As part of our November 2012 women's issue, Jobpostings profiled several of Canada's top employers to find out how female-friendly they really are. First on our bucket list was Ernst & Young, one of the Big Four accounting firms. Here, we caught up with Fiona Macfarlane, Managing Partner, British Columbia and Chief Inclusiveness Officer, to ask her why they value diversity and, more importantly, what Ernst & Young is doing about it. Read on.

Tell us a little bit more about Ernst & Young.

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 167,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

So, why's it important for Ernst & Young to promote equality in the workplace?

At Ernst & Young, we believe that leveraging a diverse team is crucial to helping our clients navigate their changing challenges and opportunities. By bringing together people from all different backgrounds, with varying experiences and perspectives, we're able to develop the best solutions. That's how we make a difference for our clients.

Fair enough. But put your money where your mouth is'does Ernst & Young have any programs specifically meant to support women in their career development?

EYU'Ernst & Young University'is a program that systematically gives employees a diverse array of experiences in the firm, and provides men and women with equal opportunity for development.

Our Professional Women's Network helps women to build skills, leadership opportunities and internal and external networks ÔÇô leading to satisfying careers and increased levels of success for the women and the firm. 

What advice would you give to young women planning on entering (and developing a successful career) in the workforce? 

Strive to fulfill your potential, not just your job description. Get a sponsor who can help make sure your accomplishments are known and seen by decision makers; when you get noticed, you build your profile. Choose an organization that values diversity. For example, women make up 23 per cent of Ernst & Young's executive management committee in Canada. And in 2012, 29 per cent of our new partners are women.

Pay it forward. As your career progresses, coach, mentor and sponsor other young women and pass on insights about what you learn.