The findings suggest that overall 28% of accountants feel their career plans have been put on hold because of senior colleagues’ reluctance to give up their roles.

The problem is particularly acute for accountants aged between 31 and 35, with 38% reporting that their career development has been hampered in this way, at an age when many are looking for promotion to director or partner level. In comparison, just 20% of those aged 26-30 say they have found their career development blocked, suggesting that the issue becomes more pronounced as they progress upwards from junior positions.  

The research also shows that almost two-thirds (63%) of accountants believe it is now harder to progress to director and partner level than it was for those currently occupying these positions, and that this problem may get worse. While Marks Sattin’s 2014 Salary Survey indicates that just 1% of the current accountancy workforce is over the age of 60, in the latest poll 43% of accountants believe they will retire beyond the age of 65.

The majority (85%) of respondents said that they would move firms if they felt their career progress was being obstructed with only 17% indicating that they would stick with their current role. 

Dave Way, managing director of Marks Sattin said: ‘In order to stay ahead of the competition and retain tomorrow’s leaders, businesses need to ensure that junior and mid-level accountants are aware of how their career development will be supported, what they need to do to achieve their next promotion and the benefit of learning from and working alongside more senior colleagues.’