New research claims that the
accounting industry could experience a staffing crisis within two years.
A study by CareersinAudit.com found that 31 per cent of graduates will remain in the sector for less than two years and only 27 per cent are expected to continue in the industry for over five years, reports
Accounting Web.
It also found that 76 per cent of practising
accountants believe that the starting salary, which is on average £23,000, is not "good enough" to attract the best graduates.
Max Williamson, director of CareersinAudit.com, told the website that firms "must do more" in order to "attract and retain talented" accountants.
"If young people don't hear that
accountancy offers travel, qualifications, client contact and an opportunity to get to the heart of business, the stereotype of
accountancy as spreadsheets and isolation will only gain ground," he added.
The ninth annual absence study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development recently found that that average cost of absence is now £666 per employee.
Dofonline.co.uk reports that this is up from the 2007 figure of £659.
