Do Polish Accountants Enjoy Their Job? Results of a Nationwide Survey “Accountants’ Self-Portrait”

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to examine whether their profession is a source of satisfaction for Polish accountants. The study used the results of a nationwide survey by the accountants association in Poland "2017 accountants' portrait". As it results from more than 2,500 responses by accountants, over three quarters of respondents assess their own job satisfaction highly. The image of an accountant satisfied with their job does not match the stereotypical perception of this profession. The respondents' answers indicate that the level of satisfaction is related to the position held and the remuneration received. The perception of accountants as "generators of additional costs" or "business impediments" is also significant, which can lower satisfaction with working in accounting. The paper employs methods of a source analysis and a diagnostic survey. The data collected in the survey was analysed using simple statistical methods and was appropriately presented.

Interdisciplinary Approach to Biological and Health Implications in Selected Professional Competences

“…Accountants often work under time pressure and have to process a large amount of data, requirements that call for knowledge, analytical skill, and abstract thinking ability. In addition, survey participants also mentioned the following additional qualities: “nerves of steel, the gift of the gab, awareness of their own lack of knowledge and that of those around them, availability, multitasking, divisibility of attention, ability to see the big picture, patience, ability to explain complicated matters, flexibility, good memory, imagination, honesty, systematics, ability to make something out of nothing, discretion, communicativeness, self-organization and self-discipline, prescience, understanding (to lack of knowledge), trustworthiness, mind-reading abilities, ability to listen, attractiveness, propriety, resistance to pressure, intelligence, cleverness, passion for one’s art, diplomacy, humanism, specific knowledge, perseverance, ambition, composure and ability to distance oneself, cheerfulness, loyalty, business thinking, and availability” [ 23 ]. The qualities required by accountants described in literature data are divided into three areas: Knowledge: business processes, financial accounting and law, use of IT tools, companies environment; Skills: analytical thinking, interpretation of financial and non-financial data, communication skills, ability to work in a team, strategic thinking; Personality trait: work under pressure, adaptation to changes, ethical behavior, decision making [ 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”