Almost three-quarters of young accountants are optimistic about the immediate economic outlook and the impact it will have on their career prospects, according to a survey conducted by BDO Recruitment.

The 'Future Business Leaders' survey revealed that 71 per cent of trainee and recently qualified accountants are optimistic about the Irish economy and their career prospects. The remaining 29 per cent expressed concern about the current economic climate and how it will impact on their immediate career plans.

The survey of over 500 trainee and recently qualified accountants working in the 'Atlantic Corridor' of Limerick, Clare and Galway also highlighted a preference among young accountants to work in indigenous Irish companies. Multinational firms were the second most preferred employment option followed by the financial services industry.

Commenting on the findings, Director with BDO Recruitment Joe Delaney explained, "there is definitely a very optimistic note from our annual 'Future Business Leaders' survey with a high level of confidence in the economy among young accountants and the impact it will have on their career. The survey also highlighted that salary and benefits remain the single most important factor in attracting young accountants, other issues, particularly work-life balance have become increasingly important."

The survey revealed a number of differing attitudes and priorities among male and female accountants. Male accountants demonstrated a higher level of optimism about the current economic climate while their female counterparts were more conservative in their economic outlook. Young male accountants surveyed placed a higher level of importance on work-life balance than women, while women regarded the experience they could gain from a job as being more important than their male peers. Location was also a more important factor for women than for men in selecting a job, while men placed a higher value on career progression in potential job roles than women respondents.

The 'Future Business Leader' survey also established that recently qualified accountants' salary expectations, after completing articles, ranged from €38,000 to €50,000. The average salary expectation was €45,000.

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