Gender counts: “work”, “life” and identity in accounting practice and education

Purpose – This paper aims to introduce a special issue, consisting of a selection of papers on the subject of gender, paid employment and life issues in accounting practice and education. Design/methodology/approach – The paper identifies relationships between work, life and identity in accounting practice and education. Findings – The paper finds that the vast majority of those taking up WLB initiatives are women, who organize their paid work around the needs of their children. Originality/value – The paper raises challenging and perhaps demoralizing questions and it is hoped that it goes some way to reinvigorating discussions and debates around the work‐life intersection in accounting practice and academia.