The Changing Genderization of the Work Force

With the separation of bookkeeping from accounting, the (1)_____ for women bookkeepers dramatically increased, and (2)_____ 1930, over 60 percent of all bookkeepers (3)_____ women. A similar increase in the demand (4)_____ women accountants, however, did not occur. Although (5)_____ War II created some opportunities for women in (6)_____, at the start of the second half of the twentieth (7)_____, accounting still was not considered an appropriate (8)_____ for most women. In fact, in 1950, only 15 percent (9)_____of the more than 300,000 accountants in the United (10) _____were women. Moreover, less than 4 percent of college (11)_____ majoring in accounting then were women.

In the 1960s, social and legal (12)_____ began that ultimately provided opportunities for women in the (13)_____ of accounting. As these events occurred, the overall demand (14)_____ accounting services and accountants also greatly (15)_____. This demand became so large that the (16)_____ labor pool of men was not sufficient (17)_____ maintain the accounting work force. Concurrently, women (18)_____ in accounting increased dramatically from less than 5 (19)_____ of all accounting majors in 1960 to (20) _____ 50 percent in 1985. Given the increase (21)_____ women accounting majors and the inability of the traditional (22) _____ pool to meet the work force demand, (23) _____ (especially public accounting) increased the hiring of women. By 1990, women (24) _____ a majority of the accounting work force and (25) _____at the turn of the twenty-first century a greater number of women began to (26) _____ upper-level management positions in accounting.

2. Write a short essay of 200 words to expand on the following statement "Accountants help entities be successful, ethical, responsible participants in society."

3. Read the job ad published by a recruitment agency on their Internet site; then answer a few questions.

Job Title: Assistant Controller

Organization: iN DEMAND LLC

Fax: 646-638-8415

Email: resume@indemand.com

Address: New York, NY 10014

Seeking Assistant Controller …

Do you thrive in a fast paced environment? Are you an Accounting Manager looking for a fast track to the Controller’s office?

Have we got a job for you!

Description:

Department: Accounting

Reports To: Vice President, Controller

Responsibilities:

• Manage the financial accounting, accounts payable and payroll functions.

• Prepare timely and accurate monthly financial statements, flash reports and other financial analyses for presentation to senior management and the Board of Directors.

• Assist in the design and implementation of plans to continue the integration of our billing/royalty systems into our financial reporting processes.

• Ensure effective internal accounting controls.

• Work with finance team members in revenue accounting, royalty, billing and collections to ensure that these areas are properly reflected in our financial statements.

• Manage and review work produced by department staff members including payroll, monthly account analyses, vendor payment processing.

• Manage the year-end audit process for financial statements.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in accounting. CPA strongly preferred.

Minimum 4 years of accounting experience. Public accounting background and supervisory experience strongly preferred.

Skills required

Strong Excel, MS Word and PowerPoint skills required.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Excellent analytical skills.

Very detail-oriented and organized.

Strong supervisory/coaching skills.

Able to work independently and as part of a team.

Benefits:

In exchange for hard work, we offer a very competitive salary, outstanding benefits and fully paid insurance coverage. We are an equal opportunity employer.

To respond to this opportunity, please send your resume to: resume@indemand.com.

1) What position is advertised?

2) Who does this employee report to?

3) What personal characteristics must a candidate possess?

4) What educational background is required?

5) What functions is the Assistant Controller supposed to perform in this company?

6) Are any perks offered?

4. Imagine that you’ve read this ad and decided to apply. Write your CV and cover letter.

5. Suppose you were shortlisted for this position and invited for an interview. Study Interview Tips in Supplementary Reading to Unit 3 and get ready for the interview.

6. Act out the situation of interviewing a candidate for the above given vacancy.