Integration Challenges, Immigrant Characteristics and Career Satisfaction for Immigrants in the Field of Accounting and Finance: An Empirical Evidence from Canada

Immigrants face daunting structural and cultural challenges in building career in their host countries. In this study, we investigate those challenges, and address how such challenges and immigrant characteristics influence immigrants’ career satisfaction. We use survey to gather qualitative and quantitative data on life-course experiences of Canadian immigrants in the field of accounting and finance.

We find that immigrant integration challenges are multidimensional, comprising workplace discrimination, non-recognition of foreign education and experience, and ethnic differences. We also find that the devaluation of prior education and experience is the worst challenge for new Canadian immigrants.

Our study suggests that professional identity of immigrants is discounted, minimalized or stripped away. In addition, workplace discrimination and devalued education and experience negatively influence career satisfaction, but ethnic differences exert no significant effect on career satisfaction. This study further suggests that race and integration challenges are inextricably connected.

Our study is the first to measure the dimensions of immigrant integration challenges and how they relate to career satisfaction. This study benefits organizations aiming to improve equity and career outcomes.Okafor, O. N., & Kalu, K. (2023). Integration challenges, immigrant characteristics and career satisfaction for immigrants in the field of accounting and finance: An empirical evidence from Canada (external link) . Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 102602.