UK accountants near top of international stress league
British accountants are more stressed about their job prospects and the economy than most of their international counterparts, according to a new survey
Almost nine out of ten UK accountancy and finance professionals questioned
said they were concerned about the health of the UK economy over the next 12
months, the survey by recruitment company Robert Half found.
Only respondents in Ireland were more downbeat than the British, with 90%
expressing concern about the economy there.
Job insecurity, worries about the economy and waning optimism about their
company’s prospects were the top concerns cited by more than 3,500 international
finance professionals in 14 countries.
Nearly half (49%) of British finance professionals said they were less
confident about the security of their own jobs compared to 12 months ago, and
76% said they were delaying plans to change jobs.
Just 57% of British respondents said they were optimistic about the future of
their own company.
Finance professionals in Dubai and Brazil were more upbeat, with 88% and 73%
respectively, saying they were optimistic about their company’s future.
Job prospects for UK accountants abroad are more encouraging. In Dubai and
New Zealand, where 36% and 31% of finance professionals respectively said their
companies would be hiring, job opportunities remain. Other countries that plan
to hire include Hong Kong (31%), Brazil (30%) and Singapore (19%).