CPA Trendlines Podcasts What Keeps Accountants in Public Accounting? Research Unpacks Key Retention Factors | Know-How Korner
Mar 13, 2025
Join Amy Cooper, an assistant accounting professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, as she unveils fascinating insights about accountant retention. Her research shows that job embeddedness, rather than engagement, plays a crucial role in keeping accountants at public firms. Surprisingly, larger firms foster deeper professional ties and offer better career mobility, enhancing long-term commitment. Amy also discusses the significance of personalized support and mentorship, especially in today's remote work environment, urging firms to adapt for better retention.
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Amy Cooper's Career Path
- Amy Cooper's public accounting background includes working at Arthur Andersen and small Alaskan firms.
- This experience shaped her interest in retention issues, leading her to pursue doctoral research on the topic.
Embeddedness vs. Engagement
- Job embeddedness describes an employee's connection to their organization and community, influencing long-term commitment.
- Job engagement, a shorter-term concept, reflects enthusiasm and absorption in daily tasks.
Size and Embeddedness
- Larger firms surprisingly show higher job embeddedness, contrary to initial expectations.
- Job embeddedness, not engagement, predicts turnover intentions in public accounting.