Mentoring and learning: the case of CPA firms

• Published in: Leadership & organization development journal Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 22 - 34
• Main Authors: Kleinman, Gary, Siegel, Philip H., Eckstein, Claire
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford MCB UP Ltd 01.02.2001; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Accountancy firms; Accountants; Accounting firms; Burnout; Employee turnover; Hypotheses; Hypothesis testing; Job satisfaction; Learning; Management development; Mediators; Mentoring; Mentors; Organizational change; Organizational learning; Personal development; Professional development; Professionals; Role conflict; Socialization; Role conflict; Organizational learning; Mentoring; Accountancy firms
• DOI: 10.1108/01437730110380192
• ISSN: 0143-7739

Analyzes mentoring as a learning forum for the accounting professional. Data collected from national CPA firms was utilized in the model development and hypotheses. This study examined how learning forums contribute to individual professional growth, performance and attitudes. Analysis of the model indicates that mentoring functions account for significant variance in job satisfaction, organizational commitment, intentions to leave, role ambiguity and job burnout. The analysis indicates that mentoring functions considerably influence socialization and personal learning. The research results highlighted the significance of the socialization process for accounting professionals within a CPA firm. Results of this study stressed the critical role of mentoring as a forum for individual learning. Accounting professionals who experience personal learning through mentoring relationships are less likely to leave the CPA firm since the socialization educates them to the firm's goals, values and politics.