Analysis of Job Sustainability, Risks, and Opportunities of Filipino Accountants in the Virtual Workforce

Abstract

This study examines the job sustainability of Filipino accountants in the virtual workforce by analyzing their demographic and professional profiles, perceived opportunities and risks, coping mechanisms, and the relationships among these variables, with the aim of developing a structured sustainability plan. Using a quantitative descriptive–correlational design, data were collected from 30 Filipino accountants engaged in virtual accounting services in Naga City through a structured questionnaire utilizing a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize respondent characteristics and levels of perceived opportunities, risks, and coping mechanisms, while Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between demographic variables and coping strategies related to technostress, isolation, and workload. Findings indicate that the virtual accounting workforce is predominantly composed of young, early- to mid-career professionals who report high levels of perceived opportunities, particularly in professional networking, skills development, global market access, and entrepreneurial prospects. However, respondents also experience significant risks, including technostress, workload pressures, job insecurity, and professional isolation. Results further reveal that coping mechanisms vary across demographic groups, suggesting that individual and professional attributes influence how virtual accountants manage job demands. Based on these findings, a sustainability plan anchored in economic, social, and professional dimensions is proposed to enhance career resilience, digital adaptability, and long-term employability. The study concludes that while virtual accounting offers substantial opportunities, sustainable career development requires continuous upskilling, adaptive coping strategies, and supportive institutional frameworks, contributing localized evidence to the limited literature on virtual accounting in the Philippine context.