Success Without Upward Mobility: Evidence from Small Accounting Practices (Survey‪)‬

Introduction One dictionary defines "success" as: "1. a favorable result that one has tried or hoped for. 2. the attainment of wealth, fame, etc. 3. a successful person or thing" (Random House, 1978: 885). These definitions make it clear that on one level success is a subjective matter. In our day-to-day world, most often "successes" are portrayed in the media as those individuals who have wealth, fame or power (for example, Donald Trump, Julia Roberts, George W. Bush). Less famous people also see themselves as successful in terms of career, family or community stature.