Stories of Women Who Lead in Accounting | Women's Day 2025

She Balances the Books: Real journeys of women leading in accounting

Women in accounting are rewriting the rules every day, showing that strength, skill, and leadership aren’t just inherited—they’re built together. The roundtable conversation hosted by Zoho brought three impressive professionals into the spotlight: CA Rupali Bothara, Dr. CA CMA CS Divya Abhishek, and CA Nikita Punjabi. Their stories spark hope, dismantle stereotypes, and light the path for the next generation.

Women empowerment in accounting isn’t an isolated effort. It’s a collective push for human rights, where every woman who steps up brings others with her. The heart of progress is simple—financial independence. When women learn, share, and lead, entire families and communities rise with them.

Turning “No” into “why not?”: How they chose accounting

Each panelist faced pressure to follow traditional paths, especially in choosing higher studies. Parents sometimes pushed for science, questioning a girl’s choice to pursue commerce or accountancy.

A common thread running through their stories is the initial skepticism they faced from family about pursuing a career in accounting, especially as women. Yet, they each had supportive champions—like encouraging fathers or trailblazing aunts—who broke the mold and believed in their potential. Their journeys were also shaped by a growing love for math, numbers, and structured thinking, often nurtured within families that had strong professional or academic backgrounds.

These stories show that the right encouragement at the right moment changes everything.

Passion for numbers: Growth over time

Loving numbers wasn’t always instant. For Dr. Divya Abhishek, math was always around thanks to her family’s dinnertime discussions. Over the years, curiosity grew into comfort, and then into joy.

“Passion might be overrated—it grows with experience. What matters is loving what you do and helping others unlock their independence,” Abhishek shared.

Breaking into a male-dominated field

Accounting, despite progress, often gets labeled as a “man’s world.” The panelists boldly named real obstacles:

• Confidence can fade when industry leaders expect men at the table.
• A strong support system is essential post-marriage or after childbirth.
• Societal expectations often limit women’s choices or create career gaps.

The message was clear: Barriers are everywhere, but so are the solutions.

Opening doors: Empowering women through practice

The panelists use their success to lift other women. They hire mothers looking to restart careers, mentor juniors, and run workshops for financial basics. Each step chips away at the old view of accounting as a men-only territory.

Ways they support others:

• Hiring women returning after career breaks
• Offering mentorship and career counseling sessions
• Leading professional committees focused on women’s empowerment
• Hosting financial literacy workshops for homemakers

Changing the numbers: More women in accounting institutes

Enrollment and graduation rates for women in the ICAI, ICSI, and CMA institutes have nearly doubled in recent years. Where there was once just 8% women’s enrollment, now the figure climbs to over 45% in many regions.

Stat box:
ICAI Women’s Enrollment, 2001: 8%
ICAI Women’s Enrollment, 2024: 45%+

Pass rates also reflect this positive trend. Institutes now run outreach campaigns in smaller towns, showing young women how accessible these careers are.

Mindset is the real barrier

The hardest walls aren’t always outside—they’re inside. Many women feel hesitation about stepping up or speaking out, whether representing clients before tax authorities or simply joining a sports team for the first time.

It’s all in your mind. But mindsets can be challenged and changed.

Taking control of finances

A strong theme from the discussion: true empowerment starts with personal finances. Many women, especially in traditional households, leave money matters to fathers or husbands. When crisis strikes, they find themselves lost.

Teaching girls and women financial basics isn’t just smart—it’s necessary. It brings control, dignity, and the power to shape life on their own terms.

Financial literacy: Simple steps with big impact

Panelists described teaching finance workshops in women’s colleges and for homemakers.

Core topics covered:

• How to budget
• Saving for future needs
• Understanding investment options
• Decoding taxes and filings

Even understanding the basics gives women a practical toolkit for independence.

Making professional courses accessible

Accountancy careers like CA, CMA, and CS do not demand high fees or elite college seats. Girls can enroll after 12th grade, often through remote study or local centers. Institutes and organizations now run awareness programs in villages and small towns, supported by online videos and digital resources.

Balancing career, family, and social norms

Many women leave or pause their careers when marriage or children come, often driven by a sense of duty or pressure from families. Dr. CA CMA CS Divya Abhishek repeated important advice:

“Don’t leave before you leave.”

Stay in the race. Don’t step back just because something might happen. When the time comes, you’ll find a way.

Family support, understanding employers, and new technology like remote work make a real difference—without them, many would have given up.

Studying and working while pregnant: Real stories

CA Rupali Bothara shared how she cleared CA finals while pregnant and caring for a newborn.

“I cleared my first group when I was five months pregnant, and my second when my daughter was just a month old. My family said: Focus on your studies; we’ll handle the rest.”

Stories like this aren’t just inspiring—they show what’s possible with the right mix of willpower and support.

Small steps, big changes

“Success doesn’t happen overnight,” says CA Nikita Punjabi. Whether it’s starting a YouTube channel, joining a professional group, or clearing one exam at a time—every small step lays the foundation for something bigger.

Celebrate the small wins:

• Passing a key exam
• Landing your first job
• Mentoring another woman
• Speaking at a workshop

Breakthroughs may take time, but it’s consistency that builds a lasting foundation.

Technology: A new path to inclusion

Cloud accounting, flexible tools like Zoho Books, and remote teamwork are changing the rules. Now, mothers can work from home with teams across cities. Skilled accountants don’t need to move after marriage or pause careers for childcare.

Key benefits:

• Cloud accounting tools enable work from anywhere
• Remote teams mean locations are not barriers
• Flexibility opens doors for more women

Solutions like Zoho’s remote work tools give professionals new freedom.

Accelerate action: Steps toward progress

On Women’s Day, the panel took the theme “Accelerate Action” seriously. They urged everyone to move past talk and act now, even in small ways.

Action steps for readers:

• Take the first step—apply, enroll, start something new.
• Stay consistent, even if progress is slow.
• Reach out for mentorship and offer it to others.
• Use available tech to build skills or stay connected.

Confidence, resilience, and commitment matter most. Don’t wait for perfect timing.

Shifting mindsets: Start young

Raising girls and boys without bias changes everything. Panelists stressed that upbringing and early education matter most. When kids grow up seeing equality at home, they never doubt their potential. The change starts there.

Building connections: The power of networking

Groups like FICCI FLO Chennai, mentorship programs, and online communities provide vital encouragement for women accountants. Sharing stories, resources, and contacts creates a tribe of support.

Benefits of networking and mentorship:

• Shared knowledge and resources
• New career opportunities
• Confidence to face challenges
• Lifelong friendships and peer support

Closing thoughts: Move boldly forward

The roundtable ended with this call by Abhishek. Start today. Don’t let fear, self-doubt, or tradition hold you back. Bounce back after setbacks. Community and self-belief can drive change.

“Believe in yourself and take the first step. You don’t need to have it all planned—just begin.”

Let these stories spark your next move, whether it’s building your financial knowledge, restarting a career, or reaching out to mentor someone in need.