SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTING PROFESSION: A REVISIT

Abstract

This article revisits sexual harassment in public accounting. Stanko and Schneider (1999) conducted the first national survey on sexual harassment in the public accounting profession. The study was designed to 1) determine the extent of sexual harassment in the public accounting profession, 2) identify the types of sexual harassing behavior that were most common, 3) uncover where incidents of sexual harassment generally occurred, and 4) establish whether respondent’s differed on the definition and characteristics of sexual harassment. Both research studies surveyed American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) female accounting professionals. The findings show sexual harassment remains a serious concern. Perhaps the sexual harassment training programs that have been recently developed are not working as well as intended, suggesting that public accounting firms need to revisit this issue to manage the related risk.