Is Age Nothing but Another Number to Accountants?

Survey regarding age discrimination among accountants.

(PRWEB) April 18, 2007 -- Accountants are split 50:50 as to whether there is Age Discrimination in their profession.

In a recent survey carried out by the finance recruitment (http://www.totallyfinancial.com) website totallyfinancial.com, 47% of respondents believed that there was age discrimination and 43% believed that there was no discrimination. 10% said that they were unsure.

"These figures are discouraging for people at either end of the age spectrum" said Bernard Howard, Managing Director of totallyfinancial.com and a former ACA with PricewaterhouseCoopers. "Those who are looking for a new accountancy job (http://www.totallyfinancial.com/sector/accountancy.html) or to move up the career ladder may already be thinking that they are too old or too young and may be discriminated against. They won't be pleased to note that 50% of their colleagues agree with them!"

Of the people surveyed, around 1/3 said they themselves had experienced discrimination, with two-thirds (72%) citing it was for being too young.

"Younger employees have traditionally felt discriminated against in firms, especially when it comes to the dishing out of bonuses under the 'lock-step' system which rewards longer service." continued Mr Howard. "They'll be hoping that the new age discrimination laws and the debate surrounding lock-step will result in a fairer, more meritocratic way of doing things."

The new Age Discrimination law is nearly 6 months old, and two-thirds (73%) of accountants think that the legislation is a good thing. However, only 17% think that it will make any difference, with 62% answering 'to some extent' and 1 in 5 (22%) believing that it will not make a difference.

"There may be some light at the end of the tunnel" commented Mr Howard. "The majority of accountants do think that the profession can change but admittedly there is a long way to go to change perceptions."

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