Snakes and ladders? The differing career patterns of male and female accountants

It has been argued by Lepine (1992) and others that certain distinct career patterns are typical of the careers of women managers and that these may not correspond to a typical male model of a continuous, linear progression. Considers the career patterns of male and female accountants. It shows that male accountants are more likely than female accountants to follow a continuous linear path and that this type of career path has higher remuneration levels. This may partly explain differences in salary levels between male and female accountants but does not explain differences in salary levels found within particular career patterns. Assesses the effect of this cultural emphasis on those, both men and women, whose careers exhibit different characteristics.