Accountancy gender pay gap revealed - graduate jobs

Female graduates looking to enter the accountancy profession may be put off by figures showing the gender pay gap among accountants is up to 50%.

A study by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales found that even though female accountants were given a bigger wage rise last year they still earned less than their male counterparts.

Figures show the average basic salary for a male chartered accountant was more than £88,000, compared with £60,500 for women.

The report also claims that men in the profession received higher bonuses last year at 28% of the average salary, compared with 19% for women.

A spokesman said: "Whilst some of the difference in salaries between genders can be attributed to the fact that the average male accountant tends to be older and longer qualified than their female counterparts, the study does highlight a disparity that needs to be addressed."

However, he said that the gender pay gap does seem to be narrowing as a result of the recession as the salaries of top earners level off, allowing women to catch up.