A collection of books, articles and guides on topics of interest to women working in business and accountancy.
Online books, guides and publications
eBooks
The library provides full text access to a selection of key business and reference eBooks from leading publishers.
Assert yourself: How to find your voice and make your mark
Rooney, Kathy (A & C Black, 2006)
Book containing practical advice on how to change the way you work and live for the better. It contains a quiz to assess strengths and weaknesses plus frequently asked questions about approaching the challenge of developing assertiveness.
Women leading
Hayward, Sue (Palgrave Macmillan, 2005)
This book looks at women as leaders at all levels within organisations and in all aspects of their lives. It discusses taking conscious and purposeful decisions rather than adopting a supporting role. The author focuses in particular on women creating their own style of leadership and employing different skills to men.
You will need to be logged-in to the website to read these eBooks.
Checklists
The How to do it guides from BHP Information Solutions are a collection of checklists providing a step by step approach to key business issues.
See more checklists on women in business.
Disclaimer: These publications from BHP Information Solutions Limited are for general guidance only, for businesses in the United Kingdom governed by the laws of England. BHP Information Solutions Limited, expert contributors and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (as distributor) disclaim all liability for any errors or omissions.
Online articles
The library provides access to a range of articles in full text from leading business, finance and management journals.
You will need to be logged-in to the website to gain full access to the range of articles available online.
Useful links
ICAEW
Women in Leadership
Leadership programme developed to support women in finance working across practice, industry or the public sector aiming for director, partner or senior management roles.
Guides, publications and research
The business case for women’s economic empowerment (PDF 1.03mb/19 pages)
Report published in February 2012 as part of the OECD Gender initiative, which looks at latest developments in the level of female representation in business. The report highlights several reasons why companies should be interested in enhancing the role of women within their organisation. It also gives information on recent policy initiatives to increase female representation on company boards.
Visions of Britain 2020: Working women (PDF 518KB/28 pages)
Report published in July 2011 by Friends Life and the Future Foundation as part of the Visions of Britain 2020 series. The report discusses the challenges experienced by working women and examines 'whether recent initiatives by both the Government and the private sector to remove the glass ceiling have changed expectations among working women regarding future career opportunities and workplace equality.'
Past perspectives, future change: A study into the experiences of senior women in financial services
Report published in March 2011 by executive search firm Odgers Berndtson and corporate leadership experts Muika Leadership. The study, which is based on interviews with over 100 women in leading roles in the UK financial services industry, provides information and analysis that can be used by companies to address gender imbalance.
The gender dividend: Making the business case for investing in women
This report was published in 2011 by Deloitte as the first in a series of reports aiming to examine successful models for investing in women. The report 'lays out the rationale behind why governments and organisations must look to women as key to their economic growth.'
Sex and power (EHRC)
Survey from the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission on women in positions of power and influence. You can access the 2011 survey and results from previous years.
Representation of women and men in business and government: Public attitudes and perceptions (PDF 467kb/37 pages)
Results of a survey published by the Government Equalities Office in March 2010. The aim of the survey was to explore public attitudes in the UK towards the representation of women and men in public institutions and in business.
Inquiry into sex discrimination in the finance sector (EHRC)
Research report from the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission published in March 2009. The study surveys the pay, policies and practices of organisations within the financial services sector.
Women of ICAS reaching the top: The demise of the glass ceiling
Summary of research published in 2007 which evaluates the extent the glass ceiling remains a phenomenon for female Scottish chartered accountants. The full report (PDF 2.4MB/242 pages) is also available to download.
Centre for Women in Business
London Business School initiative aiming to develop academic research and research-related activities and be the centre of knowledge and best practice for women in business across Europe. Articles, working papers and reports are available on the site.
Catalyst
Organisation working globally to expand opportunities for women and business. The website provides access to research reports on a range of gender and diversity issues.
Center for Women's Business Research (US)
Provides facts and statistics about women business owners and their enterprises worldwide.
Women in business (Startups)
Online resource for SMEs produced by publisher Crimson Business which provides information, articles and news on business networking, funding for women in business and support for female entrepreneurs.
Women at the Top (FT)
This project, initiated by the Financial Times, provides "coverage and debate about the role of women in business, their increasing participation in global economic growth and legacy of innovation in the emerging world." It includes articles, polls, interactive features and forums, as well as exclusive video interviews with the world’s top female business leaders.
Organisations and networks
Government Equalities Office
Department of the Home Office responsible for equalities legislation and policy in the UK. Site includes research, publications and statistical information on women in work.
British Association of Women Entrepreneurs
Non-profit professional organisation for UK based women business owners.
Prowess
Network of organisations and individuals aiming to support the growth of women's business ownership. Access case studies, useful facts and figures, newsletters and publications (registration required to view some content).
Women in Business
Business support network for women established in 1994.
1230 The Women's Company
Network of meetings and events for business women to help and support each other to grow their businesses.
Women in Rural Enterprise
Network and club for business women in the rural sector. Access news, information about events and the WIRE directory which details members' businesses, success stories, regional contacts and useful links.
See also
We also maintain web pages on women in the boardroom and leadership.
Articles and books in the Library collection
To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to book loans.
You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports by post, fax or email through our document delivery service.
Can't find what you're looking for?
If you have any difficulty in finding the material you are looking for please contact the enquiry team by phone on +44 (0)20 7920 8620, by fax on +44 (0)20 7920 8621 or by email at library@icaew.com.
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