The Personality Types and Preferences of CPA Firm Professionals: An Analysis of Changes in the Profession

Abstract

A study using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator was conducted to examine the personality types and specific preferences of CPA firm professionals. Data were drawn from four CPA firms in the midwestern U.S. The findings reveal that more recent partners tend to have a preference for extroversion. There is some evidence that those at higher levels in public accounting firms prefer intuition, compared to the sensing preference of most accountants. The findings do not show that professionals favor working with those with similar preferences, suggesting that a mix in personality preferences is appreciated