Meaning at Work: Expertise, Happiness, Job Satisfaction and Retention for Employees in the Accounting Profession

• In Event: Gender Issues and Work Life Balance 1

Abstract

Turnover rates in the accounting profession are high and have been for a long-time. In fact, this problem is pervasive across accounting firms, even in the face of higher unemployment rates. The field has attempted to maximize work productivity and improve retention through employee work accommodations, such as providing alternative work arrangements to employees (e.g., flextime, job-sharing, working-at-home, even sabbaticals). Less, however, is known about what makes working in the accounting profession worthwhile for employees. In this paper we examine how theories of flourishing, as set forth in the literature of positive psychology, apply specifically to the accounting field. We present a model of professional well-being based on the literature of positive psychology and a quantitative and qualitative exploration of accounting employee well-being. In short, this paper adds to the accounting literature by suggesting a theoretical model of professional well-being and providing preliminary support for the importance of meaning and mastery to employee well-being, job satisfaction, and retention.

Authors

• Marsha M Huber, Youngstown State University

• David Law, Youngstown State University

• Margaret Kern, University of Melbourne

• Wei Wang, University of Central Florida