Delving into the Happiness of Professional Accountants: Examining the Interplay between Personality Traits, and Job and Life Satisfaction

Abstract

This study aimed to determine accountants' personality profiles and test which personality traits make accountants happier at work and in social life. In this context, the relationships between the personality traits of professional accountants (within the scope of the Dark Triad and Big Five) and their job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and personality-profession fit were examined. In this direction, quantitative research was designed, and professional accountants participated (N = 202). According to the findings, it has been determined that the Dark Triad traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy) of the accountants are at a low level. Levels of dark personality traits were negatively associated with life satisfaction, while job satisfaction and personality-occupation fit were not significantly associated. The highest score regarding Big Five personality traits (i.e., openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) was obtained in agreeableness among the accountants. A positive relationship was found between the openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness characteristics of accountants and their job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and personality-profession fit, and a negative relationship with neuroticism. As a result, it has been concluded that accounting professionals with high levels of openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness are happier in their work and lives.