Young People have a more positive image of accountancy and financial management than many might have assumed, according to a national survey conducted for CIMA (The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants).
The research by YouGov, carried out with almost 2,000 18 to 25 year-olds, revealed that 70 per cent of them refused to categorise a career in accountancy as dull and boring. In addition, almost a third were already working in this area, considering doing so, or would think about taking jobs in it if they felt they had the necessary aptitude.
Charles Tilley, Chief Executive of CIMA, said: "These findings are highly encouraging and suggest today's young people are pretty savvy about the reality of working as accountants in business. For management accountants in particular, it's far less about traditional number crunching and far more about contributing to an organisation's strategic direction."
"It's clear many of those surveyed not only understand modern financial management but find it attractive as a career option."
However, it appears that young people do not perceive the accountancy profession quite as rewarding as it actually is. About a third of those surveyed recognise it could be extremely rewarding financially and a fifth agree it was often a stepping stone to very senior jobs.
This contrasts with the current industry figures which state that more than a third of CIMA members earn more than £50,000 a year, with more than five percent earning at least £100,000 per year.
In addition, almost 30 per cent are very senior professionals, with almost ten per cent being chief executive officers or directors, including managing directors. About 700 members are top managers in FTSE 350 companies.
More than 20 per cent of survey respondents said a grounding in accountancy and financial management could open the door to other careers and almost a third that it was an important and necessary aspect of managing organisations. However this contrasts with the CIMA figures of around 40 percent of CIMA members working outside core finance funtions, indicating how a grounding in finance can indeed be a passport to other careers.
Charles Tilley commented: "Although these findings are encouraging for those of us working to promote the advantages of careers in this area, the survey does highlight that those surveyed are still comparatively new to the world of work or perhaps have yet to become involved in it.
"It would be interesting to ask the same people these questions in ten years' time. I would imagine their answers would indicate an even greater appreciation of the benefits careers in accountancy in business can offer." | 
