Advancement, not compensation, leads way for new CPA recruits.

CPA firm partners believe compensation is the driving force behind a new recruit's decision to join and stay with the organization. But young professionals say that is not the case, and that growth opportunities are the principal factor.

These differing perspectives are among the key findings of the Top Talent Study conducted by the Private Companies Practice Section (www.aicpa.org/pcps). Among survey participants, 93% of partners identified salary as the top motivator, while 80% of young professionals pointed to the chance to advance in the firm. In contrast, salary was ranked third by the new accountants, and the partners placed career growth at number four.

According to the survey results, the top five reasons new talent joins a firm are growth opportunities, paid personal/vacation time, salary, respect for the company mission statement, and interesting and challenging projects. In contrast, partners felt new recruits joined their firms for the following reasons, ranked in order of preference: salary, medical benefits, paid personal/vacation time, growth opportunities and paid overtime.

Partners and young professionals, however, do see more eye to eye when evaluating the reasons why new hires stay with a firm. Both groups listed four of the same...