Over the past 20 years, the number of women entering the accounting profession has grown to 56 percent. Their entry into the partner and leadership ranks has not mirrored this progress, in part because their rainmaking skills have not evolved as fast. What's held them back and how can they catch up?

A Personal Story

I don't often share the story of how I came to appreciate rainmaking, but I think my experience and reactions will resonate with those of other women. It starts in college where I fell in love... with professional accounting, and was delighted to join a Big 8 firm as an auditor following graduation. I worked hard and my work was well received. I had a natural curiosity for the client's business.

This led to questions and discussions with clients. However, if the senior felt I had too much interaction or communication with my clients, I would be gently reprimanded. I'd receive a figurative slap on the head and would be counseled to get my head back into the general ledger where it belonged.

But, curious young thing that I was, I found myself wanting to do what the partners were doing. I may not have known the term at the time, but they were making rain, and getting wet looked like fun to me.

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