The relationships among lifestyle preference, attrition, and career orientation: A three-year longitudinal study

This study examines whether Lifestyle Preferences affect attrition or influence career attitudes of early-career public accountants. The research follows an initial sample of 253 newly-hired, entry-level public accountants (133 male accountants and 120 female accountants). Analysis of data on career attitudes and Lifestyle Preference collected after three-years indicates an association for female accountants' data but not for male accountants. The research also finds that career attitudes have higher explanatory power for intentions to remain in public accounting for female accountants than male accountants. While job satisfaction, liking one's job, and intentions to remain in public accounting were all associated with female accountants' level of effort to be successful, there was no association between effort and these variables for male accountants. The level of effort to be successful was significantly lower at the three-year point than for the same individuals at the entry point across the sample. Finally, the data indicate that, after two years of career experience, Lifestyle Preference and attrition were associated for female accountants.