The company interviewed more than 250 senior accounting and finance executives (with incomes of $150,000-plus) across Australia and asked a series of questions relating to job status and recruitment processes.

Eighty-six per cent of respondents said they believe their career prospects have stagnated in their current working environment.

Brad Eisenhuth, axr director, said he is not at all surprised by the findings.

“Most accounting and finance executives are not satisfied with their current job or place of employment.

“The research outcomes also found many people blame external factors that are beyond their direct control for their circumstances,” he added.

However, Mr Eisenhuth said some of this may come down to their having a negative mentality.

“The cliché that the ‘grass is greener on the other side’, I believe, has certainly come into play with the significant number of executives who are unhappy in their current work environment,” he said.

“Several factors contributed to the disgruntled career views expressed by executives. These included the general widespread negative rhetoric about employment market prospects, a lack of direction and clarity in large company environments, poor career planning and an all pervading pessimistic attitude to the job market.”

The research findings also highlighted that 66 per cent of respondents viewed the current employment market as challenging while 71 per cent of respondents said employment market conditions were one of the top three impediments to their career success.

Head over to Finni to view the latest SMSF adviser career information and advice.