Employees’ Career Growth and Development: Outlook and Challenges of a First-Class Accounting Unit

Abstract

This study focused on identifying the outlook and challenges on career growth and development of all seventeen employees of the accounting office of a local government unit and is anchored on Systems Theory Framework of Career Development. Descriptive qualitative research design was employed and utilized total enumeration purposive sampling. Respondents were interviewed and data was gathered, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Findings revealed that employees shared positive and negative outlook on career growth and development citing promotion, annual salary appraisal, and skills enhancement. Furthermore, challenges included demographic factors like age, educational background, market competition, lack of vision and personal purpose, slow promotion process, and management support. Therefore, the outlook and challenges of the employees focused on the career planning intervention, especially in ensuring that employees are given enough exposure and awareness on professional development and training to acquire skillset and qualifications to advance their careers and provide robust development of core policies to ensure everyone is treated fairly and just with regards to career advancement. Self-awareness, self-development, inclusive work environment and management support will help employees in their careers and professions.