Numbers Don't Lie, But What About the Office? The Workplace Environment Through the Eyes of Accounting Professionals

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to examine the effect of workplace environment perceptions on job satisfaction among accounting professionals. The workplace environment is conceptualized through the dimensions of working hours, job security, employee relations, esteem (recognition) needs, and top management practices.

Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on a quantitative design. Data were collected from 480 accounting professionals operating in Konya through a randomly administered survey. The structural validity of the measurement instrument was tested using exploratory factor analysis. Relationships among variables were examined through correlation analysis, and the effects of workplace environment dimensions on job satisfaction were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. All statistical procedures were conducted using SPSS software.

Findings – Factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure with satisfactory loadings. Correlation results indicated positive and statistically significant relationships between all workplace environment dimensions and job satisfaction. Regression analysis demonstrated that the proposed model is statistically significant and explains 52% of the variance in job satisfaction. Among the dimensions, top management and esteem needs exhibited the strongest predictive effect.

Discussion – The findings suggest that job satisfaction among accounting professionals is influenced not only by structural conditions but also strongly by managerial support and organizational relationships. The results highlight the critical role of psychosocial factors in technically demanding professions and emphasize the strategic importance of supportive management practices in enhancing employee satisfaction. By situating this relationship within the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) framework and focusing specifically on accounting professionals, the study addresses a theoretical gap in the literature and offers sector-specific managerial implications, extending prior research beyond a simple re-confirmation of the workplace environment-job satisfaction link.