Accountants are feeling happier at work and more financially secure this year compared to last according to a survey by the Chartered Accountants' Benevolent Association (CABA).

The charity's second annual Wellbeing Survey looking at the work and personal lives of chartered accountants found the majority are content in their careers, with 14% 'extremely happy' and 49% 'happy'.

Chartered accountants working in practice tend to feel more valued, enjoy greater job security and have a more manageable workload, according to the findings. By contrast, 33% of those in larger organisations mention that long hours are an issue and 49% say that their company does not have enough personnel for the current workload.

There has also been a marked increase in feelings of financial security over the past year , with 24% of accountants saying they are now 'extremely secure' compared with 18% a year earlier. The percentage of accountants who have seen redundancies in their workplace during the last year remains unchanged at 38%.

Despite this, stress remains a common theme, with 32% of accountants reporting feeling stressed in their day-to-day life, as was the case last year. However, the proportion who have taken time off work due to stress has almost doubled since the first survey, up from 8% to 15%.

Kath Haines, CABA chief executive, said: 'There is a theme running through the Wellbeing Report that the worst of the recession is finally over and that some growth, however muted, is now on the way. However, it is also very clear that the negative impact of the credit crunch on individuals working within the profession is continuing and will be felt for some time.'