Bosses in accountancy firms and in-house financial departments need to more to retain staff and could see many of their staff leaving during the next six to 12 months, according to research by CareersinAudit.com.   

The study of over 600 accountants reveals that half are looking for a new job. During the next six to 12 months this figure is set to rise to three quarters of accountants.

Almost 60% of respondents revealed they are networking at least twice a week, a third of these are meeting or making new contacts every day. It found that 65% of accountants still prefer to network face-to-face, but 72% are using LinkedIn. Nearly half said their main reason for networking was to get a new job.

Those successful in getting a job over the next few months may be packing both their suitcases as well as the personal contents on their desk. Eight in 10 accountants revealed they would move abroad for a job. Western Europe still tops the league as preferred destination but the Middle East comes a close second.

The research, entitled ‘On the Road to Recovery’, also reveals that 38% of accountants felt they missed out on a promotion because of the recession and are now eager to forge ahead with their career.  

It revealed that a part of the problem may lie with companies failing to encourage and nurture their employees: 77% admitted that their company could be doing more to help career development, with nearly half saying this could be improved through better training and support.