A total of 1160 Chartered Accountants participated in the 2008 Annual Business and Professions study conducted by Beaton Consulting, which benchmarked Chartered Accountants views against members of other associations across Australia, including finance and law associations. 
 
The research examined key areas of member attraction, satisfaction, volunteering and retention as well as strategic priorities for the Institute such as supporting the development of members’ skills and providing access to information that assist members to perform their roles.  
 
The Institute scored the equal highest for reputation in the business community, and achieved above average in areas such as enabling members to demonstrate a commitment to high professional and ethical standards, and providing leadership in accounting.  
 
The survey found that the key motivations for Chartered Accountants to join the Institute are to develop career and job prospects, obtain credentials and development of knowledge and skills. In addition, 72 per cent of members consider their membership to be very or absolutely necessary for their role in business. 
 
The Institute’s website and publications were highlighted in the survey as services most accessed by members. Other services (such as Training & Development, library services and social events) were accessed less on average than the group the Institute was benchmarked against. However those members who did access these services rated them as either good or excellent. 
 
Background 
The 2008 Annual Business and Professions study conducted by Beaton Consulting covered members from more than 30 associations from finance, engineering, mining and law. It is the largest member satisfaction benchmarking study in Australia. 
 
Relevant links:

• Beaton Consulting: www.beaton.com.au
• For any further information, contact the Institute's Business Intelligence Manager