Are Auditors Feeling the Burn? Job Burnout Among Staff and Senior Auditors

• In Event: Breakfast with Research Roundtable Forum Session
  In Paper Session: Roundtable 5: Public Interest & Auditing

Abstract

It is well known that public accounting firms, especially the large, multinational Big 4 firms, require audit personnel to work long, arduous hours in a high-pressure atmosphere. After approximately two to four years, which is the period during which most staff-level auditors will be promoted to the senior position, it is common that auditors will transition to smaller public accounting firms or leave public accounting altogether for a position in industry, citing becoming “burnt out” due to the extensive hours, travel requirements, and other job specific-related stress. Prevalent in the auditing literature, burnout has shown to result in increased turnover intention, poor job performance, and lower job satisfaction. However, Social Exchange Theory (SET) literature has found that employees who perceive their employer, supervisor, and coworkers as supportive to their wellbeing will demonstrate increased commitment to their employer resulting in lower levels of burnout and turnover intention. This study will examine the similarities and differences in auditor burnout between staff- and senior-level auditors, as well as mechanisms public accounting firms can institute to address such burnout concerns. The results of this study will aid public accounting firms in addressing the negative effects of auditor burnout and retaining valued audit personnel.

Authors

• Amanda Sue Marcy, University of Scranton

• Patrick E. O'Brien, Hofstra University