Over a third of accountants considering leaving the profession in next five years, citing work-life balance issues

Over a third (36%) of accountants are considering leaving the profession in the next five years, including 30% of under 25s, new data from cloud pre-accounting platform Dext has revealed. This is particularly concerning as the number of accountancy students has decreased in recent years.

Dext surveyed 250 accountants and bookkeepers across the UK to determine accountant attitudes towards the profession and what they need to be happier in their roles. When looking at reasons why respondents are planning to leave the profession, the majority are planning to move to another industry or undertake a complete career change (21%).

Surprisingly, when looking at the specific demographics of those wanting to leave the profession, 24% of respondents aged 25-44 are leaving due to a lack of healthy work/life balance. Twenty two percent of those with children are looking to leave for the same reason. For over 55s, while the majority (67%) are leaving due to retirement, a third 33% are planning to leave the accounting sector to join a new industry.

Although the majority of respondents enjoy their role (90%), 56% feel they spend too much time completing manual tasks. With 26-50% of tasks currently automated, respondents believe that this will increase to up to 75% in ten years. When asked what the accountants of the future would value most, the majority believe it is the better adoption of technology.

However, a recent Dext survey at Accountex London found that out of four ‘digital personality’ types, the majority of respondents are Digital Champions, who are confident with technology and use accounting software and automation tools effectively. The aptitude for technology is therefore apparent within the industry, and with the next generation of accountants being the most tech-savvy generation the industry has seen, technology will be important for the retention of accountants.

Sabby Gill, CEO of Dext, commented: “Accountants are vital for supporting entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes, yet many are leaving because of work/life balance issues. Unfortunately too much of an accountant’s role is still completed manually, meaning that they cannot optimise their time as much as they need to. Although it is positive that automation is likely to increase in the next ten years, that will be too late for many accountants who are planning to leave the industry long before then. It’s also concerning that many leaving for work/life balance reasons are parents, as a lack of optimised tasks is pushing this demographic from the accounting profession. It simply doesn’t need to be this way.”

When asked why they joined the accountancy profession, most (53%) joined due to opportunities for career progression, followed by an interest in maths and accounting (52%). Thirty four percent joined because it is a well-respected profession.

“While tech adoption in accounting has come a long way, it still has a way to go. Technology and automation must be prioritised in the industry, otherwise the UK risks losing key talent to other industries”, Gill concluded.

For more information about Dext, visit the website here.

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