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Survey Shows Accounting Graduates More Prepared for Careers Now Than 10 Years Ago

MENLO PARK, CA -- The academic world is doing its part to groom future professionals for the new business environment, a recent survey suggests. Seventy-one percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) polled said today's accounting graduates are equally or more prepared for their careers compared to those entering the field 10 years ago.

The survey was developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from 1,400 CFOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with more than 20 employees. The findings are part of the firm's Next Generation Accountant initiative, which examines how today's trends will shape the future of accounting and finance.

CFOs were asked, “In your opinion, how prepared are today's accounting graduates for careers in accounting and finance compared to 10 years ago?” Their responses:

“Colleges and universities are responding to a changing accounting landscape,” said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Managing Your Career For Dummies® (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). “More courses are being offered in areas such as internal audit, enterprise risk management, forensic accounting, information technology and business ethics.”

The appeal of an accounting career is growing, perhaps as a result of increased emphasis on the profession. According to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, enrollment in accounting programs climbed 19 percent from 2000 to 2004, following declines during the late 1990s. There also was a 17 percent increase in the number of new accounting graduates hired by organizations between 2003 and 2004.

Messmer added, “To stay current, professionals at all levels should commit to ongoing learning and skills development. Employer-sponsored workshops, continuing education and business seminars are all effective ways for practitioners to keep pace with industry trends.”

Additional Next Generation Accountant materials are available at www.nextgenaccountant.com. The website includes comprehensive survey findings, interview excerpts from leading accounting experts, a skills quiz and other career resources. Requests for a free copy of the Next Generation Accountant: A New Outlook on a Timeless Profession white paper can be made on the website or by calling (866) 328-0577.

Accountemps, a division of Robert Half International Inc. (RHI), has more than 330 offices throughout North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and offers online job search services at www.accountemps.com. RHI is the world's first and largest staffing firm specializing in accounting, finance and information technology.