Mentoring relationships and interpersonal orientation Available to Purchase

This exploratory study provides information on the interpersonal orientation of CPA firm professionals, which augments our knowledge of personality types. The study of Big Six audit personnel used the FIRO‐B measure of interpersonal orientation and found that the average social index indicator (SII) of overall interpersonal needs was lower than the national average and higher than prior studies taken of undergraduate accounting and business students. In contrast to most prior studies, we found gender differences in interpersonal orientation. Having a mentor can enhance work effectiveness and increase opportunities for personal success. Mentor relationships vary in intensity and duration as to the type of support. Interpersonal factors are likely to influence the path of a relationship. We found that the number of strong support relationships is usually higher at the manager level, as compared with the senior level. Interpersonal orientation as measured by the FIRO‐B score was positively correlated with both receiving and providing support relationships.