Abstract
Information Communication Technology (ICT) has infiltrated every aspect of our lives both our work and personal domains. The success of modern organisations is increasingly due to the advancements in ICT. The rise in globalisation and increased use of ICT has resulted in having an organisational culture which is very connected to technological devices and might find it difficult to disconnect from work. This phenomenon can have a detrimental effect on the work-life balance of employees, and even more unfavourable when considering gender as well. This paper aims to explore the impact of ICT on the work-life balance of Accountants in South Africa and the added role of gender in influencing the accountants’ work-life balance. This study was conducted using a qualitative research methodology. The data in this study was gathered by conducting 10 semi-structured interviews from South African accountants both male and female. The data collected in this study was analysed using the thematic analysis process in which, four themes with corresponding sub-themes emerged: ICT and the constant connectedness affect work-life balance, working from home effects on the work-life balance, effects of ICT and working from home on accountants’ well-being, and lastly work-life balance and experience of accountants from a gendered perspective. The finding of the study illustrates that ICT has both negative and positive effects, majority of the participants felt the improvement in ICT has had a negative impact on their work-life balance and women felt that their work-life balance was poorer due to difficulty disconnecting from work and the added responsibility of being perceived as home-makers. Compared to male accountants, female accountants faced significant challenges in an attempt to achieve a work-life balance and still advance in their careers. The recommendations of the study are for organisations to implement policies intended to reduce excessive use of ICT after work hours and managers should have realistic expectations of the amount of work they require from their subordinates. The findings of this study will contribute to providing useful insight into the accounting profession and to fill a gap in research.