Shortage of young accountants: A looming crisis in the accountancy sector

It is Monday morning in an accounting firm in the heart of the Netherlands. The phones are ringing non-stop, files are piling up, and the office is feeling the pressure of time. But behind this hustle and bustle lies a bigger problem that is gripping the sector: the increasing shortage of young accountants. As the ageing population takes hold and the inflow of new professionals decreases, the sector is in danger of getting stuck. How did it get to this point, and what can we do to deal with this crisis?

The causes of the shortage

The shortage of young accountants did not come out of nowhere. There are several factors that contribute to this tightness on the labour market:

Declining inflow into courses: The number of students choosing an accountancy course has fallen significantly in recent years. Many young people see the profession as less attractive compared to other options. This is often linked to a lack of familiarity with the versatility of the profession and the future opportunities it offers.

Ageing population: The sector is faced with an outflow of experienced professionals reaching retirement age. This outflow is not being filled quickly enough by young talent, which leads to an ever-widening gap between supply and demand.

High workload: Young accountants are confronted with a heavy workload, especially due to the combination of work and study. This causes some to drop out before they have fully progressed within the sector.

The consequences for the sector

This situation has far-reaching consequences for the accountancy sector:

Vacancies: The number of vacancies at accountancy firms is alarmingly high. Some of the larger firms have more than 100 vacancies, which poses an unprecedented challenge to their growth and continuity.

Competition for talent: Due to the shortage of young accountants, the battle for talent is becoming increasingly fierce. Firms are trying to attract and retain young talent with increasingly creative measures, but this is often not enough to close the gap.

Pressure on service provision: The shortage forces firms to make choices about which clients they can and cannot serve. This can lead to a deterioration in service provision and possibly even to reputational damage.

Possible solutions

While the situation is dire, there are steps firms and the wider sector can take to turn the tide:

Investing in training and development: Firms are increasingly working closely with colleges and universities to offer internships and traineeships. This not only helps fill the gap, but can also help to get students excited about the profession.

Flexibility and work-life balance: One of the main complaints among young accountants is the workload. By focusing more on work-life balance, firms can make the profession more attractive to young people.

Automation and technology: By automating routine tasks using AI and other technologies, accountants can focus on more challenging and valuable work. This not only makes the profession more interesting, but also increases efficiency within firms.

Rethinking the education: Consideration is being given to reforming the accountancy education, for example by merging the post-master and the practical part. This could ease the transition to working life and make the training more attractive.

Outlook and future perspectives

Despite the current challenges, the situation also offers opportunities for innovation within the sector. The demand for accountants is expected to remain high, mainly due to new developments such as the growing need for sustainability reporting and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) advisory services.

However, tackling the staff shortage will require a joint effort from firms, educational institutions and professional organisations. Together, they can make the accountancy profession more attractive to new generations while ensuring the quality and relevance of the profession. The future of the accountancy sector depends on the willingness to make the necessary changes now and to invest in the accountants of tomorrow.