A THIRD of women working in the finance industry believed there was a glass ceiling holding them back from top jobs, according to a new report.

One in five men agreed there were barriers to women progressing and said there were significant challenges to overcome.

A survey of 1,200 workers for Accountancy Age magazine and recruitment firm Robert Half Finance and Accounting showed that more women than ever were entering the finance profession, despite evidence of a culture that hindered their chances of promotion.

Steve Carter, managing director of Robert Half Finance, agreed that a glass ceiling existed, but he predicted that it would be broken in the next five to ten years.