Fifty-seven percent of accountants say they plan to stay with their current employer once the economy improves, but 23 percent intend to look for a new job when the economy rebounds.
The survey, by staffing company Ajilon Finance and the Institute of Management Accountants, polled 458 accountants on their career plans. When asked where they see themselves in five years, 44 percent of the accountants anticipate serving in a more senior role at their current company, while 25 percent said they see themselves at another company in five years.
Despite the deterioration of the overall job market over the past year, accountants are still in great demand nationwide, said Ajilon Finance senior vice president Jodi Chavez in a statement. That said, there is still a strong core of highly skilled accounting professionals available for hire. Companies that are gearing up for the transition to International Financial Reporting Standards, the implementation of XBRL-tagged financial statements or even just for the coming tax season should take the opportunity now to snap up top accounting talent while it is available.
Ajilon recommends that firms use incentives such as flexible work hours and arrangements to retain staff. To recruit younger talent, the company also suggests using Web services such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
