Abbott Stringham & Lynch Named to Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance and AWSCPA 2015 Best Public Accounting Firms for Women

San Jose, CA. (June 3, 2015) — In its sixth year, the 2015 Accounting MOVE Project reports a significant boost in the proportion of women partners and principals at the 47 CPA firms participating in the project—an average of 22%, up from 17% five years ago. The bar is rising for all firms, but with women comprising 46% of its ownership, Abbott Stringham & Lynch more than exceeded that threshold, earning a spot on the Equity Leadership List. The Accounting MOVE Project Equity Leadership list recognizes firms with at least 31% female partners and principals. Based on Accounting MOVE Project research, it is released annually by the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA) and American Women’s Society of CPAs (AWSCPA).

Long term ASL principal, Sheba Dalaney, cited the firm’s culture for its high proportion of women in leadership. “Several of our principals have been consistently recognized for their outstanding leadership, such as the YWCA’s Tribute to Women and Industry awards in 2013 and 2014 respectively. This year, one of our principals was awarded as a Woman of Influence by the Silicon Valley Business Journal,” she said. “These recognitions reflect the accomplishments of women who have invested their careers at ASL historically and help develop our future women.”

Top Trends From the 2015 Accounting MOVE Project

  • Pay equity is the topic that won’t go away. Celebrities and politicians are advocating for pay equity transparency and accountability. Firms have a chance to make pay equity a point of strength and trust.
  • CPA firms are inviting millennials to join senior staff in networking and business development training, in turn making those processes more democratic.
  • Firms that have gained momentum in their advancement of women use their women’s initiatives as strategic growth drivers.

“Women are a differentiating factor for firms competing intensely for new clients,” said Joanne Cleaver, president of Wilson-Taylor Associates, Inc., the content and communications firm that manages the Accounting MOVE Project. “Most employers are concerned with advancing women, and they want to do business with CPA firms that share those values.”

About Abbott, Stringham & Lynch (ASL)

Abbott, Stringham & Lynch (ASL), founded in 1977, is one of the leading local CPA firms in the Silicon Valley. ASL provides emerging and mid-market private companies and their executives with accounting and audit, tax, estate and wealth planning, and consulting services. ASL’s clients include construction, technology, non-profit and real estate businesses among others. ASL is a member of PKF North America and PKF International, a network of independent CPA firms.

About American Women’s Society of Certified Public Accounts (AWSCPA)

AWSCPA is a national organization founded in 1933 dedicated to serving all women CPAs. The AWSCPA provides a supportive environment and valuable resources for members to achieve their personal and professional goals through various opportunities including leadership, networking and education. As the only resource exclusively for women CPAs and those aspiring to become certified, the society provides information as well as scholarships to those in the profession. The society is a leader in addressing concerns such as gender equity, the glass ceiling, and work and family issues. AWSCPA members—from individual practitioners to professionals in industry, academia, and government, as well as partners in all of the largest firms—work in all segments of the accounting and financial professions. Visit the AWSCPA website at www.awscpa.org or call the society’s office at 800-AWSCPA1 (800-297-2721).

Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA)

The Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance promotes the professional growth of women in accounting and finance. Members of the association benefit from opportunities to connect with colleagues, advance their careers, and become industry leaders. For 75 years, the organization has proudly upheld its mission to enable women in all accounting and related fields to achieve their full personal, professional and economic potential, and to contribute to the future development of their profession. Visit www.afwa.org for more information.