The global job board’s latest research, ‘Feel the fear at work and do it anyway?’, was conducted amongst 1341 accountants in August 2016 and also found that eight in ten accountants are highly aware that their roles have changed over the past five to ten years, resulting in four in ten being worried about being left behind due to not having the right skills.

The majority of accountants, due fears of being left behind and worrying about future job prospects, are now looking at setting up their own businesses, especially those aged between 18 and 30.

Simon Wright, operations director, CareersinAudit.com said: ‘Compared to even five years ago, today’s accountant needs to be armed with a much broader range of skills including management, business advisory, technology and new business development skills. 

‘Now is the time for accountants to take control and ask their bosses for relevant training or get enrolled on courses to fill their skills deficit. If bosses are unwilling to help, then accountants should consider investing time and money outside their workplace or strike now and move to another company who will provide better career development support.’

The research also found that the interview process when applying for jobs can stop a fifth of accountants from applying at all, despite four in ten currently searching for a new job.

Two thirds (60%) want to change jobs completely and swap to either industry or practice but 43% say that the economic climate, lacking the right skills and fear of change is holding them back.

Wright said: ‘Skills, skills and more skills are what today’s accountants need more than ever before. Whether it’s fear of one’s role in the profession, going for interviews, networking or moving across to practice or industry, accountants cannot be paralysed by fear and instead need to embrace change.’