Kvinders karrierevej til partnerstillinger i revision i Big-4 organisationer

Abstract

This thesis aims to investigate and shed light on the existence of structural and invisible barriers hindering women's advancement to partner positions within the Danish Big-4 audit industry. The research delves into the current landscape of gender disparity at the highest echelons of the industry and examines the factors contributing to the underrepresentation of women among partners. This study adopts a qualitative methodology, relying exclusively on in-depth interviews with 11 auditors working in the Danish Big-4 audit industry, spanning from manager to partner roles. This study offers valuable insights into the lived experiences, challenges, and perceptions of these individuals as they navigate their careers within this competitive and traditionally male-dominated field. The Big-4 audit industry in Denmark currently exhibits a pronounced gender imbalance among its partner ranks, with a significant majority being male. This gender disparity prompts a critical examination of the industry's culture, practices, and policies, with the overarching goal of identifying and understanding the various barriers that obstruct women's advancement to the partner level.
The findings from this research are that structural and cultural barriers as well as motivational factors all are components in which we see obstacles towards further representation of female partners, specifically within the context of the auditing profession in Big-4 organizations in Denmark. By shedding light on both the visible and subtle factors impeding women's career progression, this study strives to inform how these factors can be seen in an organizational setting, and when it occurs. Ultimately, it endeavors to challenge and dismantle the glass ceiling that inhibits women's advancement to partner positions in this industry.