Most can name at least one celebrity trainer, nutritionist, or even gardener, but researchers say there are no celebrity accountants - and it could be a good thing.

Frances Miley of the University of New South Wales and Andrew Read of the University of Canberra say it could be to do with the stereotypes around accountancy.

They say that while recruitment advertising by the professional accounting bodies often portrays jobs as fitting an “ambitious person who seeks an exciting and rewarding career”, the stereotype of the ideal accountant is one of a dull and boring person focused only on counting the beans, having a keen eye for detail, and few social skills.

“These views seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum,” the team reports.

Research into career choices has shown that most would-be accountants see the substantial financial rewards expected of the career as being attractive, and that students also believe the stereotypes to be accurate.

The team contend that, “if the recruitment advertising by the accounting profession is successful in changing the stereotype of the accountant that has long been entrenched in popular culture, instead of being beneficial to the accounting profession, it would be deleterious”.

“Hence, there is benefit in the accounting profession trying to maintain the stereotype.”

But team found that there is also something sinister about the retention of stereotypes, as it would not serve the profession for anyone to attempt to change that stereotype, which would most likely prove impossible regardless.

They suggest that, “Although a constructed and mythical view of the accountant, the stereotype allows the accounting profession to maintain its exclusivity and accountants to hide their power”.