Recent Graduates Face Grim Financial Reality according to Accounting Principals Survey

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rising tuition costs and excessive borrowing have left many recent graduates struggling to afford the basic living necessities, according to findings from Accounting Principals' latest Workonomix survey. Although Congress took decisive action to stop student loan interest rates from rising, many recent grads are still grappling with high debt upon graduation. According to Accounting Principals' survey a majority (68 percent) of recent graduates are leaving school with an average of nearly $40,000 of debt.  Most of this debt has been accrued through student loans ($27,029); however, recent graduates also leaned heavily on other debt – like credit cards - to get them through college, amassing an average of $12,742 of nonstudent loan debt upon graduating.

Interestingly, debt statistics also seem to cut across gender lines; survey results indicated that male graduates accrued more debt on average than their female counterparts. The survey found that male graduates owed 28 percent more in student loans than female graduates ($30,508 vs. $23,892, respectively). Male grads also tapped more heavily into their credit cards during college, accruing twice as much credit card debt than female graduates ($17,858 vs. $8,574).

Regardless of who borrowed the most in college, recent graduates are finding it difficult to stay financially afloat after graduating. The survey found that 42 percent of recent graduates thought they would have more disposable income once they graduated. However, the reality of being a recent grad has proven to be more challenging – 83 percent of those surveyed cannot afford all of the basic living necessities including groceries, rent, cell phone, car, and student loan repayments.

"The most surprising finding in our Workonomix survey was the massive amount of debt these graduates had to take on to pursue a higher education," said Jodi Chavez, senior vice president of Accounting Principals. "Entering the job market as a recent graduate is always stressful, but leaving school with this amount of debt puts added pressure on the newly employed."

According to the survey, recent graduates would have been more proactive about their finances during college had they known more about the cost of living.  Approximately one-third of recent grads would have pursued more scholarships or financial aid options (35 percent), pursued a major that would have led to a higher paying job (31 percent), or gotten a job while in college and started saving earlier (31 percent).

However, despite their regrets graduates are being proactive about their finances-- and would like to be able to turn to their employers for help.  More than two-thirds (68 percent) of those surveyed said their employer does not provide financial education courses, but nearly half (48 percent) would participate in them if offered.

"Employers are in a unique position to help entry level workers navigate the challenges of being a recent graduate.  They can offer inexpensive lunch-and-learn sessions that provide an overview of the basics of personal finance," said Chavez.  "As a recent grad looking for employment, contact a recruiter who is willing to put in the time to coach you on your interviewing skills, help you improve your resume, and connect you with the right opportunities that will allow you to focus on the future and not the financial burden of your past."

For the full results of the Workonomix survey, visit the Accounting Principals press room.

Workonomix Survey Methodology

Accounting Principals polled recent grads with a four-year degree about their debt, salary, disposable income, and finance knowledge as a recent graduate.  The telephone survey was conducted from May 25 – June 2, 2012 and included 507 graduates of a four-year degree program between the ages of 22-26.  The survey was fielded by Braun Research and the survey results have a margin of error +/- 4.37% for this sample size.

About Accounting Principals
Accounting Principals is a leader in the recruitment and placement of accounting and finance professionals, offering a complete range of workforce solutions in accounting, finance, mortgage and banking. Our nationwide branch network consists of experienced professionals that average five years of real-world accounting experience plus more than five years of finance and accounting recruitment experience. In addition to providing clients with a combination of temporary staffing, temp-to-hire and direct placement services, Accounting Principals also helps clients overcome their challenges through an in-depth understanding of their business needs. For more information, please visit www.accountingprincipals.com.

SOURCE Accounting Principals