Accountants waiting for better times to take new role

Half of the profession is lining up a new job when the economy stabilises.

Many were also prepared to move with a pay cut, according to the survey of 220 industry professionals by Martin Ward Anderson.

Nearly two thirds (61%) of respondents would consider a role that paid less than their current or most recent position.

“It might seem counter-intuitive that such a high proportion of employed accountants plan to look for a new job and would be prepared to receive significantly reduced levels of remuneration. However, the reality is that many of these people have been expected to do considerably more work by their employers during the recession, and have little loyalty to their current workplace," said Paul Robinson, director of Martin Ward Anderson.