Individuals working as accountants in New Zealand rate work/life balance as the most important attribute in a role, followed by career advancement and then earnings potential, a new study claims.

However, according to the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA), employers are failing to focus on contentment when attempting to retain and attract members of staff and are using other factors such as training, salaries and organizational culture to lure them instead.

The overview of trends in the sector also shows that more conservative advice and information about cost control are growing in popularity, while accountants claim to be feeling under pressure to provide more service for less money.

Sponsored by Randstad, the report compiles information provided by more than 9,000 NZICA members and commenting on the statistics, chief executive of NZICA Terry McLaughlin stated: "Amongst the results I was particularly heartened not to see any significant fluctuations for members living in Christchurch."

This is despite the devastating earthquake that shook the city in February, with accountants from there less likely to be planning a move overseas.

Statistics New Zealand has stated that overall unemployment for the quarter to March 2011 stood fell to 6.6 per cent, with 30,000 new jobs created over the period.

Posted by Sarah Dixon