This study examines the role of career growth opportunities in explaining turnover intentions
of junior auditors in public accounting firms via a survey of them. Prior studies in
applied psychology and organisational behaviour argue that employees and their organisations
have a social exchange relationship in which employees and organisations provide
reciprocal benefits to each other. Extending this research, this paper proposes that career
growth opportunities represent a critical benefit to lower level employees in accounting
firms. When these employees believe that their firm provides this benefit, they reciprocate
with stronger commitment to the firm which, in turn, leads to lower turnover intentions.
This study also seeks to identify the causes or antecedents of employee beliefs about career
growth opportunities. Two antecedents are proposed: the effectiveness of the firm’s
training programmes; and, the organisational prestige of the firm. Results of path analysis
suggest that both training effectiveness and organisational prestige enhance employee
beliefs about the career growth opportunities offered by the public accounting firms,
which, in turn lead to higher commitment and lower turnover intentions.