conversation on gender and equality to create valuable change. Furthermore, their five-point action plan takes action to drive change in their firm and promote equality.

Since 2019, Deloitte has increased female representation in both member firm partnership and other leadership roles. It has a goal of having 30% of partners, Principals and Managing Directors as female by 2025.

In their vision to remove gender disparity and recognising the need to tackle gender barriers, Grant Thornton has several initiatives including enhancing family leave policies, a gender equality network and offering a male allyship programme to educate men on the importance and benefits of gender equity.

Their 2025 gender strategy includes stretching targets to increase the representation of women at senior levels.

KMPG UK has their very own gender equity action plan to promote diversity and gender equality. By 2030, they are committed to having a minimum of 40% female colleagues and 40% male colleagues in the relevant population, with the other 20% flexible.

KPMG UK has been recognised in the Times Top 50 Employers for Women for 12 consecutive years. They are also a signatory of the HMRC Women in Finance Charter and the Tech Talent Charter. They signed up to the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter in September 2017 to promote gender diversity and work together to build a more balanced and fair industry.

Accountancy Age accepted submissions to the 50+50 2023 between August and October 2023.