Workers deviance is behaviors by organization’s worker that inhibit the ability of the organization to attain its objectives. These behaviors also go against organization norms and expectation on workers. Worker deviance is a major problem in the four major accounting firms. Accounting fraud is one of the serous frauds in United States (Jelinek, R., and Jelinek, K, 2008, 232). This entails manipulation books of account with an aim for attaining a certain objective. The Enron accounting scandal met the country with a surprise. Sarbanes-Orley act of 2002 was viewed as part of the solutions to accounting frauds. Although this act is successful in oversight and holding public accounting and auditing firms accountable for their services, it has made provision of accounting and auditing services demanding.
Accounting is one of the most demanding professions. Accountants and auditors have to deal with large number of documents and data at a very tight deadline. The demands on worker in accounting firms make the work to be stressful. The Sarbanes –Orley (SOX) added more demands in accounting diligence. Demands to accounting firms by the act are passed down to workers leading to higher work load and stress. In consequence, this has increased work stress that could contribute to more workers deviance.
There is a shortage in supply accountants in the country. The demand for accountants is far more that supply of professional accountants. The imbalance has led to competition for accountants by the four accounting firms (Jelinek, R., and Jelinek, K, 2008, 232). In consequence, this situation contributes to workers deviance in accounting firms in two ways. Shortages of accountants give accountants a sense of job security. They are assured that their firms are reluctant to fire them even when they show defiance. They are also assured of getting another job in another firm. This leads to irresponsibility and deviance among workers. On the other hand, shortages of accountants have led to competition for worker among accounting firms. Thus, there is increase in workers leaving one firm to another competitor firm in pursuit of better pay or working conditions. When a worker leaves a firm, work load for other workers left increases leading to work stress that can lead to workers deviance.
Solution to this problem entails encouraging more individuals to take accounting and a profession. The major hindrance to new entry is the 150 hours demanded on accounting students. The rule should be made lighter to make the duration required to study as an accountant to be less.
Accounting as a profession was highly valued and accountant highly esteemed before Enron and other accounting scandals. These scandals and reaction to the scandals led to public criticism and distrust on accountant. Jokes shared by members of public over accountants imply that accountants are scandalous and cannot be trusted (Jelinek, R., and Jelinek, K, 2008, 232). The oversight board established by SOX made demand that accountants would not be allowed to head the authority. Also, commissioners to the oversight authority were made to held mostly by not accountant. This created a perception that accountant trust to the public. The effect of this public criticism is that most accountants do not enjoy their work as they did. In addition, they view additional demands by oversight board as punishment leading to deviance.
Reclaiming the lost public image of the big four accounting firms is the only way to win back public confidence. Thus, the big four should publicize the positive measures they taken since the occurrence of Enron scandal. This may win back public confidence and remove public enemy perception on accounting.
Reference List
Jelinek, R., and Jelinek, K. Auditors gone Wild: The “other” problem in public accounting. New York: Kelly School of Business Press, 2008.
Lau, A., and Wong, R. KingJewels: ethical leadership in practice. Hong Kong: Asia Case Research Centre, University of Hong Kong, 2006.