Table 4.

Job Satisfaction

Mean

Standard Deviation

Verbal
Interpretation

2.76

0.30

Disagree

Table 4.6 shows the job satisfaction of the external auditors in the Big 4 auditing firms in
the Philippines. The results show that the respondents yielded a mean of 2.76 and standard
deviation of 0.30.
The question JSQ6 (My colleagues are a source of professional stimulation) has the
highest mean yielding a 3.23 mean. This means that most of the external auditors treat their
colleagues as a source of professional stimulation as this question yielded the most number of
agree among the respondents. Empowerment of employees is a factor that increases employee
job satisfaction. The fact relates when your co-workers are one of your driving forces in the work
place, employees are more empowered and thus, satisfied with their job. (Moyes, G., 2008)
Another question from the job satisfaction part of the questionnaire that yielded the
second to the highest mean of 3.15 is question JSQ14 (My colleagues are an important source
of personal support.) Same factor with the question that yielded the highest mean, external
auditors perceive their colleagues as a significant factor on how satisfied they tend to be
towards their job.
On the other hand, the question that has the lowest mean of 2.02 is the question JSQ11
(My work schedule leaves me enough time for my family). This implies that most of the external
auditors disagree with the statement. This value has a difference of only .03 to yield a
significant number of strongly disagree answer.
Besides the mean, another thing to be considered in analyzing the results is the
standard deviation. In this regard, the question JSQ10 (Work rarely encroaches on my personal
time) has the highest standard deviation at 0.80. This means that the external auditors lack the

consensus in answering this question. Inconsistency arises on how they perceive their work in
the firm as a factor that encroaches on their personal time.
On the other hand, the question JSQ14 (My colleagues are a source of professional
stimulation) which yielded the highest mean in turn also has the lowest standard deviation of
0.51. It indicates that the external auditors are consistent with their response. This is consistent
with the results of the highest mean that indicated a significant number of the respondents
agreed with that statement.
The result of the study with regards to job satisfaction showed that the external auditors
are not satisfied with their job in the auditing firm. According to Moyes, public accounting firms
are considered as one of the industries with turnover issues pertaining to their accounting
professionals. One of the five issues that have contributed to this problem is that most staff
accountants particularly auditors in this case are required to work excessive overtime during tax
season (Larson, 1991). Work in most auditing firms especially during the audit season which is
considered as the busy season require longer hours of work due to deadlines that they need to
accomplish in their client related audits which in turn gives them less time for themselves and
with family as well. Work overload is also associated in determining the level of job satisfaction
among office workers. Schlotz et al (2004) found that work overload leads to lower satisfaction
among employees.