The first digital native generation entering the workforce is being shaped by the unique world catastrophes they’ve lived through in their young lives, finds a global report from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IFAC (the International Federation of Accountants).

The views of 9,000 18 to 25-year-olds are published in Groundbreakers: Gen Z and the future of accountancy and reveal their primary concerns are around job security, well-being and mental health, offering a wakeup call to employers who need to show they care.

While they are broadly convinced that businesses have a positive impact on wider society (69%), they think there is significant room for improvement from business leaders. They see accountancy as an attractive career – providing long term prospects and portability with access to jobs that span internationally and across industries – but it’s also clear this generation questions business’ integrity.

They believe businesses continue to prioritise the maximisation of returns to investors (66%) over taking care of customers (53%) and employees (47%). They are also less convinced that business leaders have integrity and do what they say (41%) and fewer of them believe businesses are currently pulling their weight in fighting climate change (39%).

ACCA and IFAC say the findings of this global research are very relevant for employers regardless of the sector, and that meeting this generation’s needs and addressing their concerns will be essential to thrive. For the accountancy profession specifically, its central purpose to create sustainable value for organisations while acting in the public interest place it in a unique position to harness this opportunity.

Helen Brand, chief executive of ACCA says: ‘This 18 – 25-year-old age group of Gen Z is smart, connected, ambitious yet realistic – but they have concerns about the future and how business operates. What we see from this research is young people at the outset of their accountancy careers keen to play their part in economic renewal. They’ll bring their talents and aspirations into the workplace and, through them, transform the future of accountancy for the modern world. Employers of all sizes need to be aware of this generation’s hopes and ambitions and the value they can bring.’

Kevin Dancey, chief executive officer of IFAC explains: ‘Shaped by economic crises, the current climate emergency, and most recently the global pandemic, Generation Z is coming of age during a very difficult and challenging period in global history. Leaders of Professional Accountancy Organizations (PAOs), global network firms, and industry, not only have an opportunity to welcome this new generation of accountancy leaders into our organisations, but to actively learn from them. Although no one knows exactly what the future may hold, one thing is for certain: Generation Z accountancy professionals have a critical role to play in our future.’

Groundbreakers: Gen Z and the future of accountancy offers employers 10 ways to harness the potential of Gen Z:

1. Tap into Gen Z’s digital mastery: Astute enterprises are seeing Gen Z as fantastic ambassadors and early adopters to encourage the rest of the business to digitally transform.
2. Think “intrapreneurship”: Create a culture where young people can bring their entrepreneurial thinking and capabilities to fruition within the relative safety of an organisation.
3. Use social to recruit and recognise the power of peers: Beyond social media, activities such as using Gen Z ‘brand ambassadors’ who are authentic and believable on university campuses to encourage peers to be interested in organisations can pay dividends.
4. Be authentic and listen to Gen Z: Gen Z values authenticity and sees it as a key factor in making initial decisions about joining an organisation.
5. Focus on well-being: Gen Z is concerned about their well-being, so employers need to support this.
6. Align organisation purpose with individual development needs: Organisations need to articulate what they stand for, their purpose and impact on wider society. Gen Z is keen to understand how the organisation makes a difference and what their contribution could be to the vision of the enterprise.
7. Create collaboration opportunities across the workforce: To help Gen Z progress, make them part of the bigger picture.
8. Reward on outcomes not inputs: Employers need to focus on outcomes and the results achieved, rather than hours spent on a task.
9. Give continual feedback: Create a culture of continual feedback and acknowledgement -this is essential in engaging Gen Z as they’ve grown up in a world of instant communication and rating opportunities through digital.
10. Rethink learning: Make it short and visual to encourage Gen Z’s learning.

The full report can be downloaded here:

Ground-breakers: Gen Z and the future of accountancy | ACCA Global

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Notes to Editors

About Gen Z:  The generation currently aged between 10 and 25 years old consists of 1.8bn people and makes up 24% of the global population. These ‘digital natives’ have grown up with mobile, social media and, of course, the internet. They are the most globally peer-connected generation in human history entirely used to a wealth of information accessible at the press of a button or a voice command to Siri or Alexa. Their online and physical relationships blur continuously, and this ‘blurred life’ phenomenon increasingly translates to the workplace too, further amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and working from home. This connectivity gives rise to an opportunity for this generation to influence and shape our futures like no other, in many different ways.

About ACCA: ACCA is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. We’re a thriving global community of 227,000 members and 544,000 future members based in 176 countries and regions that upholds the highest professional and ethical values.

We believe that accountancy is a cornerstone profession of society that supports both public and private sectors. That’s why we’re committed to the development of a strong global accountancy profession and the many benefits that this brings to society and individuals.

Since 1904 being a force for public good has been embedded in our purpose. And because we’re a not-for-profit organisation, we build a sustainable global profession by re-investing our surplus to deliver member value and develop the profession for the next generation.

Through our world leading ACCA Qualification, we offer everyone everywhere the opportunity to experience a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. And using our respected research, we lead the profession by answering today’s questions and preparing us for tomorrow. Find out more about us at accaglobal.com

About IFAC

IFAC (the International Federation of Accountants) is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies.

Comprised of over 175 members and associates in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions, IFAC represents more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry, and commerce. Over four decades, IFAC has represented the global profession and supported the development, adoption, and implementation of international standards that underpin the contributions of today’s global accountancy profession.

IFAC has maintained a long-term approach to building and strengthening a global accountancy profession that supports transparent, accountable, and sustainable organizations, financial markets, and economies. More information is here www.ifac.org