How Do You Like Your Job?
6 in 10 CPAs say they're satisfied. But what if you're among the other 4? The seeds of dissatisfaction, stress and insecurity are ever-present, too.

If you're like many CPAs, you either love your job or hate it -- but, for certain, you're not indifferent.

"Great co-workers make coming to work enjoyable," said a staffer at a small local public accounting firm.

But for every CPA who rises in the morning eager to get to work, there may be almost as many who awake with dread.

"The negatives," according to a middle-manager at a large retailer, "are few or non-existent professional growth opportunities, the inefficient use of technology, and unwillingness to invest in upgrades or new enterprise solutions."

The comments are drawn from an informal canvass of Career Insider readers. Overall, 58 percent said they were "somewhat" or "very" satisfied with their jobs. Forty-one percent expressed dissatisfaction. And, at 2 percent, there was hardly a blip for the undecided.

But, perhaps importantly, 46 said their level of job satisfaction has decreased in the past year. For example, a senior executive at a large company explained the effect of new and irreconcilable pressures.

"Compliance with regulations and meeting analyst expectations are opposing forces," the executive said. "You cannot retain an adequate number of competent individuals to deal with your business and the ever-growing level of regulation, and make record profits at the same time."

On the other hand, 38 percent of respondents said their job-satisfaction levels had not changed in the past year, and 16 percent said satisfaction had increased.

One of those who is happier now than a year ago was a finance director, who said, "I work for a local government agency and derive satisfaction from helping make the community a better place."

Stress emerged as a key element in job satisfaction. For instance, 82 percent of CPAs said their job was "somewhat" or "very" stressful. Only 18 percent answered "not very" and no one said "not at all."

CPAs know well the toll that long hours and tough deadlines can take on their emotional lives. "I would rather spend more time with my children," said a middle manager in government.

Finally, the study examined issues of job security, finding that about two-thirds of CPAs generally feel safe in their jobs.

Some 64 percent, for instance, "somewhat" or "strongly" agree with the proposition "I have a strong sense of job security." About 20 percent seem to fear for their jobs.

The full story appears the latest Career Insider.