International taxation continues to be in a period of extreme change. Recommendations from the OECD's BEPS project are changing laws in countries around the world and multiple jurisdictions are seeking to modernise their tax systems while getting increasingly aggressive in their tax collection tactics against multinationals. As this landscape develops, tax advisory and the individuals who work in it are in massive demand. This is why female advisers need a platform to demonstrate their contribution to the advisory field.
The past year has seen many women breaking the glass ceiling. Hillary Clinton became the first woman to run for the US presidency and Theresa May became only the second UK female prime minister. On a global scale, the number of women on the board of big businesses is growing, and some are even getting paid better than their male counterparts. However, these successes are still not as common as we would hope and the positives are often overshadowed by issues affecting women such as, for example, gender pay gaps. Moreover, US President Donald Trump appears to have left women entrepreneurs and professionals out of discussions to overhaul the country's tax legislation.
Our intention with this guide is to shine the light on the women who are taking strides in their fields. We want to show the progress that is being made already, but also that this development needs to continue for women in what is perceived as a male-dominated industry.
This guide is only in its third year, but the interest in it has grown in terms of firms and clients keen to nominate the female advisers who are making an impact in their specialised jurisdictions and industries. The women listed are clearly leaders in tax and we hope to continue highlighting their excellence.
Methodology
Inclusion in the Women in Tax Leaders guide will be based on a minimum number of nominations received from peers and clients, along with evidence of outstanding success in the past year. Firms and individuals cannot pay to be recommended in this guide
Anjana Haines
Editor, International Tax Review
