Job satisfaction of ‘new breed of accountants’ at all time high
Accountants continue to be the most trusted source for business advice, relegating even banks and management consultants to the lower ranks, according to the latest Pulse survey from Sage (UK) Limited. Echoing the findings from last year’s survey in which independent business leaders classed accountants as the most valuable counsel, this year more than a third of practitioners (35%) agree that they are the first port of call for advice for their clients’ businesses.
As a direct result of their status, job satisfaction amongst accountants has reached an all time high with 86% not having any plans to change careers over the next five years. Corresponding to this trend, and possibly driven by the current economic climate and a general strive towards a greater work/life balance, fewer accountants (31%) would set up their own business right now given the chance, compared to 47% who were ready to do so twelve months ago.
The survey, which was commissioned to uncover the current attitudes and perceptions of accountants in practice - from technological advancements to their own behaviours and ambitions - also reveals a truly connected workforce which has fully embraced digital working practices. With just over two years to go until the Carter Report comes into full effect, less than one in ten accountants (6%) has never completed any online filing. At the same time 62% of those questioned admit to being on social networking sites such as Facebook. However, less than a fifth (19%) regularly visit work related sites including HRMC or industry bodies including CIMA.
“After identifying a new breed of accountants last year, we can now see a ‘Facebook generation’ of accountants who have become increasingly tech savvy, getting more and more comfortable with technology in the workplace as well as in private”, comments Managing Director of Sage’s Accountants’ Division, Greg Ford. “This can only be a good thing as the industry gets ready to fully implement the government guidelines resulting from the Carter Report.”
Indeed, 2008’s new breed of accountant is a truly connected workforce with 29% of respondents always carrying a laptop around (interestingly, the same number always carry around an iPod) and a further 27% carry a Blackberry, a smartphone/PDA or a digital camera. Equipped with this array of technology it is not surprising that over half of respondents (59%) are working remotely, at least occasionally. This is a particularly strong trend amongst the more seasoned practitioners in the 55 to 64 age bracket where 29 percent frequently work on the move (compared to only 14 percent of 35 to 44 year olds), although this might be explained by their naturally higher level of client liaison outside the office.
