September 2000

Women CPAs Discuss Career Paths

On May 3, 2000, a diverse group of women CPAs gathered at the Penn Club for a breakfast forum sponsored by the NYSSCPA Advancement of Women in the Accounting Profession Committee on professional issues faced by women in the accounting profession.

The forum opened with the address of keynote speaker Paula Nelson of the Paula Nelson Group. A financial commentator who has appeared on CNN and The Today Show and an entrepreneur and author of four books, including Book-of-the-Month Club selection Joy of Money, Nelson spoke about the obstacles that women must overcome in order to achieve success.

Nelson's speech was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Ramona Perry-Jones, the staff coordinator of the AICPA work/life balance and family issues initiative. Ellen H. Auster, a principal at Deloitte & Touche LLP; Jo Ann Fleming of Jo Ann Fleming CPA; Jill A. Harris, assistant vice-president of Primedia; and Jill Zelenko, COO and CFO of En Trust Capital, were the panel speakers who discussed their individual experiences, and offered practical guidance on how to handle the challenges faced by women professionals.

For more information about similar programs that address women and workplace issues, contact FAE Education Coordinator Lelia Dickenson at (212) 719-8366, (800) NYSSCPA (697-7272), or ldickenson@nysscpa.org.