To address this issue, the AICPA Work Life & Women's Initiatives Executive Committee released a free brochure -- Guide to Building a Successful Off-Ramping Program (PDF) -- to help employers keep off-ramped individuals connected to the organization.

Ninety-three percent of women who off-ramp will return to the workforce, having left it for an average 2.2 years, according to the AICPA. However, returning to work can be a challenging endeavor, with just 40 percent returning full-time, and just 5 percent returning to their previous employer.

Organizations in the finance, accounting and consulting industries need to focus their energies on the attraction and retention of women professionals, the guidebook states, because by 2008 women will make up 48 percent of the workforce. Also, 60 percent of students enrolling in accounting programs are women.

The guidebook covers six strategies for implementing an off-ramp program: supply technology; offer training; communicate via different channels; provide networking opportunities; provide support circles with other parents and people who have chosen to off-ramp; and facilitate the on-ramping process when people choose to return to work

In addition to the PDF version, a hard copy of the 16-page brochure is available by email request: womensinitiatives@aicpa.org.