New research shows that many young people have misconceptions about careers in accountancy which may be creating unnecessary barriers and preventing them from seeing it as an attainable option, limiting the potential future talent pool of the profession.
Censuswide surveyed 2,000 nationally representative respondents aged between 16-25 between 20 – 29 June 2023 on behalf of leading accountancy firm Grant Thornton UK LLP to explore Generation Z’s view of accountancy as a career. The study seeks to better understand the attitudes and perceptions towards the accountancy sector of this age group.
The top misconceptions held by Gen Z about accountancy, identified in the research, are:
- 62% believe you need high grades to become an
accountant - 57% believe you need to go to university to become an
accountant - 57% think training for accountancy qualifications is
expensive - 53% think accountants sit at desks all day
The level of misunderstanding of the profession identified by the research may be explained by the finding that two thirds (65%) of young people have never received careers advice about accountancy.
Those that have are most likely to have received it at school or college, however the type of school attended affects how much information young people receive. Those attending private schools are 20% more likely to have received careers advice about accountancy than those from comprehensive schools. Private school students are also more likely to know an accountant than those attending comprehensive schools (52% vs 43%).
Social media and online research are the next most popular ways to source information about accountancy for Gen Z. Those from lower socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to find information in this way, they are also less likely to receive advice about the profession from a family member or friend.
Gender is also found to impact young people’s perceptions of attainability. Men are 13% more likely to believe that a career in accountancy is attainable than women. Non-binary people are less likely than men or women to feel a career in accountancy is possible.
James Brown, Practice Leader for Grant Thornton UK LLP in the Central and East region, said:
“It’s clear that the accountancy profession needs to work harder to bust historic misconceptions. There remain clear misunderstandings about not only the routes to entry but also the scope of the career on offer, which may be preventing many from considering it as an option.
“Both the people and the careers available within accountancy are now more varied and diverse than ever before, with opportunities for international travel, varied work across different sectors and specialities and long-term career prospects. It’s evident that we need to showcase this more prominently and shine a light on the reality of the working accountancy world and the broad and rewarding career path it can offer.
“The school you attend, your background or gender should not dictate your access to information or the career path you follow, yet our research shows that these factors contribute to the level of exposure to and understanding that a young person may have of the profession.
“Volunteering our time, through established initiatives such as Access Accountancy, RISE and our own firm’s Schools Enterprise Programme, to build confidence and knowledge with a wider range of young people will encourage a better understanding of the sector. Without a concerted effort to tackle these lingering misconceptions, we risk, inadvertently, missing out on a huge diverse pool of untapped talent.”
Find out more at www.grantthornton.co.uk
