Women left behind in accounting pay

Many young accountants believe they have equal chances when starting their careers. At first, both men and women aiming for leadership in accounting earn almost the same pay. But new data from CPA Canada shows a problem: as they move up in their careers, this equality fades.

CPA Canada’s 2025 compensation study found that new Chartered Professional Accountants in their first three years have similar median earnings. At this point, the profession seems fair, offering similar pay regardless of gender.

The pay gap grows with more experience. In the profession, men earn a median of $167,000, while women earn $139,000. For accountants with over three years of experience, men make $174,000, and women make $142,000.

The biggest gap is later in their careers. CPAs with 25 or more years of experience earn a median of $229,000 for men and $160,000 for women, a difference of over 30%.

Pamela Steer, president and Chief Executive Officer of CPA Canada, says the findings highlight a persistent challenge. While early career equality is encouraging, she notes that social expectations and career interruptions can still shape professional paths and limit women’s access to senior leadership.

In response, several major accounting firms in Canada have invested in programs designed to support women throughout their careers. Mentorship networks, sponsorship and leadership opportunities aim to help women move beyond mid-career barriers and into executive roles.

Programs such as mentorship and leadership initiatives are becoming increasingly common in the profession. Their goal is not only to promote equality, but also to make sure that women remain supported and visible as they advance.

The message for the accounting profession is clear. Early parity is meaningful, but long-term equality requires sustained commitment, structural support, and continued attention to the barriers that emerge over time.

Studies such as this serve as an important reminder that progress cannot be measured only at the starting line. True equity must be reflected in promotions, leadership opportunities, and compensation decades into a career.

As more organizations examine their data and expand their support systems, the hope is that the next generation of accountants will not face the same divide. Instead, equality will remain intact from the first promotion to the final stage of leadership role.

Achieving this outcome will require persistence from firms, professional boundaries, and leaders across the industry. Transparency in pay, mentorship for emerging professionals, and intentional leadership development may help ensure that, not gender, determines how far an accountant can rise.

The accounting field prides itself on fairness, precision, and accountability. Ensuring equal opportunity at every stage of a career is essential for building a profession that reflects the talent entering it today.

Closing this gap will define the profession’s next chapter for future accountants everywhere, especially for young women entering the field today.