Accountants in non-accounting executive positions : an assessment

Abstract

This dissertation intends to increase public knowledge about accountant executives in Malta, while trying to determine whether an accounting qualification is of any help in moving to and in holding a business management position. Research sheds light on aspects such as the reasons for choosing accountancy, the move into senior management, the perception towards the accountancy profession, and the extent to which knowledge of accountancy is helping accountant-executives in their current job. To study the latter aspect, it was not only the contribution of the accountant-executive that led to conclusions but there was also the participation of the financial controller, the auditor and the bank manager. The research findings were based on four questionnaires, each addressed to its respective group of respondents. It was found that the move into business management was not a question of the accountancy career not satisfying the accountant-executive's expectations. It was a question of searching for additional fulfilment. In fact, the majority of accountants who moved to business management never left accountancy work. Those being either promoted or directly engaged into an executive position believe that it was not their accounting qualification that mattered most. Nevertheless, they believe that their accounting background does help in the normal course of work. With respect to the financial controller and the auditor, these are of a stronger belief than the bank manger, that an accounting qualification has a positive impact on the work of the executive.