Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Government

Abstract

This study evaluates two of the most pressing issues facing public practice in Australia today – the growing gap in the importance placed on professional values by public practice accounting firms, and the effect of this gap on job satisfaction, organisational commitment and employee intention to turnover. The results of this study clearly show that there is a perceived gap in professional values that is associated with lower levels of both organisational commitment and job satisfaction for public practice accountants. The alignment of these results and those of previous researchers that show job satisfaction and organisational commitment are associated with increased intentions to turnover is an early-warning signal to accounting practice managers. Employees seem prepared to take action if there is a perceived gap in professional values with their employers.