Graduation Year
2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
D.B.A.
Degree Granting Department
Business Administration
Major Professor
Robert Hammond, D.B.A
Co-Major Professor
Sajeev Varki, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Douglas Hughes, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Gert-Jan de Vreede, Ph.D.
Keywords
Climate, Learning Application, Trainee, Workplace Atmosphere
Abstract
The public accounting industry will face several challenges in the upcoming years. One challenge is an aging workforce that will be retiring in large numbers. This shift will result in a shortage of partner-ready candidates. The second challenge involves rapid technological disruption that is predicted to change the skill sets needed for success. Both issues underscore the need to recruit and retain talent in the public accounting profession. Academic research has focused primarily on Big 4 firms, so this paper focused on non-Big 4 firms. This study used exploratory research to examine two questions: “What skills does it take to ‘make’ partner at non-Big 4 firms?” and “What reservations exist about making the leap to partner?” Semi-structured interviews explored the differences and similarities in perceptions between audit partners, audit managers, and junior and senior accounting majors. The study compared perceptions across all three groups.
Scholar Commons Citation
Thompson-Abbott, Amanda K., "Who Rises to the Top: An Investigation of the Essential Skills Necessary for Partners of Non-Big 4 Public Accounting Firms" (2020). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/8595
