Survey on the Reality of Job Hunting for Accounting and Finance Managers

Rex Advisors Co., Ltd. (https://www.career-adv.jp/), which provides job change support specialized for CFOs and accounting professionals, conducted a 'Survey on the Job Changing Reality of Accounting Managers' and aggregated valid samples from 253 individuals who changed jobs to accounting management roles between 2023 and 2026. This survey analyzes the responses of managers extracted from a broader survey on accounting and finance professionals conducted in March 2026 (https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000053.000017834.html). The survey panel of PRISMA Co., Ltd. (https://www.prizma-link.com/) was utilized for this research.

The full text of the survey results is available on the research report page of Rex Advisors Co., Ltd. (https://www.career-adv.jp/report/research_05/).

Summary of Survey Results
- For accounting and finance managers, while the triggers for job hunting vary, it is assumed that there are many cases where they lose patience with the company based on changes in interpersonal relationships and their own treatment.
- Almost half of the job changers experience a shift in the elements they prioritize most between the start and end of their job hunt, with a certain segment shifting to prioritize 'education systems' and 'welfare systems.'
- A little under 30% of job changers think 'I want to redo my job hunt,' and just over 30% think 'I don't know at this point,' indicating that a certain level of short-term turnover risk exists after a job change or hiring.

Dissatisfaction with the Previous Job Among Accounting and Finance Managers Who Changed Jobs Within 3 Years

Motivations and Triggers for Job Change
- The top two triggers for job hunting are 'interpersonal troubles' and 'passed over for promotion or raise' at 20%, followed by 'resignation of a boss or colleague' (13%) and 'increased workload' (11%).
- On the other hand, slightly less than 10% started job hunting and changed jobs without any specific clear trigger.
- Reasons for starting job hunting among accounting managers who changed jobs within 3 years.

Regarding dissatisfaction with the previous job, 'salary' (26%) and 'work style' (23%) are followed by 'HR evaluation' (15%) in third place. Many people change jobs feeling that they are not receiving fair treatment or evaluation.
- What accounting managers who changed jobs within 3 years felt dissatisfied with regarding their previous job.

Attractive points about the new job are salary (24%), work style (17%), job content (14%), and evaluation system (12%), with job content coming in third.
- What accounting managers who changed jobs within 3 years found attractive about their new job.

Differences Between Accounting/Finance Managers and Accounting/Finance Staff

Regarding triggers for job change, managers have higher rates for 'passed over for promotion/raise' (+4%), 'resignation of boss or colleague' (+4%), and 'own personnel transfer' (+4%).
Conversely, staff roles have a higher rate for 'life events' (+9%) as well as 'no particular trigger' (+3%).
- Differences in triggers for starting job hunting between accounting/finance managers and accounting/finance staff.

Regarding dissatisfaction with the previous company, managers more often feel dissatisfied with 'salary' (+8%), 'work style' (+8%), and 'HR evaluation' (+6%).
Conversely, items that managers cite less as dissatisfactions include 'job content' (-10%) and 'interpersonal relationships' (-8%).
- Differences in dissatisfaction with the previous job between accounting/finance managers and accounting/finance staff.

Regarding items found attractive in the new job, 'salary,' 'work style,' and 'job content' are the top three for both.
While more managers prioritize the 'evaluation system' (+6%) and 'education system' (+7%), staff roles rate 'job content' higher (+7%).
- Differences in attractions felt towards the new job between accounting/finance managers and accounting/finance staff.

About the Results of Job Hunting

While 70% of accounting managers prioritize 'salary,' 'work style,' and 'job content' at the start of their job hunt, this decreases to 54% at the time of deciding on a job change.
Instead, education systems (5% -> 11%), welfare systems (3% -> 9%), interpersonal relationships (4% -> 6%), and others (4% -> 9%) increase.
For about half of accounting and finance managers, the most prioritized element changes between the start of the job hunt and the decision on a new job.
- Changes in the most prioritized elements for accounting managers who changed jobs within 3 years.

Job changers who are satisfied with their job hunt account for 26% of the total. The most common response is 'somewhat good' at 41%, and 'neither' is 26%.
Job changers who think 'I want to redo my job hunt if possible' are 28%, and 33% still don't know, indicating a persistent risk of short-term turnover after employment or hiring.
- Self-evaluation of the job hunt among accounting managers who changed jobs within 3 years.

Survey Overview
Survey Title
Survey on the Reality of Job Changing in the Accounting Profession
Survey Target
Individuals with job change experience within the last 3 years whose current occupation is finance/accounting (20s to 50s; company employees (full-time), executives, officers)
Survey Area
Nationwide
Survey Method
Internet