Fed: Unrewarded accountants have had enough

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2010
Fed: Unrewarded accountants have had enough

Eds: Embargoed until 0001 AEST Wednesday, April 21



By Colin Brinsden

CANBERRA, April 21 AAP - A major revolt appears to be stirring among finance and accounting
staff across the nation that could threaten a mass exodus from the industry, a new survey
has found.

The research by financial recruitment firm Robert Half found that 50 per cent of finance
and accountancy staff planned to quit their jobs, and were either already seeking a new
job or thinking about taking the plunge.

The survey of 330 respondents from finance, accounting and HR professionals found that
90 per cent of employers did not introduce retention packages for key staff during the
economic downturn, a major reason for the planned exit of staff.

"We are currently experiencing a major increase in the number of finance staff looking
at their options," Robert Half director Andrew Brushfield said, releasing the survey on
Wednesday.

"They've been sitting tight for some time, working harder and working longer but their
efforts have been unrewarded and in many cases unnoticed."

The survey found 68 per cent of respondents indicated they had experienced a decline
in working conditions in the past 12 months, working longer hours and experiencing more
stress.

Fifty-eight per cent of finance workers said they had not taken their annual leave
in the past 12 months, with 46 per cent per cent saying this was because of a heavy workload.

A quarter said they had taken sick days when they weren't sick, mainly because they
couldn't face going to work, while 12 per cent said there was too much stress in the office.

"Given the turnaround in the economy, if employers are serious about staff retention,
they need to start putting strategies in place now to keep their star performers on board,"

Mr Brushfield warned.

This would include creating a less stressful workplace, encouraging professional development
and introducing reward systems and financial incentives.

"Where employers have lacked in the last six to 12 months is in giving recognition
where recognition is due," he said.

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KEYWORD: ACCOUNTANTS (EMBARGOED)

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