New survey reveals what accountants love most about their work

In a new survey published by Robert Half Finance & Accounting, accounting and finance professionals said that solving problems (41 percent) gives them the most satisfaction in their careers, ahead of working with numbers (22 percent) and making strategic recommendations for the business at hand (17 percent). 

The online survey was developed and conducted by Robert Half Finance & Accounting, the world’s first and largest specialized financial recruitment service. It includes responses from more than 2,600 finance and accounting professionals in the United States.

Finance and accounting professionals were asked, “What part of working in the accounting and finance profession do you enjoy the most?” Their responses were as follows:

“Accountants are key success drivers for their businesses, and they contribute more than many people presume,” said Paul McDonald, senior executive director for Robert Half, in a statement. “Accounting and finance teams are responsible for accurate financial reporting, but they also help to ensure their organizations remain in regulatory compliance, identify growth opportunities and provide strategic guidance from the department level to the executive ranks.” 

McDonald also pointed out that the volume of information now available to businesses increases an accountant’s value even further. “Accounting and finance professionals regularly mine data to identify historical trends and make projections based on those findings," he continued. "They also can uncover potential areas for concern and put their problem-solving skills to work in the process.”

For the full report, head to the press release here.