Integration challenges, immigrant characteristics and career satisfaction for immigrants in the field of accounting and finance: An empirical evidence from Canada

Although immigrants are subject to structural and cultural vulnerability, little attention has been devoted to understanding the integration challenges they face in building a career in accounting and finance. This study investigates those challenges and addresses how such challenges and immigrant characteristics influence career satisfaction. The study draws on the life course perspective to survey Canadian immigrants. It finds that the integration challenges are multidimensional, comprising workplace discrimination, non-recognition of foreign education and experience, and ethnic differences, where the devaluation of prior education and experience is the worst challenge for new Canadian immigrants. Further, workplace discrimination and devalued education and experience negatively influence career satisfaction. However, ethnic differences exert no significant effect on career satisfaction. Evidently, this study is the first to measure dimensions of immigrant integration challenges and how they relate to career satisfaction. The identified challenges and suggestions may be of benefit to enterprises, government institutions, and professional bodies that aim to improve inclusion, equity, and career outcomes.