ACCA chief calls for improved diversity
The financial services sector needs to do more to push women to the top tier of businesses, according to recent comments made by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) global chief executive, Helen Brand.
Ms Brand made her comments at a recent conference for women working in the industry held in Lagos, Nigeria. She stressed that this issue is not confined to one specific country or continent, but an international problem that requires cross-border collaboration and wide-ranging cultural change.
However, the ACCA head also pointed out that thinking around the issue of diversity should not become mired in gender - "there is diversity of cultures, diversity of skills and experiences, diversity of ideas and business perspectives that help create and drive great finance functions", she explained.
Fundamentally, broadening the range of potential candidates for accounting jobs and allowing a wide range of views and backgrounds into the workforce tends to have a positive impact on a firm's bottom line, something Ms Brand was keen to stress in her keynote speech.
"Quite simply, diversity is a critical component of capability. You want to employ the best people in finance and the best people simply are not defined along some set of homogeneous criteria," she declared.
ACCA does not support the concept of quotas, despite the EU's ongoing efforts to introduce these into the UK finance world. This kind of move can be seen as tokenistic and simply lead to box-ticking rather than long-lasting, deep-seated change within the sector, warned Ms Brand.
She noted that since the Davies report came out more than two years ago, with the stated aim of achieving a 25 per cent figure of women in FTSE boardrooms, nearly half of new appointments to senior positions have been female.
The Prudential Regulation Authority recently suggested that the EU's efforts to drive up diversity in the financial services sector could see a mandatory quota system introduced within the next few years.
Our commitment to diversity
We recognise and advocate that a diverse workforce contributes positively to a company’s success and growth. Learn more about how we are leading by example and contributing to the conversation in the diversity and inclusion space.
Signup to receive the latest discipline specific articles
Related articles
Teaser
GovernanceContent Type
Fintech
18/04/24
Summary
The role of risk and compliance in financial services As a sizeable, growing portion of the financial services sector, risk and compliance play a vital role in ensuring that firms conduct busine
by
David Clamp
Teaser
Executive SearchContent Type
General
18/04/24
Summary
Private equity (PE) is a growing industry that has always attracted ambitious top talent due to its high risk/high gain capital investment. Pre-covid, we saw the global private equity industry b
by
Tracey Alper
Teaser
Commerce & IndustryContent Type
General
18/04/24
Summary
What is financial contracting? Financial contracting refers to the practice of hiring finance professionals on a contractual basis to fulfil specific roles or projects within an orga
by
Kelvin Murphy
Related jobs
Salary:
£60,000 - £70,000 per annum
Location:
North West England
Industry
Insurance
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Financial Services
Salary
£70,000 - £80,000
Job Discipline
Internal Audit
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Internal Audit Manager - ESG & Operational, you'll contribute to external requirements & stakeholder expectations around ESG performance and reporting
Reference
BBBH180036
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
David ClampAuthor
David ClampSalary:
£150,000 - £170,000 per annum + Equity, Bonus and Benefits
Location:
City of London, London
Industry
Business Services
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£125,000 - £175,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin Executive Search is working with a Well-Established Listed B2B Infrastructure Consultancy Business
Reference
TA3249
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£180,000 - £200,000 per annum + exit bonus, benefits
Location:
London
Industry
Technology
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£175,000 - £250,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin Executive Search has an opportunity for a Chief Financial Officer to join a high growth PE-Backed Tech-enabled business.
Reference
TA 3247
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£150,000 - £175,000 per annum + Equity, Bonus and Benefits
Location:
Yorkshire and the Humber
Industry
Business Services
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£175,000 - £250,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin Executive Search has an exciting opportunity for a CFO to join a PE Backed infrastructure business
Reference
TA 3246
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£100,000 - £130,000 per annum + equity, bonus and benefits
Location:
Derbyshire
Industry
Transport & Logistics
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£125,000 - £175,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin Executive Search is working with a Multisite Distribution business in their search of an accomplished CFO
Reference
TA 3243
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£180,000 - £200,000 per annum + Equity, Bonus and Benefits
Location:
England
Industry
Professional Services
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£175,000 - £250,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin executive Search is working with an international PE-Backed Buy and Build Corporate Services Business.
Reference
TA 3244
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£150,000 - £175,000 per annum + equity, bonus and benefits
Location:
London
Industry
Technology
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£175,000 - £250,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin executive is working with a PE Backed, International Software business, going through a period of rapid organic growth
Reference
TA 3242
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£25,000 - £28,000 per annum
Location:
Birmingham, West Midlands
Industry
Property and Infrastructure
Qualification
None specified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£25,000 - £30,000
Job Discipline
Part Qualified & Transactional Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
After securing a new contract a housing association is looking for a new Accounts Receivable Clerk to join their Finance department. Needing someone experienced within Accounts Receivable clerk
Reference
BBBH180049
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Olivia BalnaveAuthor
Olivia BalnaveSalary:
£24,000 - £27,000 per annum
Location:
Birmingham, West Midlands
Industry
Property and Infrastructure
Qualification
None specified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£25,000 - £30,000
Job Discipline
Part Qualified & Transactional Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Are you in the market for a new role? Are you experienced within Accounts Payable? Specifically, within the housing sector?
Reference
BBBH180048
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Olivia BalnaveAuthor
Olivia BalnaveSalary:
£35,000 - £42,000 per annum
Location:
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Industry
Business Services
Qualification
Finalist / Newly qualified
Market
Financial Services
Salary
£40,000 - £50,000
Job Discipline
Newly Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of others? I'm working with a charity who are looking for a part-time Finance Manager.
Reference
BBBH180040
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Dean FollandAuthor
Dean Folland